DL - preslaughter management

Question 1

Electronic bird catching - advantages bird welfare

Answer 1

• Less likely to have catching injuries if equipment maintained (rubber sweepers)
• Fast – not distressed for very long
• Correct number of birds per cage
• Can be performed in dark conditions

Question 2

Electronic bird catching - disadvantages bird welfare

Answer 2

• Dropped from a height
• Machinery error – trapped birds, trauma
• Noisy
• Chicken could be run over

Question 3

Electronic bird catching - production advantages

Answer 3

• 200 birds caught per load
• 8000 birds caught per hour
• One man labouring (replaces 4 or 5 catchers)
• Automatic counting
• Automatic module loading

Question 4

Vet monitoring of bird catching

Answer 4

• Monitor injuries and deaths during collection
• Ensure equipment maintenance
• Stocking densities
• Hygiene of equipment
• Pre-collection exam

Question 5

What is vertical integration?

Answer 5

one umbrella company controls main stages of the process and contract out different stages - but they still own the farm that produces food, houses chicks etc

Question 6

Advantages - vertical integration

Answer 6

• guidelines standardised so can transfer across farms

- economically viable?

Question 7

Disadvantages - vertical integration

Answer 7

not tailored to each farm (different health problems not catered for), farmers scared to speak out about the problems, no welfare incentives (increasing welfare doesn’t necessarily maximise profits)