Pathology and handling of poultry at the slaughterhouse

During the preslaughter period the welfare of birds can be compromised through temperature stress, emotional stress, dehydration, metabolic exhaustion and trauma to the skin, bones and soft tissues resulting in bruising and death. This paper focuses on the last three factors by reference to recent studies. An average of 0.19% broilers were found to be dead on arrival at the slaughterhouse with the principal cause of death being congestive heart failure (47%) followed by trauma (35%). Broken bones were found in 3% of broilers and in 29% of hens. Care is needed when interpreting the evidence of bruising because this may occur after death (during plucking) as well as before slaughter. Brief reference is made to gas stunning as a possible alternative to current methods.