Killing for purposes other than slaughter: poultry

Area of Science:

• Animal Welfare Science
• Veterinary Public Health
• Poultry Husbandry

Background:

• Poultry may require on-farm killing for reasons beyond human consumption, such as disease control or culling unproductive birds.
• Assessing hazards and welfare consequences during on-farm killing is essential for improving animal well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize hazards associated with on-farm poultry killing methods.
• To evaluate corrective and preventive measures for identified hazards.
• To describe welfare consequences and propose mitigation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed on-farm killing processes including handling, restraint, and stunning/killing methods (electrical, modified atmosphere, mechanical, lethal injection).
• Identified and characterized 29 hazards, attributing origins to staff (skills, fatigue) and specific methods.
• Described eight welfare consequences (e.g., pain, fear, stress) and relevant animal-based measures.

Main Results:

• 29 hazards were identified, predominantly linked to stunning/killing procedures and staff-related factors.
• Lack of appropriate skill sets and fatigue were significant contributors to hazards.
• Eight key welfare consequences were identified, with proposed mitigation measures.

Conclusions:

• Management plays a critical role in preventing hazards during on-farm poultry killing.
• Targeted training and improved management practices are necessary to mitigate risks.
• Developing and implementing effective corrective and preventive measures can significantly improve animal welfare during on-farm killing.