This study investigated the combined effects of transport distance and season on poultry mortality rates (end-of-lay hens, broiler chickens, turkeys, and ducks) during transport to slaughterhouses. Retrospective data analysis included all poultry shipments from Czech farms to Czech slaughterhouses from 2017 to 2023. In total, 11,503,789 end-of-lay hens, 807,874,546 broiler chickens, 1,075,070 turkeys, and 28,012,184 ducks were transported in the monitored period. The highest mortality rates were observed in laying hens (1.212 %) and broiler chickens (0.884 %) during winter when transported over very long distances (301 km and more). For ducks, peak mortality (0.589 %) was found during summer transport over the distances of 201-300 km (no ducks were transported for longer distances). In turkeys, the highest mortality (0.598 %) was recorded in autumn over distances of 51-100 km, likely due to the limited number of birds transported over longer distances (97 % of turkeys transported within 100 km) and during extreme-temperature seasons. These findings highlight the need for species-specific transport management strategies, particularly for vulnerable categories such as end-of-lay hens and broiler chickens.

• Klíčová slova
• Broiler, DOA, Duck, Hen, Turkey,
• MeSH
• chov zvířat MeSH
• doprava * MeSH
• jatka MeSH
• kachny * fyziologie   MeSH
• krocani * fyziologie   MeSH
• kur domácí * fyziologie   MeSH
• mortalita * MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The aim of the study was to assess post-mortem findings according to their localization and the nature of damage and to assess the standard of health and welfare of farmed rabbits on the basis of these findings. A total of 40,206 pathological findings were recorded in 1,876,929 rabbits slaughtered at slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic in the period from 2010 to 2019. Pathological findings on the limbs (0.84%), the trunk (0.71%), the kidneys (0.17%), and the liver (0.05%), along with generalized changes (0.37%), occurred most frequently. Findings of traumatic origin dominated among findings on the limbs and trunk, which indicates the inappropriate housing and handling rabbits on farms and during transport. Findings in the kidneys and liver were most often of a chronic nature having an evident correlation with the diet of intensively fed rabbits, with shortcomings in the diet having an impact on the parenchyma with chronic manifestations in the liver and kidneys. Among the generalized findings, multiple abscesses, which were probably associated with the infection of injuries occurring during fattening, and emaciation resulting from current husbandry practices, leading to insufficient feed intake or the development of disease in some individuals, predominated.

• Klíčová slova
• health, rabbit, slaughter, veterinary inspection, welfare,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The transport of end-of-lay hens for slaughter presents a particular cause for concern in relation to hen welfare due to their less robust condition. During the period of 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017, 17,436,074 end-of-lay hens transported for slaughter in 3,144 consignments were monitored, i.e., all hens transported from Czech farms to slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic in the monitored period. The overall mortality of hens during transport for slaughter was 0.516%. A significant (P < 0.05) impact of outside temperature and month of the year on transport-related mortality was found. Lower outside temperature was connected with the increased hen mortality and vice versa. Correspondingly, more deaths of end-of-lay hens occurred in the cold winter months of January (0.717%) and December (0.695%); on the contrary, the lowest death rates were recorded in August (0.364%). Differences were also found when comparing transport-related mortality rates according to the transport distance. The lowest mortality (0.338%) was found in hens transported for distances up to 50 km; longer distances were associated with increasing (P < 0.05) death rates, with the greatest losses (0.801%) recorded for distances from 201 to 300 km. These findings document the need for increased care for end-of-lay hens during their transport for slaughter in the winter at lower outside transport temperatures, in particular below 0°C (e.g., by adequate temperature regulation in the means of transport), and of hens transported over longer distances (if the transport distance cannot be reduced).

• Klíčová slova
• distance, hen, mortality, temperature, transport,
• MeSH
• chov zvířat MeSH
• dlouhověkost * MeSH
• doprava * MeSH
• jatka * MeSH
• kur domácí * MeSH
• nízká teplota škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• pohoda zvířat * MeSH
• psychologický odstup MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The death of animals during transport for slaughter is a major factor indicating the level of welfare in transported animals. The aim of this study was to assess mortality related to the commercial transport of finisher pigs for slaughter in the Czech Republic. METHODS: The inspectors of the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic recorded the numbers of finisher pigs transported to processing plants in the Czech Republic for slaughter and the mortality in these pigs in relation to transport in the period from 2009 to 2014. RESULTS: Our results show that the likelihood of death losses in transported pigs increases with increasing transport distance. The transport-related mortality ranged from 0.049% in pigs transported for distances below 50 km to 0.145% in pigs transported for distances exceeding 300 km. The impact of external air temperature on the transport-related mortality found in our study clearly shows that current transport practices fail to ensure the welfare of pigs transported under other than moderate weather. Particularly cold temperatures below -2°C were associated with increased death losses in winter transport. CONCLUSION: Despite a decreasing trend in the mortality of finisher pigs transported for slaughter in Europe, our study suggests that current transport conditions are not efficient at ensuring the welfare of pigs during transport for longer distances and the protection of pigs against the negative impact of extreme ambient temperatures. Further research should focus on developing practical guidelines to improve the welfare of pigs in transit accordingly.

• Klíčová slova
• Ambient Temperature, Mortality, Swine, Transportation, Welfare,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH