Impact of simulated environmental conditions (temperature and humidity) on the meat quality, stress physiology, and behaviour of market age turkeys

家禽的运输会极大地影响肉类质量和鸟类福利。尽管有各种各样的压力源，如操作、装箱、振动和噪音，但天气通常是最重要的压力源之一，因为它影响卡车内的温度和相对湿度。此外，加拿大的气候带来了独特的挑战，因为夏季和冬季的运输都可能出现极端的温度和相对湿度条件。萨斯喀彻温大学先前的研究评估了受控环境室中四个温度（35、28、20和-18摄氏度）和两个相对湿度（30和80%）设定值对火鸡和母鸡的影响。当暴露在35摄氏度时，火鸡无法应对高温，并表现出热应激的迹象。然而，当暴露于28C时，鸟类成功地应对了。此外，汤姆和母鸡都能够成功地应对寒冷的暴露（-18摄氏度）。因此，本研究的目的是进一步研究和建立火鸡和母鸡在模拟运输条件下的高温和低温暴露阈值。建议的温度设定点为30℃、15℃和-20℃，建议的相对湿度设定点为30℃和80%。此外，拟议的研究将评估两种运输时间（4小时和8小时）。收集的数据（包括体重变化、行为、生理应激和肉质量参数，以便对福利和食品质量进行强有力的评估）旨在建立一个全面的评估模拟运输对火鸡和母鸡肉质量和福利（核心体温、血液生理和行为）的影响。这项研究将为加拿大家禽业提供指导和协助，为火鸡母鸡和公鹅的人道运输制定行业建议和准则。

The transportation of poultry can greatly impact meat quality and bird welfare. Although there are various stressors such as handling, crating, vibration, and noise, weather is often one of the most important stressors as it influences temperature and relative humidity within the truck. In addition, Canadian climate poses unique challenges as both summer and winter transport can present extreme temperature and relative humidity conditions. Previous research at the university of Saskatchewan evaluated the effects of four temperatures (35, 28, 20, and -18 Celsius) and two relative humidity (30 and 80%) set points in controlled environmental chambers on turkey toms and hens. When exposed to 35C, turkeys were unable to cope with the heat and demonstrated signs of heat stress. However, when exposed to 28C birds successfully coped. In addition, both toms and hens were able to successfully cope with cold exposure (-18C). Therefore, the aim of the proposed research is to further examine and establish both upper and lower temperature exposure thresholds of turkey toms and hens during simulated transport conditions. The proposed temperature set points are 30, 15, and -20C and proposed relative humidity set pints are 30 and 80%. In addition, the proposed research would evaluate two transport durations (4 and 8 hours). The data collected (including weight changes, behaviour, physiological stress, and meat quality parameters, to allow strong assessment of welfare and food quality) would aim to establish a well-rounded assessment of the effects of simulated transport on meat quality and welfare (core body temperature, blood physiology, and behaviour) of turkey toms and hens. This research would be beneficial for the Canadian poultry industry by providing guidance and assisting in the development of industry recommendations and guidelines for the humane transport of turkey hens and toms.