Poultry Mortality and Dead-on-Arrival Welfare Metrics

Monitoring dead-on-arrival rates at slaughter and on-farm mortality provides sensitive welfare indicators; high rates signal welfare problems that flock inspection often fails to detect.

Key Facts

EU welfare regulations require investigation when DOA rates exceed 0.3% in broiler transport
On-farm daily mortality logging detects welfare-relevant disease significantly earlier than scheduled veterinary visits
Cumulative mortality curves enable identification of welfare-relevant patterns across the growing cycle
Processing plant records of DOA, welfare lesions, and carcass condemnation rate are important welfare data sources

Welfare Considerations

Mortality and DOA metrics provide objective, readily verifiable welfare outcome data that complements pen-side welfare assessment. High DOA rates reflect welfare problems during catching and transport; elevated on-farm mortality reflects flock health and management quality; carcass condemnation rates reflect on-farm disease burden. Integrating these data sources with pen-side welfare observations provides a comprehensive welfare picture that no single indicator alone can deliver. Independent verification of mortality data is essential for this system to function effectively.

What You Can Do

Support assurance schemes requiring integration of mortality, DOA, and carcass rejection data
Advocate for independent verification of on-farm mortality records submitted to assurance schemes
Raise awareness that poultry mortality data is a welfare resource that should be routinely reported and monitored