Factors determining the dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate of turkeys transported for slaughter in Germany

In total, approximately 30.5 million fattening turkeys were slaughtered in Germany in 2022. This evaluation included data on around 11.9 million fattening turkeys of various ages and breeds transported within Germany in 2022, representing 39 % of all fattening turkey consignments that year. The aim of this study was to analyze German fattening turkey consignments (n = 2,864) to the slaughterhouse in 2022, focusing on the dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate and potential influencing factors. The relationship between factors such as the total number of animals per transport, transport duration and distance, planned stocking density in transport cages, average daily temperature, time of day, season of transport, and DOA rate was statistically assessed. The results indicated a mean DOA rate of 0.14 % (SD 0.09), this being consistent with findings of previous European studies. The evaluated data showed no influence of the number of animals, the distance and duration of transport, or the stocking density on the DOA rate (%). Higher temperatures and transport during summer were associated with a higher mean DOA rate, indicating that high temperatures can present a significant challenge for the welfare of fattening turkeys during transport.