This research aims to evaluate the microclimate of commercial loads of broiler chickens at different distances in the summer (rainy) and winter (dry) seasons and their effects on meat quality. Twelve broiler loads were monitored with a total of 24 crates per load. Data loggers were used to record temperature and relative humidity. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with 48 treatments in a factorial scheme (2 seasons: rainy and dry) x 2 (distances: short and long) x 12 (positions), with 3 replicates per experimental group. In the rainy season, meat quality was influenced by transport distance. For longer distances, it recorded the highest enthalpy comfort index (ECI), suggesting a tendency of dark, firm, and dry meat (DFD-like) and lower cooking losses (CL). The lowest ECI was recorded during the transport in dry season. Broiler chickens transported and slaughtered in the winter presented meat pH and L* (lightness) classified as "normal," but with higher cooking losses. For the shear force (SF), the seasons and distances had no significant influence on tenderness of the meat. Regarding the crate positioning in the load, no effect was observed during transport on this variable, given the meat quality characteristics of pH, L*, CL, and SF. These results suggest that the distance and the seasons present more influence on broiler meat quality than crate position in the truck.
The goal of this research was to evaluate the microclimate (temperature, relative humidity and ECI-enthalpy comfort index) of commercial loads of broiler chickens at different transport distances: Dist15 (15 km on average) and Dist90 (90 km on average) in the summer and winter seasons and their effects on the production parameters body weight difference (BWD), mortality (%) and bruising prevalence (%). Twelve broiler loads were monitored using dataloggers to record temperature and humidity, with a total of 24 target crates per load. The experiment followed a factorial design [2 seasons (rainy and dry) × 2 distances (Dist15 and Dist90)] with a randomized complete block arrangement, 3 sexes (all males, all females, or mixed shipments) and one shipment per combination. BWD had a heterogeneous distribution throughout the load, and this distribution was not significantly correlated with the mean ECI measured during transport at 12 positions along the load. In terms of comfort, summer is the most critical period for broiler transport. In the interaction between rainy season and Dist90, the highest ECI was scored in the lethal zone (where physiological mechanisms are not enough to control body temperature). Mortality during the rainy season was not significantly different between distances. However, during the dry season, mortality was twice as high as broilers that travelled for 15 km. The prevalence of bruising on carcasses was not affected by the interaction between season and distance. As we know, broiler chicken performance, during transport, can be also related to road conditions, being hard to evaluate the real impact of seasons and distances on animal welfare. Load microclimate can compromise broiler chicken welfare during transport and it does not necessary reflect significant losses pre and post-slaughter.
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