The Effects of Pre-Slaughter Fasting Periods on Tonic Immobility, Slaughter, Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Medium- and Fast-Growing Broiler Chickens

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i3.777-786.7596

Keywords:

Broiler, pre-slaughter fasting period, tonic immobility, breast pH, breast color, striped and woody breast

Abstract

In this study, the effects of pre-slaughter fasting periods (8, 12, and 16 h) on stress levels, body weight loss, slaughter, carcass, and meat quality characteristics were investigated in broiler chickens with different growth rates (medium and fast-growing). In the experiment, 15 male and 15 female broilers each from the ANADOLU-T A1 (medium growing) dam line and ROSS-308 hybrid (fast growing) at 42 days of age were used. Body weight losses did not differ significantly among fasting periods, but medium-growing broilers exhibited higher body weight losses across all fasting groups (P<0.05). The carcass yield was higher in fast-growing broilers (P<0.05), while abdominal fat ratios were higher in medium-growing broilers (P<0.05). The amount of residual feed in the gizzard, digestive system, and gizzard ratios decreased with increasing fasting duration (P<0.05). Digestive system ratios also differed between genotypes (P<0.05). An increase in breast ratio was observed with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). On the other hand, the fast-growing genotype had higher breast ratios, lower wing ratios, lower back ratios, and lower neck ratios (P<0.05). Fasting periods did not significantly affect the L*, a*, and b* color values of breast and thigh meat, but differences between genotypes were significant, with higher values observed in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Breast pH values did not differ among fasting periods but were higher in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Thigh pH values, however, varied significantly between fasting periods and genotypes (P<0.05). The medium-growing genotype had higher thigh pH values, and thigh pH increased with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). White striping and woody breast scores in breast muscles were higher in the fast-growing genotype, with partial increases observed as fasting duration increased. In conclusion, the results indicate that a 12-h pre-slaughter fasting period is sufficient for digestive tract clearance and carcass quality. However, meat quality defects in fast-growing genotypes should be monitored.

References

Ali, A., Harrison, A., & Jensen, J. F. (1999). Effect of some ante-mortem stressors on peri-mortem and post-mortem biochemical changes and tenderness in broiler breast muscle: a review. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 55(4), 403-404.

Arthur, J. A., & Albers, G. A. A. (2003). İndustrial perspective on problems and associated with poultry breeding. In: Muir W.M., Aggrey, S.E., (Editors) Poultry Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, pp.1-12. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK.

Barbut, S. (1998). Estimating the magnitude of PSE problem in poultry. Journal of Muscle Foods, 9, 35-49.

Beraquent, N. J. (1999). Influencia de fatores ante e postmortem na qualidade da carne de aves. Revista Brasilleria de Ciencia Avicola, 1(3), 155-166.

Berri, C. (2000). Viability of sensory and processing qualities of poultry meat. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 56(3), 209-224.

Bianchi, M., Petracci, M., Sirri, F., Folegatti, E., Franchini, A., & Meluzzi, A. (2007). The influence of season and market class of broiler chickens on breast meat quality traits. Poultry Science, 86, 959-963.

Bilgili, S. F. (1988). Research Note: Effect of feed and water withdrawal on shear strength of broiler gastrointestinal tract. Poultry Science, 64, 920-924.

Bilgili, S. F. (1995). Minimizing broiler processing in the plant. In: Proceedings of the 30th National Meeting on Poultry Health and Processing, Ocean City, MD pp:13-15.

Bilgili, S.F. (2002). Slaughter quality as influenced by feed withdrawal. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 58, 123-130.

Bilgili, S. F., & Hess, J. B. (1997). Tensile strength of broiler intestines as influenced by age and feed withdrawal. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 6, 279-283.

Boschini, C. (2011). Antioxidantes na dieta de frangos de corte. Pelotas (RS): Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

Duke, G. E., Basha, M., & Noll, S. (1997). Optimum duration of feed and water removal prior to processing in order to reduce the potential for fecal contamination in turkeys. Poultry Science, 76, 516-522.

Fanatico, A. C., Pillai, P. B., Emmert, J. L. & Owens, C. M. (2007). Meat quality of slow- and fast-growing chicken genotypes fed low nutrient or standard diets and raised indoors or with outdoor access. Poultry Science, 86, 2245-2255.

Faucitano, L. (2018). Preslaughter handling practices and their effects on animal welfare and pork quality. Journal Animal Science, 96, 728-738.

Gewehr, C. E., Bedin, A. F. S., & Rosa, L. L. (2023). Meat quality of broiler chickens submitted to different times of pre-slaughter fasting. SEMİNA: Ciencias Agrarias, 44(4), 1429.

