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Title: INFLUENCE OF TIME OFF FEED ON BROILER VISCERA WEIGHT, DIAMETER, AND SHEAR

Author
item BUHR, R. - UNIV OF GA
item NORTHCUTT, J. - UNIV OF GA
item Lyon, Clyde

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/22/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Market-age male broilers were subjected to incremental feed withdrawal periods (0, 6, 12, 18, or 24 h) prior to processing. The influence of these feed withdrawal periods on viscera weight, intestinal diameter, intestinal shear, and liver color was determined. Longer feed withdrawal periods resulted in lower slaughter body weight which was associated with lower viscera, liver, and gizzard weights. Gallbladder weight was not affected by time off feed, but gallbladder length increased, while its width did not change. Diameter of the intestines decreased with longer feed withdrawal periods. However, shear values for the intestines were not influenced by time off feed. Longer feed withdrawal periods resulted in livers that were darker, and less red and yellow. Longer feed withdrawal periods decreased viscera weight and intestinal diameter, which would lower the potential for cutting the intestine during automated evisceration. However, the resulting greater gallbladder length (5 mm) would increase the possibility of bile contamination during evisceration.

Technical Abstract: The influence of time off feed on broiler viscera weight, intestinal diameter and shear was studied by subjecting market-age male broilers (42, 44, or 48 d) to incremental feed withdrawal periods (0, 6, 12, 18, or 24 h). Body weight was determined prior to feed withdrawal and at the time of processing. After slaughter, scalding, and defeathering, the abdominal cavity was opened. Diameter and shear of the proventriculus-ventriculus junction, jejunum, and ileum segments were measured, as were gallbladder length and width. Abdominal viscera, liver, ventriculus, and gallbladder weights were determined, and liver surface color measured. Percentage body weight loss increased with longer feed withdrawal periods, as viscera, liver, and ventriculus weights decreased. Gallbladder weight at 48 d was not affected by time off feed, gallbladder length increased, while its width did not change. Diameter of the jejunum and ileum decreased with longer feed withdrawal periods. Shear values for the proventriculus-ventriculus junction, jejunum, and ileum were not influenced by time off feed. Positive correlations (P < 0.05 and r>0.4) between viscera weight and liver weight or intestinal diameter were detected. Liver color measurements indicated that longer feed withdrawal periods resulted in significant linear decreases in L (lightness), +a (redness), and +b (yellowness). Longer feed withdrawal periods decreased viscera weight and intestinal diameter, which would lower the potential for cutting the intestine during automated evisceration. However, the resulting greater gallbladder length (5 mm) would increase the possibility of bile contamination during evisceration.