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According to the Cobb Broiler Management Guide, what is the optimal window of time off feed before processing?

  1. 4-6 hours

  2. 6-8 hours

  3. 8-12 hours

  4. 12-16 hours

The correct answer is: 8-12 hours

The optimal window of time off feed before processing broilers is 8-12 hours. This duration is recommended to ensure that the birds have properly emptied their digestive tracts, which can help reduce the risk of contamination during processing. When broilers are off feed for this specified time, it not only facilitates a cleaner processing operation but also helps to improve meat quality and yield. Before this time frame, the digestive system may still contain food that could lead to issues such as spoilage and microbial contamination during processing. Conversely, keeping birds off feed for longer periods than the recommended 8-12 hours could lead to stress in the animals and negatively impact their overall health and well-being. This understanding aligns with industry practices aimed at optimizing both the handling and quality of broiler meat, ensuring high standards are maintained throughout the processing workflow.