Rethinking broiler catching, transport and slaughter

Would stunning and killing birds on the farm increase carcass quality and saleable pounds while improving the birds’ last day?

Terrence O'Keefe

October 11, 2023

Feed withdrawal, catching, loading, transportation and lairage make the last day for broilers and turkeys their most stressful.

Feed withdrawal, catching, loading, transportation and lairage make the last day for broilers and turkeys their most stressful.

Terrence O'Keefe

I was intrigued by the topic of a symposium held at the 2023 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting in July, Alternative slaughter procedures: On-farm slaughter and transport system for broilers. I have reported on the presentations in an article in the September issue of WATT PoultryUSA. (Is on-farm slaughter for broilers a crazy idea?)

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The Poultry Science Association announces scholarship winner

Executive director of the NIAA to speak at upcoming summit

Processing & Slaughter

New Baiada poultry plant to open in Australia in 2026

The facility in New South Wales will have the capacity to process up to 3 million chickens per week.

A rendering of the Baiada poultry plant under construction in Tamworth, Australia.

California poultry processors may owe $3.8 million to workers

The companies identified by the U.S. Department of Labor are The Exclusive Poultry, Meza Poultry, Valtierra Poultry, Sullon Poultry and Nollus’s Poultry.

Department Of Labor

Processing & Slaughter

New House of Raeford plant in South Carolina suffers setback

City Council cites concerns about wastewater capacity.

House Of Raeford

Processing & Slaughter

New House of Raeford plant could come to South Carolina

The company has been communicating with officials in Aiken County about possible incentives to build a plant there.

Courtesy House of Raeford Farms

COVID-19 death lawsuit against Pilgrim’s Pride dismissed

Judge in Lufkin, Texas, says the plaintiffs failed to meet all requirements needed to find the company liable under the state’s Pandemic Liability Protection Act.

Processing & Slaughter

How listening to staff can boost poultry processing

Without the right working culture many issues that arise in day-to-day poultry processing may remain unresolved.

Employee Engagement Meter Concept

Processing & Slaughter

How to ensure good chick transport from hatchery to farm

Suboptimal transport can impact chicks’ overall health, welfare and performance.

Chicks huddled together during transport are probably too cold or escaping a draft.

Processing & Slaughter

Vilsack says extensions will be granted for line speed waivers

The U.S. agriculture secretary wants to have complete information on relation between line speeds and safety before any changes are made.

Tyson Foods Line

Tyson Foods Corydon complex to officially close April 6

Company notifies state and local officials of how it is winding down poultry complex operations in Corydon, Indiana.

Tyson Chicken Drumsticks1

Processing & Slaughter

DOL: Cleaning service employed minors to work at pork, poultry plants

Federal agency seeks injunction against Fayette Janitorial Service, which allegedly hired youths to do sanitation duties at Perdue Farms, Seaboard Triumph Foods plants.

Department Of Labor

Processing & Slaughter

Rep. Rouzer, Vilsack spar over poultry line speed study

Congressman from North Carolina asks why a new line speed study is necessary, and if those conducting the study are biased against the poultry industry.

Rep. David Rouzer

Cherkizovo helps start academy’s quality management program

Cherkizovo Group and Skryabin Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology partner to establish a department for Product Quality and Risk Management in the Agricultural Sector.

Courtesy Cherkizovo Group

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