Pre-slaughter mortality among turkeys related to their transport

Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

This opinion, produced upon a request from the European Commission, focuses on transport of domestic birds and rabbits in containers (e.g. any crate, box, receptacle or other rigid structure used for the transport of animals, but not the means of transport itself). It describes and assesses current transport practices in the EU, based on data from literature, Member States and expert opinion. The species and categories of domestic birds assessed were mainly chickens for meat (broilers), end-of-lay hens and day-old chicks. They included to a lesser extent pullets, turkeys, ducks, geese, quails and game birds, due to limited scientific evidence. The opinion focuses on road transport to slaughterhouses or to production sites. For day-old chicks, air transport is also addressed. The relevant stages of transport considered are preparation, loading, journey, arrival and uncrating. Welfare consequences associated with current transport practices were identified for each stage. For loading and uncrating, the highly relevant welfare consequences identified are handling stress, injuries, restriction of movement and sensory overstimulation. For the journey and arrival, injuries, restriction of movement, sensory overstimulation, motion stress, heat stress, cold stress, prolonged hunger and prolonged thirst are identified as highly relevant. For each welfare consequence, animal-based measures (ABMs) and hazards were identified and assessed, and both preventive and corrective or mitigative measures proposed. Recommendations on quantitative criteria to prevent or mitigate welfare consequences are provided for microclimatic conditions, space allowances and journey times for all categories of animals, where scientific evidence and expert opinion support such outcomes.

Astragalus polysaccharide alleviates transport stress-induced heart injury in newly hatched chicks via ERS-UPR-Autophagy dependent pathway

Transport stress (TS) not only affects animal welfare but also eventually leads to higher morbidity and mortality. Moreover, TS could induce heart injury in animals, but the possible mechanism has yet to be fully explored. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a main active component of Radix Astragali, which has an extensive anti-stress effect. However, the effect of APS on TS-induced heart injury has not yet been elucidated. In this study, a chick model of simulated TS was used. 240 newly hatched chicks were arranged into 4 groups: Control (Con), Transport group (T), Transport + water group (TW), and Transport + APS group (TA). Before transport, the chicks of the TW and TA groups were treated with deionized water and APS (0.25 mg/mL, 100 µL) by oral drops respectively. The histopathological analysis of myocardial tissue was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. qRT-PCR and Western Blotting assays were employed to measure the expression of genes and proteins. Semiquantitative PCR was performed for the X box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1) mRNA splicing assay. The results indicated that APS significantly reduced TS-induced myocardial histopathological changes. Meanwhile, TS induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), evidenced by an activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway and up-regulation of ERS-markers (P < 0.05). Moreover, TS markedly triggered autophagy induction by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), reflected by augmented LC3-II/LC3-I, AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy-related genes (ATGs) expression (P < 0.05). Importantly, our study manifested that treatment of APS could reduce TS-induced ERS and AMPK-activated autophagy, accordingly alleviating heart injury of transported chicks. In summary, these findings indicate that TS induces heart injury in chicks via an ERS-UPR-autophagy-dependent pathway, and APS as an effective therapeutic method to alleviate it.

Effects of Season, Plumage Colour, and Transport Distance on Body Weight Loss, Dead-on-Arrival, and Reject Rate in Commercial End-of-Lay Hens

Simple Summary

The transport conditions of end-of-lay hens to slaughterhouses are essential for their welfare. In this study, the effect of season, plumage colour, and transport distance on body weight loss, dead-on-arrival rates, and reject rates was examined. Transport-related data of 31.6 million end-of-lay hens over a two-year period from one slaughter plant in Turkey were analysed. Hens transported in the winter and spring seasons had a greater body weight loss and reject rates. Brown-feathered hens had a higher death rate, while white-feathered hens had a higher body weight loss and reject rate. Hens transported longer distances for slaughter had increased body weight loss, death rates, and reject rates. These results indicate that more care should be taken when transporting end-of-lay hens in cold weather and over longer transport distances. We suggest the transport should be reduced to a certain distance, and improved conditions ought to be provided to mitigate losses.

