February 24, 2010

Canadian researchers find new method to cut poultry losses

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, have developed a way to reduce mortalities from cold in chickens during transport to the processing plant.

Chickens deaths are high in Saskatchewan during the winter, when they are being trucked to the processing plant.

Trever Crowe, a professor in the university's department of agricultural and bioresource engineering, and his team have built a semi-trailer for transporting poultry that is outfitted with heaters and fans.

Crowe said, "With more active air flowing through the truck, the birds stay drier, and they are more easily able to maintain their heat, and that makes a better, uniform meat quality."

He also noted that it is important for the poultry industry to keep the birds comfortable.