During the catching of broilers for slaughter, 2 to 3 birds are grabbed per hand at one leg at the same time. From an animal welfare point of view, this procedure is under critical observation from animal welfare administration and the general public.In this paper 2 catching methods were compared: the routinely used 1-leg catching method, and a second tech-nique whereby birds were grabbed by both legs with a maximum of 2 birds per hand (2-leg catching method). Lesions on the body, legs, and wings (hemorrhages and fractures) were recorded by a camera system located after the plucking position. Two weight classes, 2 catching teams, and 2 flocks were included in the study.Heavy animals showed more lesions than birds of the light weight class. In all investigations, lesions on the body and legs were rare, whereas wing lesions occurred at a rate of up to 15.32%. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the 2 methods or between the catching teams for both weight classes. A correlation between lesions and weight was observed, with a significant odds ratio ( OR: ) of 3.6 (95% CI: 3.299-3.957).During 2-leg catching, the animals appeared to be more restless. Workers stated that the grabbing of both legs of a bird was more difficult and that working in a crouching position for a longer time was harder.We conclude that the cautious handling of animals to reduce stress is more important than "holding animals by both legs", as has been proposed.

A sensitive electrochemical MIP sensor for salbutamol detection based on a graphene nanocomposite modified screen-printed carbon electrode was successfully demonstrated. Insertion of the graphene/ PEDOT:PSS layer prior to the MIP was aimed at enhancing the sensitivity of the sensor. Selection of a functional monomer was carried out using 1 H-NMR titration and a computational calculation was used to further investigate the template-monomer interactions. The MIP layer was constructed on top of the highly conductive nanocomposite by co-electropolymerization of 3-aminophenylboronic acid and o-phenylenediamine in the presence of salbutamol. Using differential pulse voltammetry under optimal conditions, a linear response in the range of 1 nM to 1.2 mM, with an exceptional detection limit of 100 pM (S/N ¼ 3) was obtained. The established sensor exhibited good reproducibility, reusability and stability. Additionally, good selectivity in discriminating salbutamol from other structurally related compounds could also be realized. Determination of salbutamol in real swine meat and feed samples was also successfully carried out with good recovery results.

The occurrence of Salmonella in food of animal origin in Chiang Mai province was investigated by using a cross-sectional study during several phases of the pork production chain (cutting, transport, and retail) and of the environment in the cutting unit of a slaughterhouse. In total, 173 pork samples were obtained during the cutting phase, 173 samples from transported pork, 200 samples from retail products, and 300 samples from the slaughterhouse environment. Salmonella was detected in 55.5% of freshly cut pork, 70.5% of transported pork, and 34.5% of retail products. The five most prevalent Salmonella serotypes identified were Rissen (45.3%), Typhimurium (16.3%), Krefeld (10.6%), Stanley (6.3%), and Lagos (6.0%). Carcass contamination prior to cutting and in the slaughterhouse environment appeared to be important sources of Salmonella in transported pork and retail products. As Salmonella was also found during early stages of the slaughter process, attention should focus on all stages of the pork production chain to reduce contamination level and consumer risk of infection.