Mechanized harvesting and transport of broilers

Koning, K. de; Gerrits, A.R.; Migchels, A.

doi:10.1016/0021-8634(87)90123-5

Cited by 7 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Thus, we conclude that the minor or severe injuries diagnosed immediately after loading had occurred during the loading process. The results of previous studies on loading-induced injury risk in broilers at slaughter age are often based on the evaluation of injuries assessed on the carcass ( de Koning et al., 1987 ; Lacy and Czarick, 1998 ; Knierim and Gocke, 2003 ; Nijdam et al., 2005 ; Musilová et al., 2013 ; Langkabel et al., 2015 ). This could be a problem because the assessed injuries could also have occurred during transport ( Cockram and Dulal, 2018 ) and not only been caused by loading.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For mechanical loading, various systems have been developed ( de Koning et al., 1987 ; Bayliss and Hinton, 1990 ; Kettlewell and Mitchell, 1994 ; Lacy and Czarick, 1998 ; Knierim and Gocke, 2003 ; Nijdam et al., 2005 ). The ways in which the broilers are picked up from the ground can vary greatly between the systems, whereas the passage to the transport containers is similar.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ways in which the broilers are picked up from the ground can vary greatly between the systems, whereas the passage to the transport containers is similar. Mechanical harvesters of the new generation use conveyor belts for the passage ( de Koning et al., 1987 ; Bayliss and Hinton, 1990 ; Kettlewell and Mitchell, 1994 ; Lacy and Czarick, 1998 ; Knierim and Gocke, 2003 ; Nijdam et al., 2005 ). Considering the collection of the broilers from the ground, 2 main types of harvesters are currently used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The welfare impacts of mechanical and manual broiler catching and of circumstances at loading under field conditions

Mönch¹,

Rauch²,

Hartmannsgruber³

et al. 2020

Poultry Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Loading of broilers for transport to the processing plant poses a notable injury risk for broilers. Therefore, the poultry industry has developed mechanical methods as alternatives to manual loading methods. Our objective in the present study was to compare manual loading ( MAN ) of broilers with the mechanical loading ( MECH ). We assessed the injuries of broilers of 12 MAN and 12 MECH flocks on-farm before and immediately after loading, documented the numbers of broilers dead on arrival reported by the processing plant, and assessed the circumstances at loading. A smaller number of broilers with a hematoma (≥0.5 cm in diameter) on the wing were observed after MAN compared with MECH using the examined harvester (MAN vs. MECH odds ratio: 0.16; 95% confidence interval: 0.10, 0.28). The number of broilers with severe wing injuries did not differ between the loading methods. The number of broilers dead on arrival was greater in mechanically loaded flocks (MAN vs. MECH odds ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.10, 0.68), but lower than in comparable studies. We observed a lower average stocking rate than targeted in the drawers of MECH containers, most likely because the used harvester can adapt to short-term changes in weight and adjust the stocking rate during the loading process. A longer total loading duration in MAN was associated with an increase of wing hematomas, and the involvement of more working people per 10,000 broilers during MAN was associated with a lower occurrence of hematomas. The total loading duration in MECH had no notable influence on the occurrence of injuries. Physical conditions of the involved personnel might play a larger role in MAN than in MECH. The harvester that was examined should be further developed to reduce the occurrence of hematomas. Our results indicate that the choice of loading method alone does not determine the injury risk, and multiple factors are associated with broiler welfare during loading. It is important that the chosen method is performed under the most adequate conditions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The welfare impacts of mechanical and manual broiler catching and of circumstances at loading under field conditions

Mönch¹,

Rauch²,

Hartmannsgruber³

et al. 2020

Poultry Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…When loading was undertaken efficiently, and the speed of loading was high, the loading was undertaken quicker, and the risk of mortality was lower. Minimizing the duration that a partially loaded trailer is stationary without adequate ventilation is beneficial in reducing the risk of mortality (De Koning et al 1987). Although there are few detailed comparative studies, modular systems have been reported to reduce the DOA % compared with crates (Bayliss and Hinton 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there are few detailed comparative studies, modular systems have been reported to reduce the DOA % compared with crates (Bayliss and Hinton 1990). Using modules to load broilers rather than crates results in less damage to the birds (De Koning et al 1987). Unloading and handling at the processing plant are also facilitated by the use of modules (Bayliss and Hinton 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for bruising and mortality of broilers during manual handling, module loading, transport, and lairage

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Multiple factors can affect the risk of bruising and mortality of broilers during loading, transport, and lairage. The risk factors affecting the percentages of broilers in each load that were “dead-on-arrival” (DOA) or bruised were studied from records provided by a processing plant, by undertaking direct observations during on-farm loading and then carrying out multivariable analyses. Selected loads between 2014 and 2015 from seven producers were included in the study. The median DOA per load was 0.13% (Q1 = 0.06, Q3 = 0.25, n = 212), the median total duration from loading to unloading was 8.6 h, and the external temperature ranged from −22 to 22 °C. Although it was not possible to adequately characterise thermal conditions within each load, the analysis indicated that the main risk factors for increased mortality were in spring and winter, an increased duration between loading and end of lairage, and a period of feed withdrawal before loading longer than 6 h. The risk of mortality increased with the weight of the birds and with an increase in rearing mortality. No relationships were found between the manner in which the broilers were handled and the percentages of DOAs or bruised birds.

show abstract

A comparison of two manual catching methods of broiler considering injuries and behavior

Wessel¹,

Rauch²,

Hartmannsgruber³

et al. 2022

Poultry Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mechanized harvesting and transport of broilers

Cited by 7 publications

References 1 publication

The welfare impacts of mechanical and manual broiler catching and of circumstances at loading under field conditions

The welfare impacts of mechanical and manual broiler catching and of circumstances at loading under field conditions

Risk factors for bruising and mortality of broilers during manual handling, module loading, transport, and lairage

A comparison of two manual catching methods of broiler considering injuries and behavior

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About