Transportation and the welfare of poultry

Abstract

A variety of factors before and during transport of poultry affect their welfare, with impacts ranging from slight discomfort to death. This chapter begins by considering the pre-loading factors which can eventually affect the birds’ welfare during transportation, and then reviews the physiological, behavioural and psychological responses, which birds may have during transport. We then review a wide range of factors, many which act interactively, which may affect welfare during transport, including the design of containers and trailers, journey duration, noise, vibrations and stocking density. Brief consideration is then given to the effects of lairage, and the transport of hens other than adult broilers.