Per the advice of Eyes on Animals, poultry slaughterhouse Remkes whitewashed the floor of their covered parking lot for poultry trucks. By whitening it, the floor reflects more sunlight and therefor decreases the temperature of the parking area. The temperature above the white floors are about 3-4 degrees lower than above regular floors – therefore reducing the risk for heat stress for the chickens waiting in the trucks. With these changes, Remkes makes an important improvement in animal welfare. Remkes is also experimenting with other measures to reduce heat stress. We would like to compliment Remkes on their efforts against heat stress.
We continue to emphasize that slaughterhouses need to build larger and cooled lairages so that the animals can be unloaded immediately upon arrival and do not have to wait in a parking area.
