Mortality rates in poultry species and categories during transport for slaughter.

摘要

The study was conducted to determine the transport-related mortality rates of various poultry species (broilers, hens and cockerels, turkeys, ducks and geese) between 1997 and 2006 in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. The mortality rates for individual poultry species and categories were calculated for the following transport distances of 50 km, 51-100 km, 101-200 km, 201-300 km and >300 km. Results revealed that transport of poultry for slaughter was accompanied by varying mortality rates depending on poultry species and categories. The highest mortality rates occurred in hens and cockerels (1.013%), followed by turkeys (0.272%), broilers (0.253%), ducks (0.103%) and geese (0.056%). Differences among the mortality rates estimated were highly significant (p<0.001). Mortality rates were highly correlated with transport distance. The lowest mortality rates were observed for the shortest transport distances, wherein the mortality rates in broilers, turkeys, hens and cockerels at 50 km were 0.154, 0.164 and 0.595%, respectively. On the other hand, ducks and geese mortality rates in 300 km were 0.069-0.111 and 0.021-0.053%, respectively. Highest mortality rates in hens and cockerels (1.892%), turkeys (0.341%) and broilers (0.536%) were observed at >200 km, while in ducks (0.147%) and geese (0.253%) at >300 km transport distance. The highest mortality rates for all transport distances were in hens and cockerels, followed by turkeys and broilers. The mortality rate in turkeys for a transport distance up to 50 km was significantly higher than in broilers. No significant differences were found between mortality rates in turkeys and broilers for transport distances of 51-100 km and 101-200 km, but the mortality rates for broilers were higher at a distance of 201-300 km and >300 km. The lowest mortality rates were observed in ducks and geese. Mortality rate in ducks was higher than geese at 51-100 km, while mortality rate in geese was higher at >300 km. It is suggested that susceptibility of poultry species to stress induced by transportation and transport distance (duration of transport) should be considered to minimize mortality and maintain animal welfare.