Broiler Transport Research Articles

Decontamination of Poultry Transport Cages

Research has shown that broiler transport cages are an important bacteriological link between broiler production and processing facilities. Development of an adequate disinfection system is needed to eliminate or decrease the level of Salmonella entering the processing plant. A laboratory-sized model to simulate actual field conditions was designed and constructed. Sample pieces of contaminated poultry crating were tested in the system at different water temperatures, with and without sodium hypochlorite disinfectant, and with and without the presence of organic matter in the water bath. Regression equations were developed to estimate the Salmonella kill on different cage construction materials (i.e., steel, fiberglass, and wood). Experimental results indicated that varying amounts of sodium hypochlorite at different water temperatures were needed to kill Salmonella on different materials. Galvanized steel pieces were decontaminated at 55 C and 500 ppm Clorox; fiberglass pieces at 55 C and 1000 ppm Clorox and wood pieces were not decontaminated under the conditions tested.

The significance ofcampylobacter jejuniinfection in poultry: A review

Campylobacter is a significant cause of enterocolitis in consumers of undercooked poultry meat. Campylobacter jejuni is the most significant of the three thermophilic Campylobacter species, and is responsible for intestinal colonization in poultry and food-borne enteritis in humans. Generally, C. jejuni is apathogenic in poultry, although newly hatched chicks and turkeys may develop a transient diarrhoea following infection. Modern intensive poultry production favours the introduction of infection into commercial growing units, resulting in intestinal colonization during the second to fourth weeks inclusive. Routes of infection include contaminated fomites, infected water supply, rodents, insects, and free-living birds. Vertical transmission is considered unlikely. Contamination of poultry meat is enhanced by deficiencies in transport and processing of broilers and turkeys. Scalding, defeathering and evisceration represent the significant points of cross-contamination during processing. Epidemiological correlation has been established between consumption of contaminated chicken and outbreaks of human campylobacteriosis. Amelioration of infection by application of improved standards of hygiene and decontamination is possible in the context of commercial poultry production. Improvement in washing of carcasses, and the application of chemical disinfectants and gamma irradiation have the potential to reduce the prevalence of C. jejuni contamination in poultry meat. These innovations, together with improved storage and handling of meat products, will reduce the risk of campylobacteriosis to consumers.

The handling and transport of broilers and spent hens

The effects of handling and transportation on spent hens and broilers are presented and discussed with particular reference to measures of the welfare of the birds. Points in the handling and transport process where improvements are required are outlined. The procedures used to handle and transport spent hens and broilers result in welfare problems for the birds which are often very severe. There is evidence for substantial emergency responses, such as adrenal cortex activity. There can also be birds dead on arrival at the slaughterhouse, bruising, and high incidences of bone breakage. Housing hens in battery cages for long periods results in bone fragility. The greatest welfare problem is the normal rough handling which leads to poorer welfare than does a short vehicle journey. Better handling procedures are essential. Poor conditions on the journey also result in poor welfare. Much research is needed using a wide range of indicators to assess welfare and to design housing systems, handling methods, and transport procedures which do not result in poor welfare.

Transportation of broilers with special reference to mortality rates

At depopulation time, broilers have to be transferred from the grower's house to the transport and then conveyed to the processing plant. Traditionally birds are caught by hand and crated prior to transport. That task is labour intensive and is often carried out during unsocial hours (nighttime). Removal of 20 000 or more birds from a house could therefore take several hours. This is then followed by the transport phase and, upon arrival at the processing plant, there may be an additional delay before birds are removed from the transport and shackled prior to slaughter. Different catching (harvesting) systems have been introduced in recent years. In general, they are designed to minimise the amount of handling the birds receive. Catching teams only load live birds onto the transport yet processing plants routinely record an incidence of dead birds when the vehicle is unloaded at the factory. This paper reviews transport systems and describes a survey in which three systems were used. Data were analysed over a 24-month period and the results suggest areas where processing plants could direct their attention in order to reduce the incidence of dead-on-arrivals.

