TY - THES A1 - Nshemeza, Kaitlyn T1 - Assessment of the Biological root cause of Chicken Wing bone damage during chicken processing. N2 - Abstract The Poultry industry plays a significant role in meeting global demand for protein-rich food. However, there is a significant challenge in chicken processing which involves the occurrence of wing breakage that impacts both the aesthetic quality of the product and raises concerns regarding animal welfare and economic sustainability. This thesis aims to investigate the underlying biological factors associated with wing damage during processing by comparing wing structures of broilers raised under different management systems. This investigation focuses on exploring the chicken wing breakage contributing factors and cultivating a better understanding of this challenge to aid the chicken processing industry. This objective will be achieved by a comparative analysis of internal wing structures with a focus on distal humeral growth plate development observed in chicken wings from broilers raised under different production systems. The packaging and selling of damaged chicken wings for human consumption is prohibited by the European Union due to the potential health risks and aesthetic reasons. Hence, the disposal of chicken carcasses with wing damage results in financial losses for the company. An internal comparative analysis of the chicken wings aided by dissection techniques as well as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry analysis of elements present at the bone growth plates will be carried out with an intention of quantifying the structural variations in broiler wings from different management systems. By elucidating the internal features and compositions of the different chicken wings with comparison to relevant literature and recent related discoveries, this research seeks to identify biological factors potentially responsible for wing damage among different broilers, allowing further intervention strategies within the industry. The findings from this study have implications for both industry practices and animal welfare standards. By discovering potential biological root causes of wing damage, this research provides valuable insights for optimizing processing protocols and equipment design to minimize trauma to birds and enhance product quality. In addition, a deeper understanding of physiological responses of chicken to processing stress can encourage more humane and efficient poultry handling practices and management strategies to reduce losses from wastage as well as chicken welfare improvement in commercial broiler production. The overall contribution of this thesis is towards the advancement of knowledge in poultry production and the importance of considering the biological factors and internal structures of chicken wings in designing processing systems. Through collaborative efforts between researchers, stakeholders and other parties involved, the insights gained from this study will aid sustainable practices that prioritize animal welfare, product quality assurance and economic sustainability in the poultry industry. KW - Chicken processing, wing bone damage, underlying biological factors, Growth plate development, Broiler management systems, Wing structural differences, animal welfare, economic sustainability. Y1 - 2024 PB - Hochschule Rhein Waal CY - Kleve, Germany ER -