Chapter 4 - Cadavers

Broilers that die from causes other than slaughter are condemned under the ‘cadaver’ category. The effect of live haul on the number of DOAs is not reflected in the condemnation records since the dead birds do not enter the processing line. Typically, a chicken is not dead at the time of entering the scald vat and, upon submersion into the scald water, drowns. The presence of cadavers in the processing line is also an animal welfare issue. Improvements in stunning and processing equipment have resulted in a major decline in the number of cadavers condemned in broiler processing plants in the U.S. (from 13.51% of condemned carcasses in 2001 to 3.13% in 2007) but more improvement is required.

Processing of cadavers results in inadequate bleeding of the carcass – a pumping heart is required to get an adequate bleed out.