The AFRC mark I experimental broiler harvester

Whilst improvements have been made over the last 15 years in the collection and transport of live broilers, a satisfactory mechanized system for harvesting birds has yet to be fully accepted by the industry. AFRC Engineering have investigated the mechanical harvesting of broilers, with the objectives of making the task of catching more acceptable to all concerned, reducing injury to the birds and improving animal welfare. A brief background to the nature of the broiler handling operation is presented. The limitations imposed by the design of existing houses and the behaviour of live broilers are discussed in the light of attempts to mechanize the handling operation. The development of machines based on a patented poultry harvesting assembly is followed from the initial concept of a two-rotor pick-up head to the final three-rotor sweeping head. The findings from trials on commercial sites are shown which indicate that the machine is capable of working at the required catching rate of 6000 birds/h, whilst being less stressful than conventional hand catching methods.

Characterisation of the broiler transport environment and associated physiological consequences

Halal (permissible or lawful) poultry meat production must meet industry, economic, and production needs, and government health requirements without compromising the Islamic religious requirements derived from the Qur'an and the Hadiths (the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him). Halal certification authorities may vary in their interpretation of these teachings, which leads to differences in halal slaughter requirements. The current study proposes 6 control points (CP) for halal poultry meat production based on the most commonly used halal production systems. CP 1 describes what is allowed and prohibited, such as blood and animal manure, and feed ingredients for halal poultry meat production. CP 2 describes the requirements for humane handling during lairage. CP 3 describes different methods for immobilizing poultry, when immobilization is used, such as water bath stunning. CP 4 describes the importance of intention, details of the halal slaughter, and the equipment permitted. CP 5 and CP 6 describe the requirements after the neck cut has been made such as the time needed before the carcasses can enter the scalding tank, and the potential for meat adulteration with fecal residues and blood. It is important to note that the proposed halal CP program is presented as a starting point for any individual halal certifying body to improve its practices.

Reduction of salmonella infection of broilers by spray application of intestinal microflora: a longitudinal study.

The Nurmi concept for diminishing salmonella infection of poultry by application of gastrointestinal microflora from adult birds into newly hatched chicks was tested in a field study in which 8 million broilers were involved. Half of the 284 flocks was treated in the hatchery by spray application of an undefined microflora propagated in SPF chicks. A significant reduction in salmonella-contaminated flocks, as well as in the number of infected broilers in these flocks was demonstrated. No undesirable side effects were detected. It was concluded that hygienic improvements in transportation and slaughtering of broilers are needed in order to maintain the reduced salmonella contamination rate.

Mechanized harvesting and transport of broilers

Loading broilers is unpleasant and unhealthy work, carried out by hand labour, which causes much damage to the birds. This damage causes loss to the industry and is bad for animal welfare. A new mechanized harvesting system has been developed and tested. The loading is done by a system of mats (1·40 m wide) which are laid on the floor of the broilerhouse, covering the whole floor area. This is done while the lights are on. These mats are then pulled one by one and rolled at the front of the house. The birds step from the mats into an open tray measuring 1·05 m by 1·85 m. This is done when the house is completely dark. Ten trays are stacked mechanically and weight about 1100 kg. Eight of these stacks are loaded on a truck with a tractor mounted forklift, four on each side. At the slaughterhouse the stacks are handled with a forklift truck and placed in ventilated storage or direct into a destacker. Open trays are moved to the hanging line with hangers standing on both sides of the line, which is loop shaped. So far only limited results have been obtained in practice but these are promising in that damage to birds is reduced and work is eased. Labour costs are halved and mechanization costs are about Df0·01/bird.

Response of Broilers to Hyperthermic Stress Following Treatment with a New Cyclo-Oxygenase Inhibitor , ,

Two trials were conducted using broiler chickens to test the efficacy of pretreatment with Banamine,® an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, on various heat stress indices. Significant differences were found in peripheral prostaglandin F (PGF) levels between immature male and female broilers with pullets having a higher concentration. Females also had less mortality during the hyperthermic challenge, which was independent of medication treatment. Confinement and transport of male broilers resulted in elevated levels of PGF, which were markedly lowered near the time of heat stress death. All levels of Banamine appeared to give some measure of protection against heat stress in male broilers as evidenced by higher survival rates and longer survival times.