Selection of an effective sampling plan for the post mortem inspection of poultry

Abstract

Poultry industry has been gaining prominence in the field o f Animal Agriculture during the recent years; along with that there is a trend of consumers to buy the best food at a least cost. Inspection is a major process, which is commonly used by poultry manufacturing agencies as a promising technique assuring the quality of broiler meat. Therefore this study was conducted, to find out an effective sampling plan for post mortem inspection of poultry. Random and systematic sampling methods were selected for testing, while visual observations of characters were selected for the checklist. Visual observations were done to observe on pathological defects, emaciation, ammonia burns, bruising, breaking of wings and legs, inadequate bleeding, dark coloured carcasses, fecal and bile contamination. Control charts were drawn for wing tip bruises, breast bruising, bile contamination, fecal contamination and wing bone breaking. There was no significant difference (P>0.01) between the two sampling methods and however the systematic sampling was considered as easier than random sampling. Inadequate bleeding and ammonia burns were almost absent in bird carcasses on arrival at the plant. The upper limit of average fraction defectives determined for wing tip bruises, breast bruising, bile contamination, fecal contamination and wing bone breaking were: 0.3185, 0.2837, 0.0746, 0.1356, and 0.1433 respectively. Fecal contamination and leg bruising had over controlled points, so they should be statistically controlled. Further studies are required for determination of upper control limits for other important characters.