Acquisition of animal-based welfare measures at slaughter of poultry

Slaughter plants for poultry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were asked to participate in a short survey. The questions addressed the practicability of the assessment of animal-based welfare measures at slaughter from the slaughter plant operators' point of view. Furthermore, the operators were asked if and in what way a feedback to the livestock owner took place and if so, what possible consequences they observed. A last question asked whether they saw an opportunity for improving animal welfare through the assessment of animal-based welfare measures at slaughter and the feedback to the owners. Six of the 16 inquired poultry slaughter plants responded to the questionnaire, of which one plant slaughtered laying hens whereas the other five slaughtered poultry for fattening. Camera-based systems for automatic assessment of foot pad lesions were used at most of the slaughter plants that slaughtered poultry for fattening. Other commonly assessed measures were scratches, other skin lesions, and injuries due to loading or transport. All slaughter plants disclosed the assessment results to the owners of poultry housed for fattening. The owner of laying hens got feedback only if a high ratio of transport injuries were observed. All of the slaughter plant operators stated that they saw an opportunity for improving animal welfare through the assessment and feedback of animal-based welfare measures.