The transport of chickens to the processing plant is a necessary part of chicken meat production. However, there are risks to the welfare and meat quality of the chickens if they become stressed. Stress generally occurs when chickens are transported during extreme weather events and/or over long distances.
This project will undertake a literature review and collate information from chicken meat industry stakeholders regarding attempts (both successful and unsuccessful) to mitigate these risks. Specific issues investigated will be based on how mortality correlates with temperature, travel distance, truck design and methods of loading chickens onto the trucks.
A literature review of truck design will inform options for proof-of-concept truck modifications to address these issues. The outcome is expected to be a comprehensive understanding of the issues and risks related to transporting meat chickens in Australia and identification of future research priorities on this topic.
Project details
Project code: PRJ-010961
Principal investigator: Ian Johnston
Research organisation: EnviroAg Australia
Project duration: October 2018 – March 2020
Contact
Ian Johnston, EnviroAg Australia, ian.johnston@enviroag.net.au
Rachele Osmond, Manager, Research – Chicken Meat RD&E Program, AgriFutures Australia, rachele.osmond@agrifutures.com.au
Learn more
Download the project summary here.
Visit the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program website.
