Dataset for: A decade of evidence on broiler chicken dead-on-arrival rates and risk factors

Broiler chickens can experience significant distress during the period before slaughter, and some birds die before they arrive at the slaughter plant. These early deaths raise serious animal welfare concerns. The aim of this review was to examine existing research to understand how often these deaths occur and what factors increase the risk. We examined published studies from the past decade that reported rates and factors linked to these deaths. The review identified several risk factors that could be grouped into four main areas: poor bird health, distress, exposure to extreme temperatures, and physical injury. Factors related to flock health, catching and loading methods, and environmental conditions during transportation were especially important. Overall, this review shows that many factors can contribute to an early death, but there are also opportunities to reduce the issue. Consideration of the bird’s health, careful handling, and adjusting practices to weather conditions can help improve animal welfare and reduce death rates.