Carcass Quality Of Broilers Research Articles

The Effects of Halofuginone and Salinomycin, Alone and in Combination, on Live Performance and Skin Characteristics of Female Broilers: Influence of a High-Proline Diet Supplemented with Ascorbic Acid and Zinc

Live performance and carcass quality of female broilers were evaluated under four coccidiostat programs (CP) and two feed treatments. The CP consisted of halofuginone (H) and salinomycin (S), fed either continuously (HH and SS) or in rotational programs (HS and SH), during the starter (1 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 35 d) periods, respectively. All groups received an unmedicated withdrawal feed from 36 to 42 d. Feed treatments consisted of a control and a fortified diet high in proline and supplemented with additional ascorbic acid and zinc (50 birds per pen; 4 pens per feed; 8 pens per CP). In addition to live performance and skin puncture strength, carcass quality attributes following processing (at 43 d of age) were assessed.No CP by feed interactions were detected for any of the variables measured. The CP treatments did not differ for live performance. Birds on fortified feed were heavier at 21 d (P < .001) and had an improved feed conversion at 42 d (P < .05). Skin puncture strength was significantly reduced for the birds fed H, either in continuous (HH) or rotational programs (HS and SH). Skin sores-scratches and tears were lowest for the SS and SH groups. The HH treatment resulted in fewer grade A carcasses (P < .001). Halofuginone, when fed continuously or in the starter feed, affected carcass quality of broilers. Higher dietary proline or supplementation with ascorbic acid and zinc did not appear to alleviate the effects of halofuginone on skin quality.

The Use of Ultraviolet Radiation to Reduce Salmonella and Psychrotrophic Bacterial Contamination on Poultry Carcasses ,

Broiler carcasses were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) energy (doses range from 82,560 to 86,400 μWs/cm2) at wavelength of 253.7 nm to evaluate the potential of this treatment for improving the microbiological quality of broiler carcasses. Broiler chicken halves were inoculated with a marker strain of Salmonella typhimurium 5 min prior to treatment. A 61% reduction in viable S. typhimurium was observed in UV-treated chicken halves as compared with untreated halves. The UV energy treatment had no deleterious effects on color (Hunter L, aL, or bL) or 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. After 10 d of storage at 7 C, TBA values of thigh meat were 1.3 mg malonaldehyde/kg meat compared with 1.7 for controls. Psychrotrophic bacteria populations were not appreciably altered by UV treatment when their numbers were compared with bacterial counts obtained from untreated chicken halves held for 10 d at 7 C. This study suggests that UV radiation can reduce Salmonella surface contamination without negatively affecting carcass color or increasing rancidity of the meat.

Effects of dietary thyroxine on growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed different levels of dietary protein

Effects of dietary thyroxine on growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed different levels of dietary protein

Pareto Assessment of Quality Control in Poultry Processing Plants

The problems associated with carcass quality of broilers after processing and chilling was analyzed by Pareto analysis. Pareto analysis is a tool which can help identify problems by visually arranging defect in order of importance. Data obtained from a commercial poultry processing plant described 19 defects in carcass quality. The original data were divided into 15 lots, over 18 h of processing, with an average of 6,200 chickens per lot (range 5,600 to 8,200). The number of defects noted for a sample of 50 birds from each lot was averaged to use in Pareto analysis. A Pareto diagram was then plotted using a computer spreadsheet (Quatro Pro®). Three defect categories accounted for fifty percent of the total defects: breast trims (due to tears, blisters, etc.), wing and drum bruises. A Pareto analysis based on monetary loss attributed to the selected defects altered the order of priority. The highest value defects on a monetary basis were breast trims, breast bruises, and wing bruises. After corrective measures are made, an update Pareto diagram can be used to document improvements.

