A Production Report on Influence of Transportation Stress in Broiler

Abstract

Transportation stress is a burning issue of modern time. A field study was conducted in broiler to evaluate the stressor as journey time, stocking density, lairage time that cause stress during broiler transportation. Two flocks having 795 and 1000 broilers were weighted to detect body weight loss and examined to detect the different types of injuries that might cause stress in broiler. Injuries during transportation were identified by visual observation and palpation. The observed parameters were rough handling during loading and unloading, less space allowance in crates, ambient temperature, feed withdrawal time, transport and time of distance, mortality rate, loss of body weight & struck of welfare. For identification of risk factors those farm chickens were followed up during transportation from farm to market for sale. The data of different type of injuries (e.g. dislocation of wing, dislocation of leg, laceration of wing & leg) collected. Results with respect to the frequency of weight loss, dislocation of wing, dislocation of leg, laceration of wing & leg were, were approximately 7%, 14.5%, 12.3%, 5.3% & 2.2%, respectively. On the other hand, mortality percentage of adult chicken was found 0.17%. From these findings it can be concluded that chicken are facing a great number of serious injuries during transportation due to long journey time, stocking density that affect mortality rate and production of birds.