Evaluation of the Factors Affecting the Mortality Rate in Poultry Transport via Panel Data Analysis

In this study, we evaluated some of the factors that affect mortality rate during transport from broiler poultry houses to slaughterhouses by conducting panel data analysis. We analyzed the data obtained from 26,599 broiler farms transported to the slaughterhouse from contracted broiler farms in 11 provinces in Turkey. Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) tests were performed to evaluate whether the series forming the dataset were stationary. To analyze individual effects, parameters were estimated using fixed and random effects models. To decide which of the two models was valid, the Hausman test and fixed effects panel data analysis were performed. The fixed effects model explained 90.93% of the changes in the mortality rate through the independent variables. In the non-periodical fixed-effect panel data analysis, the mortality rate shows a significant (p<0.01) effect between the number of animals alive, number of animals dead, mean and total live weight at poultry farm exit, mean live weight at slaughterhouse arrival, and different variables. Our results showed that the estimation equations developed using model parameters to determine the mortality rate during transportation from different provinces could contribute to effective production planning.(AU)

Analysis of Different Production Systems in Laying Hen Enterprises with Analytic Hierarchy Process in Turkey

The present study aimed to evaluated the enterprises engaged in conventional cage, enriched cage, free-range and organic egg production in Turkey in terms of four different criteria (profit, investment cost, animal welfare/health and sales/marketing) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). For this purpose, the questionnaires through face-to-face interviews were conducted with a total of 64 producers who had been determined by random sampling method from 5 different regions included 17 Provinces between November 2016 and March 2019, and primary data were obtained. As a result, it has been found strategically significant that enterprises, to be engaged at the level of 47.0%, 20.0%, 18.0% and 15.0% in conventional, enriched, free-range and organic cage systems, respectively, in the market in terms of profit, investment cost, animal welfare/health and sales /marketing criteria. In addition, in the enterprises within the scope of the research, the profit, investment cost, sales/marketing and animal welfare/health criteria were determined as the dominant criteria at the level of 53.5%, 22.0%, 13.5% and 11.0% respectively. In conclusion, the conventional cage system is dominant with the rates of 55.0% for profit and 53.0% for investment cost criteria, and both of the conventional and enriched systems in terms of sales/marketing criteria are 38.5% dominant and the organic system in terms of animal welfare/health is 46.0% dominant.(AU)

Analysis of Different Production Systems in Laying Hen Enterprises with Analytic Hierarchy Process in Turkey

The present study aimed to evaluated the enterprises engaged in conventional cage, enriched cage, free-range and organic egg production in Turkey in terms of four different criteria (profit, investment cost, animal welfare/health and sales/marketing) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). For this purpose, the questionnaires through face-to-face interviews were conducted with a total of 64 producers who had been determined by random sampling method from 5 different regions included 17 Provinces between November 2016 and March 2019, and primary data were obtained. As a result, it has been found strategically significant that enterprises, to be engaged at the level of 47.0%, 20.0%, 18.0% and 15.0% in conventional, enriched, free-range and organic cage systems, respectively, in the market in terms of profit, investment cost, animal welfare/health and sales /marketing criteria. In addition, in the enterprises within the scope of the research, the profit, investment cost, sales/marketing and animal welfare/health criteria were determined as the dominant criteria at the level of 53.5%, 22.0%, 13.5% and 11.0% respectively. In conclusion, the conventional cage system is dominant with the rates of 55.0% for profit and 53.0% for investment cost criteria, and both of the conventional and enriched systems in terms of sales/marketing criteria are 38.5% dominant and the organic system in terms of animal welfare/health is 46.0% dominant.