Abstract

Transport conditions of end-of-lay hens are important for their welfare. This study investigated the effects of season, plumage colour, and transportation distance on the welfare of end-of-lay hens. Retrospective data from 31,667,274 end-of-lay hens transported to a poultry slaughterhouse in Turkey were analysed. The mean body weight loss, dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate, and reject rate were 3.723%, 1.397%, and 0.616%, respectively. The effects of season, plumage colour, and transport distance on the evaluated parameters were all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The highest body weight loss was found in winter, while the lowest body weight loss was found in autumn. The average DOA rate was highest in spring and lowest in autumn. The highest average reject rate was found in spring (0.630%). Body weight loss, DOA rates, and reject rates were also significantly different among white and brown hens (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.016, respectively). The highest body weight loss and reject rates were found in white plumage hens, while the highest DOA rate was found in brown plumage hens. The body weight loss and DOA rate were positively correlated with transportation distance (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that more preventive measures should be taken during the transport of end-of-lay hens, especially in cold seasons such as winter, and over longer transport distances, in regard to the welfare of these animals. Additionally, the transport of these animals should be lessened to a certain distance.

The Health and Welfare of Rabbits as Indicated by Post-Mortem Findings at the Slaughterhouse

Simple Summary

Veterinary inspection at the slaughterhouse plays an important role in the surveillance system for animal health and welfare. The study focused on the quantification and identification of pathological findings in rabbits slaughtered at the slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic in the period from 2010 to 2019. The ratio of the number of pathological findings to the total number of rabbits slaughtered was 0.0214, i.e., for every hundred rabbits, 2.14 findings were made documenting the impairment of health and/or welfare to an extent leading to pathological changes detected during the post-mortem inspection of the rabbits at the slaughterhouse. The pathological findings that occurred most often were those on the limbs (0.84%), trunk (0.71%), kidneys (0.17%), and liver (0.05%), along with generalized changes (0.37%). The results show that findings on the limbs and trunk were dominated by findings of traumatic origin. Findings in the kidneys and liver were most often of a chronic nature. Findings of abscesses were most frequent among generalized findings.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess post-mortem findings according to their localization and the nature of damage and to assess the standard of health and welfare of farmed rabbits on the basis of these findings. A total of 40,206 pathological findings were recorded in 1,876,929 rabbits slaughtered at slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic in the period from 2010 to 2019. Pathological findings on the limbs (0.84%), the trunk (0.71%), the kidneys (0.17%), and the liver (0.05%), along with generalized changes (0.37%), occurred most frequently. Findings of traumatic origin dominated among findings on the limbs and trunk, which indicates the inappropriate housing and handling rabbits on farms and during transport. Findings in the kidneys and liver were most often of a chronic nature having an evident correlation with the diet of intensively fed rabbits, with shortcomings in the diet having an impact on the parenchyma with chronic manifestations in the liver and kidneys. Among the generalized findings, multiple abscesses, which were probably associated with the infection of injuries occurring during fattening, and emaciation resulting from current husbandry practices, leading to insufficient feed intake or the development of disease in some individuals, predominated.

Welfare of end-of-lay hens transported for slaughter: effects of ambient temperature, season, and transport distance on transport-related mortality

The transport of end-of-lay hens for slaughter presents a particular cause for concern in relation to hen welfare due to their less robust condition. During the period of 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017, 17,436,074 end-of-lay hens transported for slaughter in 3,144 consignments were monitored, i.e., all hens transported from Czech farms to slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic in the monitored period. The overall mortality of hens during transport for slaughter was 0.516%. A significant (P < 0.05) impact of outside temperature and month of the year on transport-related mortality was found. Lower outside temperature was connected with the increased hen mortality and vice versa. Correspondingly, more deaths of end-of-lay hens occurred in the cold winter months of January (0.717%) and December (0.695%); on the contrary, the lowest death rates were recorded in August (0.364%). Differences were also found when comparing transport-related mortality rates according to the transport distance. The lowest mortality (0.338%) was found in hens transported for distances up to 50 km; longer distances were associated with increasing (P < 0.05) death rates, with the greatest losses (0.801%) recorded for distances from 201 to 300 km. These findings document the need for increased care for end-of-lay hens during their transport for slaughter in the winter at lower outside transport temperatures, in particular below 0°C (e.g., by adequate temperature regulation in the means of transport), and of hens transported over longer distances (if the transport distance cannot be reduced).

