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

The influence of time off feed on broiler viscera weight, intestinal d iameter, 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 proventricu lus-ventriculus junction, jejunum, and ileum segments were measured, a s were gallbladder length and width. Thoracic and abdominal viscera, L iver, and ventriculus weights were determined, and liver surface color was measured. Percentage body weight loss increased with longer feed withdrawal periods, as viscera, Liver, and ventriculus weights decreas ed. Gallbladder length increased with time off feed, whereas its width did not change. Diameter of the proventriculus-ventriculus junction, jejunum, and ileum decreased with longer feed withdrawal periods. Shea r values for the proventriculus-ventriculus junction, jejunum, and ile um were not influenced by time off feed. Positive correlations (P < 0. 05 and r > 0.4) between viscera weight and intestinal diameter were de tected. Correlations between all measured parameters and sheer values were not significant. Liver color measurements indicated that longer S eed withdrawal periods resulted in significant linear decreases in L (Lightness), +a (redness), and +b* (yellowness). Longer feed withdraw al periods decreased viscera weight and intestinal diameter, which wou ld lower the potential for cutting the intestine during automated evis ceration. However, the resulting greater gallbladder length (5 mm) wou ld increase the possibility of bile contamination during evisceration.