Handling modules

Left and centre: Handling modules using a forklift truck. Right: Manual handling of containers. Photograph: Lotta Berg, SLU.

When containers/modules are stacked at the slaughterhouse to await slaughter, they constitute a form of lairage. It is important to bear this in mind as special rules must be followed in this regard. Lairage is sometimes necessary so that animals can be slaughtered without longer periods of interruption and at a certain speed. The logistics for incoming animal transports are also of significance with regard to the need for lairage.

Poultry in containers should be slaughtered as soon as possible after arrival. It is not practicably possible to offer access to water (or food) to birds lairaged in containers, which is why long-term lairage in such containers is not permitted. The Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and guidelines (SJVFS 2012:27) on slaughter or killing of animals, ref. no. L22: 

The Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and guidelines (SJVFS 2012:27) on slaughter and killing of animals, ref. no. L22, indicates specific space requirements that must be met even when the birds are kept in transport containers. The following paragraphs are also important to observe in the case of the shorter lairage periods in containers normally taking place in anticipation of slaughter:

Climate is crucial to animal welfare while they await slaughter. Birds are sensitive to high/low temperatures and draughts, and they are often handled in heavily loaded containers which makes it difficult to regulate ventilation and temperature. In such systems, there is a major need to extract the moist air breathed out by the animals. This gives the animals fresh, oxygen-rich air while also reducing ambient humidity and temperature; particularly important at high temperatures. During lairage, containers/modules are stacked in rows and efficient ventilation is required to ensure a good throughflow of air in and around the containers.

Left: Example of a ventilation fan in the lairage hall. See arrow Right: Evenly distributed ventilation pipes can achieve a good throughflow of air in the modules. See arrows. Photograph: Lotta Berg, SLU.

The birds being slaughtered have good sight and are normally sensitive to very bright light. Therefore, the lighting in areas for poultry should be subdued. Birds that have spent time outdoors are more used to daylight and are less affected by strong indoor lighting. Some facilities use what is known as “blue light”, which provides acceptable work lighting. With this, animals have a tendency to remain calmer.

The pictures above show examples of blue lighting, which does not worry the poultry as much as ordinary indoor lighting.
Photograph: Lotta Berg, SLU.

Poultry have well-developed hearing, and it can be assumed that just like humans, they are disturbed and frightened by sudden loud noises in unknown environments. Animals are mainly worried by noises from unfamiliar people (shouting, loud whistling, etc.), and so you should work as quietly as possible while handling animals. Ventilation fans, compressors and other machinery often causes noise and may need to be soundproofed in various ways. Noise from cleaning empty cages should also be kept to a minimum, along with noise from forklift operation (e.g. beeping to indicate that a forklift truck is reversing).