Investigating the influence of a range of exposure conditions during simulated transport on pullet and end-of-cycle hen (EOCH) physiology, welfare and meat quality

目前，很少有公司从周期终了的母鸡（EOCH）中收获肉类。因此，EOCH需要长途运输才能到达加工厂。这些鸟可能减少了羽毛覆盖，使它们更容易受到寒冷的温度。此外，由于EOCH在整个产蛋周期中产生蛋的同时承受了高能量需求，因此它们的肌肉质量可能会大大耗尽。这可能导致EOCH使用肌肉产热来调节体温的能力有限。长时间的运输加上羽毛覆盖不良和这些鸟类的生理状态受损，可能会损害它们的福利。鸟类福利受损的最终症状可能是在运送到加工厂时死亡的鸟类。与解决这些福利问题有关的困难包括现有的科学数据有限。迄今为止，关于EOCH的运输研究尚未检查生理指标，如核心体温（CBT）、血液参数和行为。缺乏科学数据可以为母鸡运输法规的制定提供信息。确定EOCH运输最低要求的研究将对生产者、加工者、政策制定者和监管者具有价值。我们的研究小组与家禽加工商合作的记录很好，我们集中精力进行实地研究，以记录拖车上的条件和运输过程中家禽的反应。然而，实地工作是耗时的，昂贵的，并受到不可控因素（环境条件）的变化。一个基于实验室的系统，其中测试参数可以控制和响应变量可以更密切地监测将是首选。在运输过程中，各种因素都会影响鸟类，包括温度、湿度、空气速度、运输时间和羽毛覆盖。本研究建议使用环境室来控制雏鸡和EOCH暴露条件（温度、湿度、持续时间），并监测模拟运输过程中的禽类反应（CBT、血液参数、行为、肉质）。

There are currently very few companies that harvest meat from end-of-cycle hens (EOCH). Consequently, EOCH are being transported long distances to reach processing plants. These birds may have reduced feather cover making them more susceptible to colder temperatures. Additionally, because EOCH have endured high energy demands while producing eggs throughout the laying cycle, their muscle mass may be largely depleted. This can result in EOCH having a limited ability to use muscle thermogenesis to regulate their body temperature. The long transport duration combined with poor feather cover and compromised physiological state of these birds can compromise their welfare. The ultimate symptom of compromised bird welfare may be dead birds at the time of delivery to the processing plant. Difficulties associated with addressing these welfare concerns include the limited scientific data that are available. Transportation studies to date, regarding EOCH, have not examined physiological measures, such as core body temperature (CBT), blood parameters and behavior. There is a dearth of scientific data that could inform the development of transportation codes for hens. Research that establishes minimal requirements for transportation of EOCH would be of value to producers, processors, policy developers and regulators. Our research group has a strong record of partnering with poultry processors, concentrating our efforts on field-based research to document conditions on trailers and responses of poultry during transportation. However, field work is time consuming, expensive and subject to variations in uncontrollable factors (ambient conditions). A lab-based system, where test parameters can be controlled and response variables can be more intensely monitored would be preferred. A variety of factors can affect birds during transportation including temperature, humidity, air velocity, transport duration and feather cover. This research proposal would use an environmental chamber to control pullet and EOCH exposure conditions (temperature, humidity, duration) and monitor bird responses (CBT, blood parameters, behavior, meat quality) during simulated transport.