Factors affecting live shrink loss in commercial broilers

Abstract

The study was aimed at assessing the extent of live shrink loss (%) experienced by the broilers during transportation from the points of production to marketing centres. A total of 2.42 million broilers weighing 4717 MT brought by 1248 truck loads into Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India for marketing were involved. The study period covered three different seasons namely rainy, winter and summer, the distance of transportation was classified as less than 100 km, 101-200 km, 201-300 km and above 300 km and the duration of transportation was classified as less than three hours, 3-6, 6-9 and above nine hours. The season of transport did not influence live shrink loss (%), while a linear increase in such a loss was witnessed with increase in both the distance or duration of transport. Consequent economic loss due to live shrink loss suffered by the Indian poultry meat industry was estimated to be around INR. 2,905 crores annually. Administration of B complex vitamins and ascorbic acid at the suggested levels were found to be useful in significantly (P  0.01) reducing live shrink loss during transportation of broilers.