Autoclaving young broiler chicken bones for tissue removal may affect measured bone characteristics

The objective was to compare the effects of autoclaving and manual cleaning on bone characteristics in broiler chickens. Birds were fed three diets with different concentrations of calcium and phosphorus. Tissue was removed by using a scalpel or autoclaving at 100 °C for 1 min from the entire left and right legs collected on d 11 and 18. Autoclaving decreased ( p < 0.05) breaking strength and bone ash of femur and tibia except for bone ash of femur on d 18. In conclusion, autoclaving is not recommended for tissue removal from bones in young broiler chickens.