Feed withdrawal compositions and methods

Abstract

A feed withdrawal composition is described which includes at least 70% by weight of a low D.E. starch hydrolysate. Due to the high solubility and digestibility characteristics of the composition, the composition may be fed to the animal up to 1-2 hours prior to slaughter. The composition results in (1) improvement in live weight at slaughter; (2) increased product yield and/or quality; and (3) reduced risk of carcass contamination in comparison to conventional programs of total feed withdrawal prior to slaughter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A highly digestible feed withdrawal composition for emptying feed residue from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, comprising: 
 at least 70% by weight of a low D.E. starch hydrolysate.    
     
     
         2 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  wherein the starch hydrolysate is in solid or liquid form.  
     
     
         3 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  further including a water soluble, highly digestible protein source.  
     
     
         4 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 3  wherein the highly digestible protein source is selected from the group consisting of dehydrated egg powder, egg white, casein, ovalbumin, lactalbumin, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.  
     
     
         5 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 3  which includes up to 30% by weight of the highly digestible protein source.  
     
     
         6 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  which includes between about 80-85% by weight of the starch hydrolysate.  
     
     
         7 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  which includes between about 84-99.9% by weight of the starch hydrolysate.  
     
     
         8 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  further including a sodium salt.  
     
     
         9 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 8  wherein the sodium salt comprises from less than about 0.5-1.0% of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  further including an additive selected from one or more of electrolytes, vitamins, dextrose, and a dextrose equivalent.  
     
     
         11 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 10  wherein the electrolytes include a citrate salt.  
     
     
         12 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  which is in a form selected from the group consisting of a liquid composition and a solid phase particulate form composition.  
     
     
         13 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 1  wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of between about 15 to about 25.  
     
     
         14 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 13  wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of between about 15-20.  
     
     
         15 . The feed withdrawal composition according to  claim 14  wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of about 18.  
     
     
         16 . A method of emptying feed residue from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, comprising: 
 administering a feed withdrawal composition to the animal, whereby the composition comprises at least 70% by weight of a low D.E. starch hydrolysate.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the feed withdrawal composition is administered to the animal prior to slaughter.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  whereby the feed withdrawal composition is administered to the animal during the last 24 hours prior to slaughter.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  whereby the feed withdrawal composition is administered to the animal up to about 1-2 hours prior to slaughter.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the feed withdrawal composition is administered to a monogastric meat animal.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16  whereby the feed withdrawal composition is administered to the animal ad libitum.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 16  whereby the feed withdrawal composition administered has a D.E. of between about 15-25.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15  whereby the feed withdrawal composition includes about 80-85% by weight starch hydrolysate.  
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing a feed withdrawal composition for emptying feed residue from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, comprising: 
 formulating a feed withdrawal composition that comprises at least 70% by weight of a low D.E. starch hydrolysate.    
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24  further including the step of: 
 adding a highly digestible protein source to the low D.E. starch hydrolysate.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24  further including the step of: 
 mixing an additive selected from the group consisting of electrolytes, a component salt, vitamins, dextrose, a dextrose equivalent, and combinations thereof with the low D.E. starch hydrolysate.  
 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24  further including the step of: 
 combining the low D.E. starch with a carrier;  
 whereby the carrier does not substantially contribute to the formation of a residue in the lower gut contents of the animal.