Effect of Feed Withdrawal on Composition and Quality of Broiler Meat

The effect of feed withdrawal or total withdrawal (simultaneous feed and water withdrawal) on the composition and quality of broiler meat was evaluated. Feed or water or both were withdrawn 0, 6, 12, or 18 h before slaughter. A gradual and significant (P less than .05) increase in weight loss was seen as hours of withdrawal increased. Overall, birds subjected to feed withdrawal treatments experienced a 3.8% shrinkage; birds on total withdrawal treatments lost 4.4% in body weight. Percentage of water uptake during chilling increased gradually as feed withdrawal time increased. Birds on total withdrawal absorbed water in this fashion until 18 h of chilling, when there was a sharp and significant drop in water uptake. No significant differences were found among treatments for precook and cooked weights, cooking loss, total loss, proximate analysis, and shear. Withdrawal times for feed or feed and water did not influence the tenderness or flavor of breast or thigh meat.