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Imprint
Collabrotative project: Optimization of animal welfare at mechanical loading of broilers - subproject 1 (OptiFaMa)
Project
Project code: 2817805A18
Contract period: 01.02.2020
- 30.06.2022
Budget: 334,543 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: poultry, animal husbandry, meat, slaughter, animal transport, animal health
The aim of the project is the improvement of animal welfare of broilers during mechanical harvesting. With the results of the project, the animal health and stress of broilers during loading as well as the working conditions of the employees in livestock farming should be improved. In Germany, the mechanical harvester of the type CMC Apollo Generation 2 is commonly used for the mechanical loading of broilers. The Apollo Generation 2 is a harvesting machine, by which the broilers are loaded into the transport containers by the use of several conveyor belts. Advantages by the use of this harvesting method were shown in a first, trendsetting research project in which the manual and mechanical harvesting methods were compared, especially considering economic and working procedures but also regarding the stress level of the broilers. However, also vulnerabilities were observed. The aim of the proposed project is the improvement and reduction of these weak points. Four major aspects can be considered as target goals: (1) prevention of broilers striking/bumping into the container (risk of injuries) by the comparison of different container systems, (2) establishment of a suitable velocity of conveyor belts to minimize hematoma on the conveyor belts and at the transition into the container, (3) evaluation of impact of the broiler line and (4) impact of the season. By an optimization of the mechanical harvester considering previously identified critical areas before the start of the examination/project, the risk of injuries shall be reduced. The reflexive wing flapping and thus caused hematoma as well as the risk of fractures and injuries at the last transition from the last conveyor belt into the container belongs to these risks. Since the velocity of the conveyor belts of the harvester can influence the incidence of injuries, an appropriate velocity shall be evaluated by the subdivision of the assessed groups in "slow” and "fast”.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
