Poultry FCI & AM inspection Flashcards
How can bird welfare be assessed
What are the legal responsibilities (legislations) of vets for animal welfare
What committees/associations are involved in poultry welfare
Describe the AWC report May 2009 for poultry
Describe the DEFRA code of recommendations for poultry
Describe the HSA 2006 guidance for poultry
Visibly unfit or injured birds should not be loaded into a transport module but should be killed on farm as quickly and humanely as possible by a suitably trained person.
Describe depopulation/harvesting of poultry
Commercial birds have lived relatively ‘controlled’ lives:
- Met relatively few people;
- Noise is typically constant and predictable;
- Possibly in subdued light.
Catching represents a major departure from their normal daily ‘structure’.
Large numbers of individuals (low individual value)
Genetic selection - inherent problems:
- Broilers – leg problems
- Laying hens - osteoporosis
Catching identified as major source of stress & injury
Possible injuries: bruising, fractures, dislocation
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanised harvesting in poultry
Describe depopulation/harvesting of spent hens
Describe the transport of poultry
Describe the welfare issues of poultry transport
Describe thinning system vs all in all out system poultry
38kg per m2 is max stocking density
thinning system: better welfare, uses lower stocking density (30kg per m2)
- maximises efficiency/use of house
- temporary social disruption
all in all out: reach 38kg per m2 at end of cycle and all birds cleared out
Describe broiler transport with regards to temperature
Broilers particularly susceptible to heat stress and dehydration
Genetic selection for muscle growth has compromised capacity to respond to acute thermal challenge:
- Reduced tolerance has implications for welfare and meat quality
Heterogeneous distribution of ventilation in passively ventilated transporters – ‘hot-spots’ and ‘cold-spots’;
Different birds in same load may experience heat or cold stress - localised high air velocities;
High stocking density, minimal head room and high humidity compromise ability to thermoregulate by natural means - panting, postural changes.
Describe thermal comfort zone for broilers
Describe transport of chicks with regards to temperature
Describe transport of pullets
Describe transport of end of lay hens with regards to temperature
Describe FCI in poultry
Introduced by the Hygiene Regulations from January 2006
FCI contributes to slaughterhouse operators’ HACCP-based food safety management systems by providing information about animals procured for slaughter
Poultry producers are required to provide the Food Business Operator (FBO) with the Food Chain Information (FCI)
The FBO checks the FCI and passes it onto the Official Veterinarian (OV)
The OV must analyse the information and use it as an integral part of the inspection procedures
What should be on a poultry FCI
in disease outbreaks: epidemiological units are houses (important for investigations & traceability
Describe collection & communication of inspection results (CCIR)
Describe AM inspection of poultry
Ante mortem inspection is covered by (EC) 853/2004 and (EC) 854/2004;
Can be performed (visual inspection):
- On-farm;
- At slaughterhouse.
Ante-mortem inspection aims to verify
- Animal identification
- Animal welfare
- Any condition that may adversely affect human or animal health (zoonosis)
Individual bird examination not feasible
Overall health and welfare of each must be assessed
When possible, ante-mortem inspection should include listening to the birds and observation of a random sample checking posture, wattle colour and cleanliness of birds
Describe poultry AM inspection at the farm
Describe this
a lot of recent bruising on wing
possibly due to handling/catching so may be welfare issue
record number of incidences
Describe this
Old wound
Farmer should not have allowed bird to leave farm, should have been emergency slaughter
Welfare issue
Describe this
Pododermatitis
Bird has been on wet litter
welfare issue, record number of cases
Describe this
Breast blister
Painful
Welfare issue
Describe this
Loss of blood feathers, trapped in cage
very painful
welfare issue, staff should be retrained
Describe notifiable diseases in poultry
Avian influenza
Newcastle disease
The FCI should provide evidence of active Notifiable disease
Typical clinical signs will be seen on farm
Birds crated on arrival may be dead, have respiratory signs or be visibly affected (discoloured comb, wattles, nasal discharge)
Describe Newcastle disease
Describe avian influenza
