Effect of Transport Crate Position on Welfare of Laying Hens and Oxidative stress

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of crating position of laying hens during transport on live weight loss, mortality rate, plasma biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters under commercial transport conditions in Afyonkarahisar. A commercial multi-decked and fixed-crate-type poultry transport trailer was used for bird transportation. The hens were transported in 9 selected loading positions on the trailer's front, center, rear sections, and top, middle, and bottom rows. Both pre-transport and post-transport hens were weighed individually, and blood samples were taken. Live weight loss, mortality rate, glucose, MDA, AOA, and cortisol concentrations increased, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations decreased in the hens transported between farm and slaughterhouse. The hens loaded in the bottom row and rear section were most adversely affected by transportation and, the welfare loss of these hens was dramatic. It has been observed that the microclimate conditions of the transport crates in the bottom row are more unfavorable than those in the other positions. The results showed that transport crates positioned in the bottom row and rear section of the trailer were more stressful for laying hens. In conclusion, the potential stress profile of the position of the animal crates during transport can contribute to the strategic solutions to be developed to reduce the welfare losses of laying hens.