Effect of transportation distance and crating density on preslaughter losses and blood biochemical profile in broilers during hot and humid weather

Abstract

Transportation of broilers from different localities to the processing plants is a critical step in the farm to fork chain, andany disturbance in this chain may result in worst consequences. Keeping this scenario in view, a study was conducted to determinethe live losses at different transportation distances (~80, 160, 240 km) and crating densities (10, 12, 15 birds/crate) during hot andhumid summer. The uniform weight birds were picked from a farm and placed in plastic crates (0.91 m × 0.55 m). The results showeda significant increase in body weight loss and dead on arrival (%) with the increase in transportation distance and crating density inbroiler. The long journey (240 km) was also associated with significantly lower carcass and breast yield, and significantly higher catalaseactivity and uric acid concentration. An increase in crating density above 10 birds/crate resulted in a significant decrease in carcass andthigh yield in broiler. Similarly, placing 15 birds/crate showed significantly higher serum catalase activity and protein levels. Physicalinjuries, bruises, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) remained unaffected from either transportation distance or cratingdensity. Thus, transportation below 80 km and crating density below 12 birds/crate during hot and humid weather may be consideredas less stressful for broilers.