CURRENT STATUS OF ANIMAL WELFARE IN BROILER CHICKENS DURING SHORT DISTANCE TRANSPORTATION IN BULGARIA

As one of the fastest growing sectors of the livestock industry, poultry farming inevitably raises comments and controversies regarding the welfare of birds throughout the production process. This study assessed the welfare conditions of broilers during short-term transportation from two industrial farms to a slaughterhouse, focusing on dead on arrival (DOA) rate as the main welfare indicator. Data from 369 bird shipments covering a period of one year were used. The analysis included various factors – transport distance, month of the year and average live body weight of the birds. The results showed that despite the greater distance, there was no statistically significant difference in DOA between the two farms (p = 0.525). However, the month of transportation had a significant impact, with the highest mortality recorded in the summer months of June and July. Also, a positive correlation was found between birds` live body weight and DOA rates (rho = 0.448; p < 0.001). The study highlighted the importance of temperature conditions and bird weight as critical factors for welfare during transport, as well as the need for strict implementation of legislative requirements and good practices in the sector.