Certainly, animal welfare in poultry farming related to the transport of birds in cages or containers is an issue of permanent importance in the poultry sector.

Initially, it is necessary to understand that animal welfare is a concept that must be implemented in all phases of poultry production. This welfare must be present in the daily activities and operations of the poultry farm, such as vaccination, culling, or transport. The objective is to ensure that the animals have good living conditions and that all their basic needs are met.

In addition to this, animal welfare in poultry farming during transport is a basic pillar that must be always applied during this operation. In poultry production, it is necessary to move animals at various stages. For example, the farm can move one-day-old chicks or animals that finish their productive cycle and go to the processing plant.

There are many productive advantages to be gained by ensuring welfare during transport: lower mortality, fewer penalties for traumas or injuries, better carcasses, and high-quality products. In this article, we will explain different aspects that must be improved and recommendations to implement animal welfare in poultry farming.

Animal welfare in poultry nutrition

To ensure animal welfare in poultry farming related to nutrition and feeding, it must be ensured that birds are free from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition.

Brids spent much of their time eating and drinking water. Therefore, feed and water must be available for the animals all the time to ensure animal welfare. In addition, feed must be of high quality to avoid malnutrition of the birds.

Concerning welfare based on poultry facilities, special attention should be taken to ensure that animals are free from fear and distress. On the other hand, they should also be free from physical and thermal discomfort.

External disturbances or sudden noises should be minimized. In addition, to ensure animal welfare in poultry farming, a work routine must be implemented so that birds are not frightened by operators, equipment, or movements.

Control the temperature of the production system is a fundamental aspect of animal welfare in poultry farming. For this, sudden temperature changes must be avoided, avoiding excessive cold or heat, because this affects the birds. In addition, physical discomfort for the birds should be avoided so that they do not suffer stress processes.

In addition to the above, it is also important to ensure that birds can manifest a natural behavior.

Prevention: a key welfare factor

Figure 2. Chick feeder and drinker system

In poultry production, it is common and fundamental to focus efforts on the prevention of pathologies. For this reason, the aim is to ensure that animals are free from pain, injury, and disease.

Veterinary medicine must guarantee the prevention of any disease or injury in a poultry production system. For this reason, animal welfare in poultry farming is in the permanent review of their birds so that they do not present pain, do not have injuries, and do not suffer diseases.

Animal welfare in poultry farming: poultry transportation

Undoubtedly, a basic component of the poultry farming link is the transport of birds. When the birds have finished their productive cycle or there is a change in the development stage, they must be moved. For this reason, the mobilization of animals must comply with animal welfare parameters that ensure their comfort and the five freedoms mentioned above. For this purpose, poultry transport containers used are manufactured under technical standards that provide safety, comfort, and ease in the transport operation.

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Recommendations for poultry transport

There are some recommendations on poultry transport vehicles that can be obtained from the Good Practice Guides. Below, we are going to mention some of them that should be considered.

1. The transport vehicle should be thoroughly washed and disinfected before loading the birds and correctly positioned in the marked areas.
2. Ensure temperature stability in the transport vehicle to avoid stress due to temperature changes in the birds, which affects animal welfare.
3. Transport boxes or containers for poultry should be manufactured and designed according to the animal welfare laws in poultry farming in each country. If it does not exist, international parameters should be followed.
4. Preference should be given to poultry transport containers made of resistant, hygienic material that allows proper ventilation.
5. Transport containers for poultry should be properly arranged, adjusted, and ordered in the transport vehicle. Undoubtedly, this prevents accidents and guarantees animal welfare during the journey.
6. The vehicle used in the transport of poultry must comply with all legislative provisions of the country concerned. Otherwise, they can be based on international standards.
7. Finally, it is recommended that operators be trained in poultry handling and animal welfare.

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Containers for poultry transport: What should they have?

Concerning transport containers for birds, these should be easy to assemble, handle, and to use. In addition, they must always be in good condition to avoid accidents with the animals. If the container has doors, they should be easily adjustable and intuitive to use.

The cages as the flagship product of the Giordano Poultry Plast (GPP) line are a perfect example of design, created to guarantee the best conditions for animal transport, as they significantly reduce the risk during loading and unloading operations.

On the other hand, all Poultry Plast cages and crates are strong and durable, hygienic, and easy to clean. Thanks to this, animal welfare is guaranteed by excellent ventilation, ease of stacking, and, in addition, the smooth and rounded surfaces minimize bruises and broken wings, avoiding injuries during cage handling.

It should be noted that the products in the range are made of HD polyethylene and UV stabilized to reduce aging due to the sun’s rays.

Animal welfare in poultry farming: stocking density

Table. Recommended densities for loading in transport containers for poultry. (Adapted from Guide to Good Practice for the transport of poultry – Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety European Commission).

However, to evaluate animal welfare in poultry farming, it is of utmost importance to consider the stocking density. These stocking density figures (Table) for poultry transport may vary depending on some factors. One factor is the weight and size of the birds. Another factor affecting density is the physical condition of the birds.

From the creation to the design, development, and final production of products used for poultry transport, GPP is always looking for innovative and high-performance products and solutions. For this, we seek a combination of efficiency, economy, durability, and, above all, ensure the welfare of poultry.

The weather conditions and the duration of transport must be considered to establish the density and how the animals will be transported.

On the other hand, during the loading and transport process, special care should always be taken to avoid injuries to the birds. Injuries and wounds generated in birds end up generating economic losses due to confiscation or penalties, in addition to being detrimental to animal welfare in poultry farming. Ensuring a good transport container for poultry offers productive and economic advantages.

The technical evolution of GPP products underlines the ability to prevent and meet the growing expectations and needs of end-users. In addition, it strives to ensure that public opinion and international legislative bodies recognize that animals are treated in an appropriate, humane, and responsible manner.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, animal welfare in poultry farming is a concept that should be implemented permanently. An essential part of poultry production is the transport of the animals. For this reason, it is necessary to guarantee welfare and comfort conditions during transport. To achieve stress-free birds, a good choice of transport containers is necessary. Therefore, the containers in which the birds travel must meet all legal, ethical, and technical standards.