The Republic of Korea has experienced rapid economic growth alongside increasing concern for animal welfare. However, progress in improving farm animal welfare remains slow, particularly in slaughterhouses, which are recognized as critical points for animal welfare concerns due to numerous issues observed. Due to the impracticality of assessing all slaughterhouses nationwide, this study conducted a field survey of seven chicken slaughterhouses utilizing the widely adopted WQ® protocol. The evaluation criteria included crate density, rough handling, plumage loss and emaciation, panting or huddling, wing flapping, vocalization, leg fractures, and dead-on arrival (DOA). Given that broilers are transported in crates from farms to the stunning area, the relationship between crate density and these welfare indicators was analyzed. The significance level was set at <0.05. Revealed correlations between crate density and various health and welfare indicators, including rough handling, plumage loss and emaciation, crate height, panting or huddling, pen spacing, lairage temperature and humidity, wing flapping, vocalization, and DOA. This study represents a pioneering effort in the Korean poultry industry, marking the first development of a welfare standard for chicken slaughterhouses.

Abstract
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
    Selection of slaughterhouses
    Assessment methods
    Field assessment
    Unloading
    Lairage
    Moving to and during stunning
    Statistical analysis
RESULTS
    Analysis of differences between poultry slaughterhouses
    Analysis of variables in relation to crate density
DISCUSSION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES

• Chae Eun Chun(Veterinary Science Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)
• Joo Seong Kim(College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)
• Nonghoon Choe(College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)
• Jin Soo Han(Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Institute for the 3Rs & Animal Welfare, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)
• Hye Jin Kang(Department of Horse, Compaion and Wild Animal Science, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangjui 41566, Korea, Korea Institute of Animals and Environmental Research, Seoul 08763, Korea) Corresponding author