The relationship between consumption of animal products and expenditure levels with Quality of Life Scores (SF-36) by veterinary students in Turkey / [A relação entre o consumo de produtos de origem animal e níveis de gasto com Scores de Qualidade de Vida (SF-36) por alunos de veterinária na Turquia]

The present study aimed to calculate the quality of life scores (Short Form-36) of veterinary students in Turkey and review their scores with regards to different socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 1211 students studying veterinary medicine in 26 different faculties in Turkey were selected by stratified sampling method and were asked questions concerning their consumption of and expenditures on foods of animal origin using the SF-36 questionnaire between October and December 2018. Significant differences were found between SF-36 components in terms of year level, gender, accommodation status, income level, and level of expenditures on foods and foods of animal origin (P<0.01). With the increase in the size of the budget set aside for animal products, the scores in the domains of physical functioning, vitality, mental health, pain, and general health perception also enhanced, and statistically significant differences were found (P<0.01). The low quality of life scores of the veterinary students can be improved by increasing their income level and consumption of foods of animal origin. This will ensure that they are energetic and have the desired level of mental and general health perceptions.(AU)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo calcular os escores de qualidade de vida (SF-36) de estudantes de veterinária na Turquia e revisar seus escores no que diz respeito a diferentes características sociodemográficas. Um total de 1211 estudantes de medicina veterinária em 26 faculdades diferentes na Turquia foram selecionados pelo método de amostragem estratificada e foram questionadas sobre o consumo e as despesas com alimentos de origem animal usando o questionário SF-36 entre outubro e dezembro de 2018. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os participantes do SF-36 em termos de nível do ano, gênero, status de acomodação, nível de renda e nível de gastos com alimentos e alimentos de origem animal (P <0,01). Com o aumento do orçamento reservado para produtos de origem animal, as pontuações nos domínios de funcionamento físico, vitalidade, saúde mental, dor e percepção geral de saúde também aumentaram e foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (P <0,01). Os baixos índices de qualidade de vida dos veterinários podem ser melhorados, aumentando o nível de renda e o consumo de alimentos de origem animal. Isso garantirá mais energia e que tenham o nível desejado de percepção mental e geral de saúde.(AU)

Effects of Transportation Distance, Slaughter Age, and Seasonal Factors on Total Losses in Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT This study aimed at determining the total losses associated with the season, transportation distance, and slaughter age during the transportation of broilers from poultry farms to slaughterhouses in Turkey. All data and parameters were statistically analyzed and the change in total loss during transportation was evaluated by two-way analysis of variance to determine which factors or variables affect this change. Total transportation losses were compared among the four seasons of the year, two slaughter ages (younger broiler, 31-39 days of age; older broilers 40-46 days of age) and three distance ranges (short, 50 km; medium, 51-150 km; and long, 151 km). Total losses of 259.40 g, 307.35 g, and 350.14 g were determined for short, medium and long distances, respectively, indicating that losses increased with transportation distance (p 0.05). Broilers slaughtered at a younger age presented lower total losses than those slaughtered at an older age (p 0.05). When seasons were evaluated, the highest total loss was determined in the summer, which was not statistically different from that calculated for autumn, whereas total transportation losses in spring and winter were found relatively lower. The study showed long-distance transportation in the winter considerably increased total losses to levels similar to those obtained in the summer.

Effects of Transportation Distance, Slaughter Age, and Seasonal Factors on Total Losses in Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT This study aimed at determining the total losses associated with the season, transportation distance, and slaughter age during the transportation of broilers from poultry farms to slaughterhouses in Turkey. All data and parameters were statistically analyzed and the change in total loss during transportation was evaluated by two-way analysis of variance to determine which factors or variables affect this change. Total transportation losses were compared among the four seasons of the year, two slaughter ages (younger broiler, 31-39 days of age; older broilers 40-46 days of age) and three distance ranges (short, 50 km; medium, 51-150 km; and long, 151 km). Total losses of 259.40 g, 307.35 g, and 350.14 g were determined for short, medium and long distances, respectively, indicating that losses increased with transportation distance (p 0.05). Broilers slaughtered at a younger age presented lower total losses than those slaughtered at an older age (p 0.05). When seasons were evaluated, the highest total loss was determined in the summer, which was not statistically different from that calculated for autumn, whereas total transportation losses in spring and winter were found relatively lower. The study showed long-distance transportation in the winter considerably increased total losses to levels similar to those obtained in the summer.(AU)