Grandin, T. (2017). On-farm conditions that compromise animal welfare that can be monitored at slaughter plant. Meat Science, 132, 52-58.

Jacobs, I., Delezie, F., Duchateau, I., Goethals, K., & Tuyttens, F. A. (2017). Impact of the seperate pre-slaughter stages on broiler chicken welfare. Poultry Science, 96, 266-273.

Karaçay, N., Ocak, N., Darica, M., & Erener, G. (2008). Effect of carbohydrate supplementation provided through drinking water during feed withdrawal on meat and liver colours in broilers. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 88, 479-484.

Khalil, S., Saenbungkhor, N., Kesnava, K., Sivapirunthep, P., Sitthigripong, R., Jumanee, S., & Chaosap, C. (2021). Effects of Guanidinoacetic Acid Supplementation on Productive Performance, Pectoral Myopathies, and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens. Animals, 11(11), 3180.

Kijowski, J., Kupińska, E., Stangierski, J., Tomaszewska-Gras, J., & Szablewski, T. (2014) Paradigm of deep pectoral myopathy in broiler chickens. World's Poultry Science Journal, 70, 125-138.

Komiyama, C. M., Mendes, A. A., Takahashi, S. E., Moreira, J., Garcia, R. G., Sanfelice, C., Borba, H. S., Leonel, F. R., Almeida Paz, I. C. L., & Balog, A. (2008). Chicken meat quality as a function of fasting period and water spray. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 10(3), 179-183.

Kuttappan, V. A., Hargis, B. M., & Owens, C. M. (2016). White striping and woody breast myopathies in the modern poultry industry: A review. Poultry Science, 95, 2724–2733.

Langkabel, N., Baumann, M. P. O., Feiler, A., Sanguankiat, A., & Fries, R. (2015). Influence two catching methods on the occurrence of lesions in broilers. Poultry Science, 94, 1735-1741.

Livingston, M. L., Landon, C., & Barnes, H. J. (2019). White striping and wooden breast myopathies of broiler breast muscle is affected by time-limited feeding, genetic background, and egg storage. Poultry Science, 98, 217-226.

Marx, B. P., Forsyth, J. P., Gallup, G. G., & Fusé, T. (2008). Tonic immobility as an evolved predator defense: Implications for sexual assault survivors. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 15(1), 74.

Mitchell, M. A., & Kettlewell, P. J. (1998). Physiological stress and welfare of broiler chickens in transit: solutions not problems. Poultry Science, 77, 1803-1814.

Mitchell, M. A., & Kettlewel, P. J. (2009). Welfare of poultry during transport – a review. Poultry Welfare Symposium, 90-100, Cervia, Italy, 18-22 May.

Northcutt, J. K. (2001). Preslaughter factors affecting poultry meat quality. In: Poultry Meat Processing (Edited Sams, A.R.), CRC Press, Washington, DC, pp. 5-18.

Northcutt, J. K., Savage, S. I., & Vest, L. R. (1997). Relationship between feed withdrawal and viscera condition of broilers. Poultry Science, 76, 410-414.

Oral Toplu, H. D., Aypak, S. Ü., Nazlıgül, A., & Kaya, M., 2021. Effects of feed restriction on the occurrence of white striping and wooden breast myopathies, performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 45, 632-641.

Pereira, R. E. P., Martins, M. R. F. B., Almeida Paz, I. C. L., Komiyama, C. M., Milbradt, E. L., & Fernandes, B. C. (2013). Effects of pre-slaughter fasting on broiler welfare, meat quality and intestinal integrity. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 15(2), 119-122.

Petracci, M., Bianchi, M., & Cavani, C. (2009). The European perspective on pale, soft, exudative conditions in poultry. Poultry Science, 88, 1518-1523.

Petracci, M., Mudalal, S., Soglia, F., & Cavani, C. (2015). Meat quality in fast-growing broiler chickens. World's Poultry Science Journal, 71(2), 363-374.

Petrolli, T. G., Junqueira, O. M., Domingues, C. H. F., Pereira, A. S. C., Santos, E. T., & Rocha, R. X. (2016). Effect of the addition of glucose, sodium bicarbonate, and vitamin E to the drinking water of pre-slaughter broiler chickens on carcass yield, gastric emptying and meat quality. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 18(1), 29-34.

Prieto, M. T., & Campo, J. L. (2010). Effect of heat and several additives related to stress levels on fluctuating asymmetry, heterophil: lymphocyte ratio, and tonic immobility duration in White Leghorn chicks. Poultry Science, 89(10), 2071-2077.

