Poultry Ante Mortem And FCI

Question 1

What are the 2 main sources of welfare problems for poultry

Answer 1

Handling
Transport

Question 2

Name the 5 freedoms

Answer 2

Freedom from:
Thirst and hunger
Pain, injury and disease
Fear and distress
Discomfort
Ability to express natural behaviours

Question 3

What principals must be observed when slaughtering poultry humanely

Answer 3

All personnel must be trained, competent and caring
Only animals that are fit should be caught and transported for slaughter
Any handling must be done with consideration for the animals welfare

Question 4

What is the appropriate technique for catching/harvesting broilers

Answer 4

Caught by both legs
Inverted
Maximum of 3 birds per hand
Placed into crates

Question 5

Name the 3 possible injuries that can result from improper handling of broilers

Answer 5

Bruising
Fractures
Dislocations

Question 6

Name the 3 times in birds life where they may be handled/transported

Answer 6

As day old chicks => rearing houses
Laying hens => point of lay
End of life => slaughter facilities

Question 7

What type of transportation is used for transporting day old chicks

Answer 7

Environmentally controlled lorries

Question 8

Name the main welfare issues associated with the transport of poultry (x7)

Answer 8

Handling
Social disruption
Food and water withdrawal
Movement of the transport vehicle
Fatigue
Noise
Thermal challenges => heat stress

Question 9

Which group of chickens are most susceptible to heat stress and dehydration and why

Answer 9

Broilers
Genetic selection for muscle growth compromises their capacity to respond to acute thermal challenge

Question 10

What are things to consider when transporting day old chicks

Answer 10

Thermal stress is a source of welfare compromise
They can tolerate long journeys due to yolk sac reserves

Question 11

What is the optimum temperature range for transport of day old chicks

Answer 11

24-25 degrees C

Question 12

Why do end of lay hens have reduced thermal tolerance

Answer 12

Poor feathering

Question 13

Do poultry require an FCI

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

What sort of things should be on a poultry FCI (x8)

Answer 14

Farm and house of origin
Intended date of slaughter - always a set date from birth (around 37days)
Number of birds for slaughter
Flock mortality
Diseases diagnosed
Results of any laboratory tests
Any medication given
Previous PM results

Question 15

What is a CCIR and what is it used for

Answer 15

Collection and Communication of Inspection Results
Provides info for the farmer and the farmer’s vet
Contains things like diseases, welfare, production problems
Used to influence future husbandry changes on the farm

Question 16

Where is the ante mortem performed for poultry

Answer 16

On-farm OR at slaughterhouse

Question 17

How is an ante mortem carried out for poultry

Answer 17

NOT individual
More of a general assessment of birds In the lairage
Random individual checks can be made

Question 18

What 3 things does an ante mortem aim to identify

Answer 18

Animal identification
Animal welfare
Any condition that may adversely affect human or animal health (zoonosis)

Question 19

Main things to look for on an ante mortem of birds

Answer 19

Recent bruising
Old injuries that may have happened on farm
Pododermatitis (bumble foot) - reportable
Trapping of feathers - welfare concern

Question 20

Name the 2 notifiable diseases in poultry

Answer 20

Newcastle disease
Avian influenza

Question 21

What are the clinical sign of avian influenza

Answer 21

Sudden death
Respiratory signs
Oedema (sub cut or general)
Cyanosis
Myocardial necrosis

Question 22

What virus causes Newcastle disease

Answer 22

Avain Paramyxovirus 1

Question 23

What are the clinical signs of Newcastle disease

Answer 23

Sudden death
Prostration
Diarrhoea
Nervous signs
Fall in egg production

Question 24

What 2 things can you see post mortem which suggest Newcastle disease

Answer 24

Respiratory tract lesions
Proventricular haemorrhages

Question 25

What causes pododermatitis in chicken (husbandry related)

Answer 25

Standing on wet litter which is high in ammonia