Effects of transport distance and the season of the year on death rates among hens and roosters in transport to poultry processing plants in the Czech Republic in the period from 1997 to 2004

Abstract

Poor welfare is the cause of high mortality among hens and roosters transported to poultry processing plants. In the Czech Republic, death rates among hens and roosters in transport to poultry slaughter plants were monitored between 1997 and 2004, and their total mortality rate was in the 0.925% ± 0.479% range. Death rates among hens and roosters were influenced by the transport distance to poultry processing plants. The percentage of dead birds increased from 0.592% ± 0.575% at transport distances up to 50 km to 1.638% ± 0.952% at transport distances up to 300 km. The bird mortality was also influenced by the season of the year. Higher mortality rates were ascertained during the cold months of the year, specifically in October through to April.

Keywords

• welfare
• stress
• poultry
• mortality
• transportation time
• ambient temperature
• winter months