Saraiva, S., Saraiva, C., & Stillwell, G. (2016). Feather conditions and clinical scores as indicators of broiler welfare at slaughterhouse. Research in Veterinary Science, 107, 75-79.

Saraiva, S., Esteves, A., Oliveira, I., Mittchel, M., & Stilwell, G. (2020). Impact of pre-slaughter factors on welfare of broilers. Veterinary and Animal Science, 10, 100146.

Sarıca, M., Karaçay, N., & Çam, M. A. (1995). Kesim öncesi değişik açlık periyodlarının etlik piliçlerde bazı kesim ve karkas özelliklerine etkileri. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 19, 303-307.

Sarica, M, Yamak U. S., Turhan, S., Boz, M. A., Saricaoğlu, F. T., & Altop, A. (2014). Comparing slow-growing chickens produced by two- and three-way crossings with commercial genotypes. 2. Carcass quality and blood parameters. European Poultry Science, 78.

Sarica, M., Yamak, U. S., Boz, M. A., Erensoy, K., Cilavdaroglu, E., & Noubandiguim, M. (2019). Performance of fast, medium and slow growing broilers in indoor and free-range production systems. South African Journal of Animal Science, 49(6), 1127-1138

Sarıca, M., Erensoy, K., & Boz, M. A. (2024a). Etlik Piliç Yetiştiriciliği. Tavukçuluk Bilimi (Editörler M.Sarıca, M.Türkoğlu). s. 202-244. Elektronik Baskı 1, Turkish Jornal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, Books.

Sarıca, M., Türkoğlu, M., & Eleroğlu, H. (2024b) Tavuk Genetiği ve Islahı. Tavukçuluk Bilimi (Editörler M.Sarıca, M.Türkoğlu). s. 300-335. Elektronik Baskı 1, Turkish Jornal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, Books.

Schneider, A. F., & Gewehr, C. E. (2023). Pre-slaughter fasting times for broiler chickens. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 75(6), 1136-1142.

Siegel, P. B., & Honaker, C. F. (2014). General Principles of Stress and Well-being (Edited by T.Grandin). Livestock Handling and Transport (4th Ed.) Oxford, United Kingdom, CAB International 14-22, Theories and Applications.

Sterten, H., Oksbjerg, N., Froystein, T., Ekker, A. S., & Kjos, N. P. (2010). Effects of fasting prior to slaughter on pH development and energy metabolism post-mortem in M.longissimus dorsi of pigs. Meat Science, 84, 93-100.

Tijare, V. V., Yang, F. L., Kuttappan, V. A., Alvarado, C. Z., Coon, C. N., & Owens, C. M. (2016). Meat quality of broiler breast fillets with white striping and woody breast muscle myopathies. Poultry Science, 95, 2167–2173.

Trampel, D. W., Sell, J. L., Ahn, D. U., & Sebranek, J. G. (2005). Preharvest feed withdrawal affects liver lipid and liver color in broiler chicken. Poultry Science, 84, 137-142.

Trocino, A., Piccirillo, A., Birolo, M., Radaelli, G., Bertotto, D., Filiou, E., Petracci, M., & Xiccato, G. (2015). Effect of geneotype, gender and feed restriction on growth, meat quality and the occurrence of White striping and wooden breast in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 94, 2996-3004.

Veerkamp, C. H. (1986). Fasting and yield of broilers. Poultry Science, 65, 1299-1304.

Warriss, P. D., Kestin, S. N., Brown, E. A., & Bevis, E. A., 1988. Depletion of glycogen reserves in fasting broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 29(1), 149-154.

Warriss, P. D., Wilkins, L. J., Brown, S. N., Philips, A. J., & Allen, V. (2004). Defaecation and weight of the gastrointestinal tract contents after feed and water withdrawal in broilers. British Poultry Science, 45(1), 61-66

Wu, X., Zhou, Y., Lu, Z., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, T. (2024). Effect of pre-slaughter fasting time on carcass yield, blood parameters and meat quality in broilers. Animal Bioscience, 47(2), 315-322.

Xue, G., Cheng, S., Yin, J., Zhang, R., Su, Y., Li, X., Li, J., & Bao, J. (2021). Influence of preslaughter fasting time on weight loss, meat quality and carcass contamination in broilers. Animal Bioscience, 34(6), 1070-1077.

Downloads

Published

14.03.2025

How to Cite

Sarıca, M., Erensoy, K., Boz, M. A., Sivil, G., Çavdarcı, H., Aslan, R., & Karaçay, N. (2025). The Effects of Pre-Slaughter Fasting Periods on Tonic Immobility, Slaughter, Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Medium- and Fast-Growing Broiler Chickens. Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 13(3), 777–786. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i3.777-786.7596

Issue

Section

Research Paper