Effects of cold exposure on physiology, meat quality, and behavior of turkey hens and toms crated at transport density

The impact of cold exposure while crated at a density characteristic of transport (83 kg/m2) was assessed in 12-wk-old turkey hens and 16-wk-old toms. Turkeys (72 toms, 72 hens) were randomly divided into 3 male and 3 female groups: 2 moderate 20°C groups with either 30% or 80% RH and a cold group exposed to -18°C, with uncontrolled, high RH. Groups of 8 birds (one replicate unit) were observed in a climate-controlled chamber for 8 h prior to slaughter. Core body temperature (CBT), live shrink, heterophil-lymphocyte ratio (HLR), and change in blood glucose levels were assessed; meat quality measures included thigh and breast muscle pH and L*, a*, and b* color values. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. Live shrink in hens exposed to -18°C (2.8%) was greater (P = 0.001) than those in the 20°C treatments (1.5%). CBT in hens had a tendency to decrease (P = 0.070); no differences in Δ blood glucose or HLR were detected. Thigh pH was higher in the -18°C treatment (hens: 6.39; toms: 6.08) than in both 20°C groups. Color values (L*, a*, and b*) were measured 27 h postmortem. In the -18°C exposed hens, breast L* values were lower, and thigh a* and breast b* values were higher than in both 20°C treatments. No differences were detected in live shrink, CBT, HLR, or color values among toms. Behavior differences were noted between treatments; more time was spent huddling, shivering, preening, and with feathers ptiloerected in cold-exposed turkeys. Generally, cold exposure resulted in higher live shrink, darker meat with greater redness, and a tendency for CBT and blood glucose to decrease, with larger male turkeys experiencing fewer changes.

Assessment of turkey vehicle container microclimate on transit during summer season conditions

This study evaluated the formed microclimate commercial truck transport practices effects on the turkeys' welfare by measuring Dead on Arrival (DOA) index and pale, soft, and exudative (PSE-like) meat occurrence. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a 6 × 2 factorial arrangements (two truck container compartments × six water shower groups) with birds positioned at superior front (SF), inferior front (IF), superior middle (SM), inferior middle (IM), superior rear (SR), and inferior rear (IR) and two bath treatments: with water shower (WiS) and without water shower (WoS) with eight replications for each treatment. The animals were transported for 95 min' journey from the farm to the slaughterhouse under hot-humidity conditions. The results shown herein indicated the formation of a thermal core at the inferior middle and rear truck container regions, because the heat produced by the birds and the influence of developed microclimate consisting of temperature, relative humidity, and air ventilation. The IM and IR container compartments under the WoS treatment presented the highest (P < 0.01) numbers of PSE-like meat incidence and DOA index values compared with those located at the front under WiS treatment as the consequence of the altered to birds unbearable conditions within the container microclimate in transit. The formed microclimate during the commercial transport practices under hot-humidity conditions affected the bird's welfare consequently turkey meat qualities.

Mortality in rabbits transported for slaughter

During transport rabbits may be exposed to various stressors which can compromise both their welfare and meat quality. Mortality related to the commercial transport of rabbits for slaughter was analyzed in the Czech Republic in the period from 2009 to 2016. The overall transport-related mortality of rabbits was 0.19%. Transport distance was found to have an impact on rabbit mortality; significantly (p < .001) greater losses were found in rabbits transported over longer distances. Mortality rates ranged from 0.02% in rabbits transported over distances of less than 50 km to 0.29% in rabbits transported over distances exceeding 400 km. A significantly (p < .001) increased risk was also associated with shipments in which 500 and more rabbits were delivered per batch. No effect of season was found. Our results show that rabbits can be transported within a wide range of temperatures (from -5 to 19.9°C) with no negative impact on mortality in transit. However, journeys carried out at temperatures below -5°C and above 20°C were associated with increased death losses (0.17% and 0.15%, respectively).