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Effects of transportation on the tonic immobility fear reactions of broilers |
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| Authors: | P J Cashman Christine J Nicol R B Jones |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Animal Husbandry , University of Bristol , Langford House, Bristol, BS18 7DU, England;2. Meat Inspection South, Department of Agriculture , Dundonald House, Newtonards Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland;3. Department of Animal Husbandry , University of Bristol , Langford House, Bristol, BS18 7DU, England;4. AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Edinburgh Research Station , Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9PS, Scotland |
| Abstract: | 1. The fear levels of broilers arriving from slaughter at 4 commercial processing plants were assessed using tonic immobility (TI) tests. The relative effects of selected variables were also examined. 2. Neither the position of the birds on the lorry, nor their sex, nor the ambient temperature nor the identity of the experimeter exerted any significant effects on tonic immobility reactions. 3. Although the longest and shortest immobility responses followed transportation in the fixed crates and metal modules respectively, system comparisons may be confounded by variations in the birds’ genetic and/or experiential backgrounds. 4. Both journey duration and waiting time before transport bore an unambiguous and positive linear relationship with mean TI duration. The duration of transit was the major factor determining fear levels following both commercial and simulated journeys. |
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