Effects of Dietary Nutrient Density on Performance and Carcass Quality of Broilers 42 to 49 Days of Age

Approximately 25% of the total feed consumed by broilers is eaten in the week prior to processing (from 42 to 49 days of age). Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of varying dietary nutrient density on performance and carcass characteristics of commercial strain broilers during this period. Broilers were fed nutritionally complete diets with 3200 ME kcal/kg until 42 days of age. From 42 to 49 days of age, they were fed pelleted diets formulated to contain 3080 to 3465 ME kcal/kg in increments of 55 ME kcal/kg. All essential nutrients were maintained in proportion to energy. Body weight gain (WG) and feed consumption (FC) were determined. Samples of birds were processed to determine carcass yield and abdominal fat content.Male and female broilers responded similarly to dietary differences in nutrient density. Regression analysis indicated a significant decrease in WG as nutrient density increased. There was a significant reduction in FC as nutrient density increased, with a concomitant reduction in feed required per unit of gain. Calorie intake was similar among treatments, but caloric efficiency (kcal ME/kg gain) was depressed significantly as nutrient density increased. Dressing percentage and abdominal fat content decreased significantly as nutrient density increased. These data indicate that the dietary density levels examined in this study influence feed intake and calorie utilization. The economics of modifying dietary nutrient density levels must be considered.

Effects of cimaterol (CL 263,780) on growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed on different levels of dietary protein and energy

Effects of cimaterol (CL 263,780) on growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed on different levels of dietary protein and energy

Bacteriological quality of broiler carcasses as affected by in-plant lactic acid decontamination

In an attempt to improve the bacteriological quality of broiler carcasses the bactericidal effect of treatments with 1% and 2% lactic acid was investigated. Bacterial colonisation was determined immediately after treatment, after the carcasses had been chilled and during storage at 0°C. Examination included numbers of mesophilic aerobic and psychrotrophic aerobic colony-forming units (CFU), CFU of Enterobacteriaceae at 37°C and CFU of Staphylococcus aureus. Immediately after treatment colonisation per gram skin was generally reduced by about 1 log. Initially 2% lactic acid was not found significantly more effective in reducing colony counts than 1%. However, treatment with 2% lactic acid suppressed post-decontamination colonisation with Enterobacteriaceae more effectively than 1% lactic acid, as determined after 15–18 days storage at about 0°C. Lactic acid treatment was most effective when applied shortly before chilling. Successive treatment at three different stages during slaughtering did not increase reduction of colony counts. It is concluded that decontamination with 1–2% lactic acid at pH 2, when applied shortly before chilling, will markedly improve the bacterial safety and increase the refrigerated shelf life of broiler carcasses.

The effects of dried poultry dropping (DPD) and dried activated sewage sludge (DASS) on broiler carcass quality

An experiment was conducted with 280 hubbard type broiler chicks, for 9 weeks, to evaluate the effect of dried poultry droppings (DPD) and dried activated sewage sludge (DASS) on broiler carcass quality. There were significant differences (P < 0·05) between treatments for percentage dressed carcass and total edible meat. DPD beyond the 5% level did not improve carcass quality, but birds on 5% DASS and DPD plus DASS mixture diets yielded carcasses of quality comparable with those on the control ration. There were no significant differences in cooked meat texture, tenderness and juiciness between the control and substituted diets, but taste scores for flavour indicated a preference for meat from broilers on the unsubstituted control diet, while meats from 10% DPD and DASS diets were the least palatable.

The replacement value of fish silage for fish meal in practical broiler rations

In a 9-week feeding experiment, 270 day-old broiler chicks were fed four dried fish silage-based diets as a substitute for fish meal. Optimum growth and feed efficiency were obtained with fish meal and neutral maize-fish silage diets. The acidic maize-fish silage and acidic cassava-fish silage diets gave the poorest performance and the highest ( P < 0·05) percentage mortality. Nitrogen- and lipid-retention values were significantly ( P < 0·5) influenced by dietary treatments. Metabolizable energy increased for fish meal but was uniformly low in all fish silage-based diets. The substitution of fish meal by fish silage also significantly reduced broiler carcass quality. Total edible meat, breast cuts and weights of giblets of fish meal and neutral maize-fish silage diets were not significantly different, but dressed and eviscerated carcass weights were significantly ( P < 0·05) highest in fish meal diets and lowest in acidic maize-fish silage and acidic cassava-fish silage diets. Costs of feed per kilogram diet and per kilogram body weight gain were only slightly reduced when fish silage substituted fish meal in broiler feed formulation.

