Abstract
The current study was conducted to determine the optimum length of feed withdrawal for pre-harvest broilers. A total of three hundred broilers were sampled from an industrial population, and 30 chicks for each weight group (e.g., 1.5 and 2.5 kg) were randomly assigned to feed withdrawal treatments for 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h. Weight loss, yield, muscle pH, objective meat color and weights of gastro intestinal contents, crop, gizzard, provenriculus, small intestine, caecum, and rectum were determined. Live weight loss was significantly (p<0.05) increased as length of feed withdrawal extended. A significant (p<0.05) carcass yield for both 1.5 and 2.5 kg groups coincided after 9 and 6 h feed withdrawal, respectively. Net weights of intestinal contents for crop and gizzard were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 6 h, and the reduction for proventriculus and small intestine occurred from 3 h. A noticeable effect of feed withdrawal on pH for breast muscle at 3 h postmortem occurred only when chicks were fasted for 3 h of which pH (6.05) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that for other groups including the control (5.74). There was a linear tendency of higher lightness (Hunter L* value) numerically for chicks fasted for longer periods. The highest coefficient of determinations of regression models to estimate weight loss as a function of fasting period and body weights were achieved, when the models included both linear and quadratic terms for fasting period, and linear term for both 1.5 (R 2 = 0.76) and 2.5 kg (R 2 = 0.78) body weight groups. Given the practical aspect, approximately 1.5 kg of body weight is dominant, weight loss could be predicted by the following function; live weight loss = 26.6-0.28x(fasting period)2+12.34xpasting period-0.012xbody weight, R 2 = 0.76. Current data implied that the optimum fasting time for pre-slaughter chicks varied depending on slaughter weight; 6 and 9-h fasting were recommendable for 2.5 and 1.5 kg chicks, with little effect on objective meat color.
Highlights
Consumers’ demands and expectations on safety and high quality for chicken meat have been elevated at the wake of the incidence of bird influenza across the world
For the same reason feed withdrawal of chicks prior to harvest is being considered a significant practice to ensure meat hygiene as feed could be one of the primary source of pathogenic contamination associated with gastro-intestinal content and its excrement (Hargis et al, 1995)
Taking the above reasons into account, chicken Statistical analysis industry across the world has attempted to determine the Least square mean and standard error of each treatment optimum length of feed withdrawal, under their industrial for weight loss, carcass yield, weight of gastrointestinal environment, to secure the best yield-with ensuring meat content, muscle pH and meat color were calculated by safety
Summary
Consumers’ demands and expectations on safety and high quality for chicken meat have been elevated at the wake of the incidence of bird influenza across the world Pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Campylobacter residue in gastro intestinal track, and cause the cross-contamination of meat during the process of slaughter and processing (Corrier et al, 1999). Taking the above reasons into account, chicken Statistical analysis industry across the world has attempted to determine the Least square mean and standard error of each treatment optimum length of feed withdrawal, under their industrial for weight loss, carcass yield, weight of gastrointestinal environment, to secure the best yield-with ensuring meat content, muscle pH and meat color were calculated by safety. Its effect on the prediction level (coefficients of determination) (SAS, 1996)
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