Effect of feed withdrawal on yields, muscle pH, and texture of broiler breast meat

• Published in: Poultry science Vol. 70; no. 4; pp. 1020 - 1025
• Main Authors: Lyon, C.E. (USDA, ARS, Russell Research Center, Athens, GA), Papa, C.M, Wilson, R.L. Jr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.1991
• Subjects: ALIMENTACION RACIONADA; ALIMENTATION RATIONNEE; CANAL ANIMAL; CARCASSE; DESHUESADO; DESOSSAGE; MUSCLE; MUSCULOS; POLLO DE ENGORDE; POULET DE CHAIR; RENDEMENT EN VIANDE; RENDIMIENTO CARNICO; RESISTANCE MECANIQUE; RESISTENCIA MECANICA; TEMPS; TIEMPO
• ISSN: 0032-5791; 1525-3171
• DOI: 10.3382/ps.0701020

The effects of various feed withdrawal times on yields, pH and shear values of breast meat deboned 4 h post-mortem (PM) were determined. A total of 144 commercially ream female broilers was obtained from the holding area of a local processor, and housed for 5 days in floor pens to recover from the sam associated with import to the plant. After 5 days, the birds were placed in one of two finishing batteries for 48 h prior to feed withdrawal treatments. Feed withdrawal times were 0, 8, 16, or 24 h prior to slaughter. Measurements included live shrink, prechill and postchill carcass yields, breast meat yield, pH at 2 and 4 h PM, and shear values. There was a progressive loss in body weight as feed withdrawal time increased. The 0-h withdrawal treatment resulted in the lowest prechill yield. Quadratic effect of feed withdrawal on shear values was significant. Breast meat from the 0-h withdrawal treatment required more force to shear, 7.09 kg, than did the meat from the 8 and 16 h treatments, 5.84 and 5.78 kg, respectively, meat from the 24-h treatment required 6.01 kg. The results indicate that feed withdrawal schedules can affect not only the carcass yields but also the objective texture of broiler meat deboned 4 h PM