Assessment of the welfare of broiler chicken slaughtered at commercialized poultry abattoirs in Kampala Metropolitan Uganda 

Year: 2024 

Zziwa Jonathan  
Makerere University, Uganda  

Supervisors: Dr Dickson Stuart Tayebwa and Dr Samuel George Okech (Makerere University, Uganda)   

HSA Student/Trainee Scholarship 2024 

This study investigated the welfare of broiler chickens during the slaughter process at commercial poultry abattoirs in the Kampala Metropolitan area of Uganda, focusing on transportation and slaughter. A total of eight broiler flocks, comprising 24,101 birds of two breeds, Ross and Cobb, from six farms, were assessed in two manual and one automated slaughterhouse. A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing welfare indicators measured via a tool developed after the Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol for poultry. Handling of birds was evaluated using an observation checklist, while a structured questionnaire was administered to drivers to collect transportation welfare parameters. Data analysis revealed a concerning correlation between increased transport distances and higher percentages of Dead on Arrival (DOA), ranging from 0.1% to 1.2%. Automated slaughterhouses had an average DOA of 0.24 ± 0.19%, while manual facilities reported 0.63 ± 0.61%. Crating densities differed significantly between systems, averaging 25.85 ± 2.22 kg/m² in automated versus 50.58 ± 3.98 kg/m² in manual operations, indicating increased stress for chickens in manual settings. In terms of handling practices, 63% of operations at the manual slaughterhouse were rated at to be appropriate, compared to an 85% rating at the automated house. Significant welfare concerns were noted, including inadequate environmental controls during transport, such as the absence of curtains on trucks, leading to heat stress, a lack of shelter in lairage at manual slaughterhouses, as well as high instances of pre-stun shocks in automated facilities. Key recommendations include reducing caging densities during transportation for manual slaughterhouses, enhancing staff training on appropriate handling of birds, as well as increasing the angle into the stunner to reduce pre-stun shocks. This work will serve as a critical catalyst for initiating discussions, driving action among stakeholders in the poultry industry, including farmers, transporters, and slaughterhouse operators, regarding the urgent need to implement humane practices that prioritize broiler chicken welfare in Uganda.