Lower gut contents of broiler chickens withdrawn from feed and held in cages
1991
Papa, C.M.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate We effect of feed withdrawal on the amount and condition of lower gut contents in broiler chickens. A total of 168 birds was use&, there were seven treatments of feed withdrawal before slaughter. Data were combined into the following periods (hours of withdrawal) for statistical analysis: Period 1 = 0 and 4 h; Period 2 = 8 and 12 h; and Period 3 = 16, 20, and 24 h. Birds were killed by ether inhalation. Results indicated an increased production of excreta DM and greater loss of BW for birds subjected to the longer periods of withdrawal. The amounts of gross contents in the small intestine, ceca, colon, and cloaca were greater for Period 1 than for Periods 2 add 3. Percentages of moisture in the contents of these segments differed, as follows: in the small intestine, no differences were detected among periods; in the colon and cloaca, moisture content was lower for Period 1 than for Period 3, and no difference was detected between Periods 2 and 3; in the ceca, moisture content was higher for Period 1 than for Period 3, but again, no difference was detected between Periods 2 and 3. Cecal material was observed in the colon only 15 times, and the numbers in each period were about equal. Ether inhalation almost entirely eliminated peri-mortem excretion. In conclusion, the scheduling of feed withdrawal to occur within Period 2 (withdrawal 8 and 12 h before slaughter) seemed adequate for minimizing the potential of fecal contamination during preslaughter handling.
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