Performance and Carcass Quality of Broilers Reared on Wire Flooring, Plastic Inserts, Wood Slats, or Plastic-Coated Expanded Metal Flooring Each with or Without Padded Roosts ,

Commercial straight-run broilers were reared on raised flooring in two experiments to study the effects on broiler performance and carcass quality of padded roosts and four raised floor types – wire, wood slats, plastic inserts over wire (Experiment 1) and plastic-coated expanded metal – and added dietary zinc bacitracin (Zb) at a level of 40 g per ton (909 kg) of feed (Experiment 2).In both experiments mean body weights, feed conversion ratios, percentages of mortality, and percentages of deformed legs were not significantly different among floor types. Floor types did not affect incidence of foot pad dermatitis or percent of body fat in Experiment 1 or folliculitis in Experiment 2.Feather soilage and folliculitis were significantly greater (P<.05) in broilers reared on wood slats with and without padded roosts than in birds reared on wire and plastic inserts. Occurrence of breast blisters was greater (P<.05) in broilers reared on wire without padded roosts than in birds reared on wood and plastic insert floor types. Feather soilage scores were significantly lower (P<.05) in broilers reared on wire both with and without padded roosts than for birds reared on expanded metal. Foot pad dermatitis scores and percentages of breast blisters were significantly higher (P<.05) in broilers reared on wire without padded roosts than for birds reared on wire with padded roosts or on expanded metal with and without padded roosts. Incidence of indented keels was significantly higher (P<.05) in broilers reared on wire and extended metal floors with roosts than for birds reared without roosts. The feeding of Zb did not affect broiler performance and carcass quality. Wood slats and plastic-coated expanded metal flooring with padded roosts showed some promise as raised floor types for rearing broilers.

Effect of Gaseous Preslaughter Environment on Chicken Broiler Meat Quality

Abstract The effect of preslaughter exposure to ammonia, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide on broiler carcass quality was studied in specially designed environmental chambers. Seventy-five birds were randomized into 15 treatments with 5 birds/treatment group and replicated, giving a grand total of 150 birds. The ammonia study included a control group, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm of ammonia exposure for 7 days prior to slaughter. Carbon dioxide treatments included a control group and 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 ppm exposure for 7 days. Carbon monoxide preslaughter exposure was for 2 hr using a control and 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 ppm of carbon monoxide. When compared to the control treatments, the following results were noted. Preslaughter exposure to ammonia of 75 ppm, or carbon dioxide of 5,000 ppm or greater, and carbon monoxide at 750 ppm significantly increased breast muscle shear values. Breast muscle pH was significantly increased at all levels of carbon dioxide, or 1,000 ppm of carbon monoxide, and significantly decreased at 25 ppm ammonia. The expressible moisture of the breast muscle was significantly increased at carbon monoxide exposures of 250, 500, and 750 ppm. Hunterlab aL values in the raw breast muscle were significantly higher at all levels of carbon monoxide exposure. Reflectance spectra of the thigh muscle from the 1,000-ppm carbon monoxide preslaughter treatment indicated a shift in the 580-nm oxymyoglobin peak to 570 nm, which likely corresponds to carboxymyoglobin. As shown by these data, the preslaughter gaseous environment influences muscle characteristics.

Using dehydrated poultry waste in poultry rations — A review

The use of dehydrated poultry waste (DPW) in poultry rations is reviewed. As a poultry feed, it is a substantial source of crude protein and is rich in calcium and phosphorus. Factors affecting composition of DPW are discussed. DPW as a feed for poultry has a relatively low energy value. Although nitrogen content is high, much is nonprotein (uric acid) and of limited use to nonruminate animals such as poultry. In some studies, DPW, when fed to broilers resulted in depressed growth rate and feed efficiency. More emphasis has been placed on feeding DPW to layers than to broilers, poults, or baby chicks. Experimental data indicate DPW can be used in layer rations in amounts up to 15% without important changes in production, feed efficiency, or egg size. In sensory tests on broilers, a triangle test was used to study flavor differences caused by feeding 0, 9.6, 19.1, or 38.2% DPW. Panel members could not accurately detect flavor differences between the two extreme treatments. Performance of the 38.2%-DPW group was poorest by live weight, eviscerated weight, and feed conversion. Carcass composition changes, studied by analyses of dark meat for protein, ether extract, calcium, phosphorus, and TBA value, showed no significant differences among treatments in any of those factors. It was concluded that feeding DPW had no noticeable effect on broiler carcass quality, though growth was somewhat depressed when feed contained 38.2% DPW. Thus DPW may be nearly 20% of broiler's feed. Research on the use of DPW in poultry rations is still needed. Utilization of DPW by turkeys, geese, ducks, and game birds may have great potential.

