Heat stress and cramped conditions: our new investigation on the transport of laying hens
When the transporter carrying the spent laying hens finally stops, we can inspect it.
Our project managers Iris Baumgärtner and Magda Romanska wait for animal transporters together with Stephane from Welfarm.
Last week, we teamed up with the French animal welfare organization Welfarm to investigate the transport of birds across Germany. After a start that required patience, we were successful and documented the loading and transport of spent laying hens. Once again, we were able to prove that birds are neglected in the EU Animal Transport Regulation.
Our investigation began with lots of waiting: we spent two days and nights on the main transport route from West to East Germany without seeing a single animal transporter. Then, on the third day, we finally had success. We spotted a truck with empty crates belonging to a Polish slaughterhouse. We followed it to a farm where spent laying hens are kept.
As soon as chickens lose their laying ability—usually between 52 and 78 weeks of age—they are loaded into animal containers for transport. We observed this process from a hiding place. Although the loading began efficiently, it took longer with each additional truck—in some cases up to two and a half hours.
Temperature rises rapidly during standstill
We followed a truck that left the farm. After four hours, it stopped at a rest stop and we approached the vehicle to check on the animals. The hens were crammed into the containers and could hardly move. Unfortunately, we were unable to count them or measure the space because the view was covered with curtains.
However, we managed to measure the temperature inside the truck. What we found is alarming: although it was only 14.5 °C outside, the temperatures inside ranged from 25 to 30 °C, depending on the position in the truck.
And the temperatures continued to rise: After 25 minutes of standing still, the thermometer already showed an alarming 33 to 34 °C. The animals were crammed together, unable to stand up or spread their wings, and were helplessly exposed to the increasing heat. Birds regulate their temperature by fluffing up their feathers and spreading their wings—impossible in crowded transporters.
No temperature restrictions in the regulation
Current EU legislation (Regulation 1/2005) does not specify any temperature limits for domesticated birds during transport. The new draft also only takes laying hens into account. Other poultry species such as broilers, turkeys, geese, and ducks are not covered. Yet these animals are extremely sensitive to heat and urgently need better protection.
We are calling for clear temperature limits and better transport conditions – for all species of domestic birds. The revised EU Transport Regulation must finally take the protection of these animals seriously—for greater animal welfare on Europe's roads.