EXPERIMENTS WITH CONTINUOUS IMMERSION CHILLING OF BROILER CARCASSES ACCORDING TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE

ABSTRACTExperiments were carried out with an immersion chiller operated according to the Code of Practice for immersion chilling of broiler carcasses proposed by AVEC, the European Association of Poultry Producers. Chilling, water uptake and microbiological quality of the broiler carcasses were investigated. Total water consumption in two different weeks of experiments was 21/2 and 31/2 liters of water per carcass. The spray washer used 1 liter water per carcass during both weeks. In these experiments the average temperature of the carcasses after the chilling operation was well below 10°C (7.7°C and 7.2°C). The small differences in the average end temperatures make the use of 31/2 liter water per carcass unacceptable from an economic point of view. The water uptake was in agreement with the Code (below 8%). Microbiological quality of the immersion chilled broiler carcasses was slightly lowered by the process as case cleaning and disinfection of the equipment was inadequate. With proper equipment sanitation, microbiological condition of the carcasses was improved by spray cleaning and immersion chilling with a total water consumption of 21/2 liters of water per carcass.

Quality of Broiler Carcasses as Affected by Hot Water Treatments

Chilled whole eviscerated broiler carcasses were immersed in water at 24°, 38°, 49°, 60°, 66°, or 71° C. for either 1 or 3 minutes, with or without water agitation. The birds were then rechilled, individually bagged and stored at 4° C.For experiment 1 (without agitation), total counts of the breast skin were determined on days 0, 4, 7, 10, and 14. Birds immersed in 60° C. water showed a 1 log reduction per cm.2 in bacterial count immediately after treatment. Those receiving the 71° C. treatment showed a 2 log reduction and those below 60° C. showed a 0.5 log reduction. Carcasses treated at 60° C. and below spoiled after 7–9 days of storage at 4° C., while those receiving 71° C. did not spoil until the 10th day.For experiment 2 (with agitation), birds were sampled on days 0, 5, 7, and 9. Birds receiving 66° C. treatment and above showed about a 1 log reduction immediately after treatment, while those receiving 60° C. and below showed a 0.25 log reduction. All carcasses in experiment 2 spoiled between 8–9 days regardless of treatment temperature.Hot water alone, under these conditions, did not significantly extend shelf life and decrease initial count for batches of whole broiler carcasses.In both experiments carcasses receiving a 60° C. water treatment or higher exhibited a partially cooked appearance.

Effect of Hot Spray Washing on Broiler Carcass Quality

Broiler carcasses were spray washed with water at 20 or 30 p.s.i. at 21.1°, 54.4°, 60.0°, 65.6°, or 71.1° C. Microbial counts on skin were reduced about 1.0 log and shelf life was extended 1 to 2 days with spray of 65.6° or 71.1° C. Thorough inside-outside washing of carcasses at 71.1° C. added about 1 day shelf life over single-stage outside spray washing at 71.1° C. Net weight gain was greatest at 60.0°and was lowest at 21.1° and 71.1° C.; lowest net weight gain at highest temperature was probably due to melting and washing away of fat. Pressures of 20 and 30 p.s.i. were not significantly different in effect on microbial count or net weight gain. At 71.1° C., carcass appearance was consistently, but not greatly, inferior to appearance at the other wash temperatures.

The Effect of Environmental Flock Treatments on Broiler Carcass Quality

The effect on carcass quality of differential floor, waterer and feeder space treatments was estimated. Measurements on tenderness, cooking loss, moisture content, fat content, texture and color were determined. Results from a sensory taste panel revealed a statistically significant difference in toughness between birds grown in low and high density environments; birds grown under high density conditions exhibited more carcass tenderness. The results of the texture measurements provided supporting evidence as the muscle shearing force requirements were higher for birds from the low density pens; this difference approached significance at the 5% level.Moisture content, color, fat extract and cooking loss were unaffected by the rearing treatments except for feeder space by waterer space interaction for moisture content, and a feeder space effect on meat color which requires further research for substantiation of these results.