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The incidence of non-ambulatory non-injured (NANI), non-ambulatory injured (NAI) and dead pigs on-arrival at three Brazilian slaughterhouses were evaluated in 37,962 pigs to identify risk factors linked to them, besides carcass bruises and limb fractures. Total pre-slaughtering losses were 1.18%, in which NAI (0.39%) and NANI (0.37%) incidences contributed the most. A positive relation between on farm steeper ramp slope >20° and the incidence of NAI, NANI and dead pigs at unloading was found. Farm size, pigs/pen, enthalpy at loading, transportation time, truck loading order, muscle thickness and carcass weight, were identified as risk factors for pre-slaughtering losses. Loading procedures influenced the occurrence of limb fractures and bruises (which are a welfare issue and should be reduced). Therefore, personal training on pre-slaughter handling is essential to reduce the risk factors to improve animal welfare and avoid losses during the pre-slaughter process.

This study surveyed the on-farm dispatching methods used at pig farms, the characteristics of stockpeople operating them, in terms of training and management, and their opinions and attitudes about the efficiency and safety of the applied procedures. Independently of the pig type, the most used dispatching methods at the surveyed Brazilian farms were concussion (90%) and electrocution (5%). Both methods were reported as being efficient and safe for on-farm pig dispatching by most stockpeople (83%). However, 33% of all stockpeople reported they would prefer to use alternative methods, i.e., anesthetics (23%) or electrocution (32%). Only 7% of the stockpeople received training resulting in a more efficient application of the method (P

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Brain damage resulting from penetrating and non–penetrating stunning of Nelore cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns was evaluated. Heads were shot using penetrating captive bolt gun with 160 psi (P1; n = 10), 175 psi (P2; n = 10), 190 psi (P3; n = 12), and non-penetrating operating with 220 psi (NP; n = 10). Skin and bone thickness, bolt penetration angle, bolt penetration depth, haemorrhage over the cerebral hemispheres and laceration were assessed. Only P1 had shots that failed to perforate the skull (n = 2; 20%). Bolt penetration depth and haemorrhage over the right cerebral hemisphere was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for P3. Subarachnoid haemorrhage over the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes was higher for NP. Lacerations were observed only for penetrating gun in the cortical region of frontal and parietal lobes. Subarachnoid haemorrhage surrounding the brainstem and laceration in the midbrain and pons was only found for P3. Thus, penetrating captive bolt gun operating with 190 psi is more effective to achieve unconsciousness.

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects of different combinations of on-farm fasting intervals (8, 12, 16, 20 h) and 1.5 h of transport plus lairage periods (1, 3, 6 h) at different seasons summer/winter) on blood stress parameters (cortisol and lactate), stomach content and weight, skin lesion and meat quality in a total of 960 pigs from eight farms. Blood lactate levels were greater in the summer (P < 0.001) and stomach content was affected (P < 0.05) by season, on-farm fasting interval (P < 0.001), lairage time (P < 0.0001). Stomach content weight reduces as the total feed withdrawal time increases up to onfarm fasting of 17 and 1 h of lairage. Stomach content can be influenced by feed and water in different ways according to treatments. Only 8 h of on-farm fasting is not enough to empty stomachs from feed content. However, an on-farm fasting period of 16 h or longer can also increase the occurrence of more water in the stomachs. Carcass lesions caused by fighting were greater (P ≤ 0.005) in the winter, mainly after 3 and 6 h of lairage (P ≤ 0.005). Loin and ham pHu was lower (P ≤ 0.05) for pigs slaughtered after 6 h of lairage during the summer. The application of 12 h of on-farm fasting with 6 h of lairage seemed to be best combination to reduce stomach content weight (feed and water). In the winter, shorter lairage period can be used to reduce percentage of skin lesions and better pork quality traits in pigs. Resumo: Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar os efeitos de diferentes combinações de intervalos de jejum na fazenda (8, 12, 16, 20 h) e 1,5 h de períodos de transporte mais de cativeiro (1, 3, 6 h) em diferentes estações do verão / inverno) nos parâmetros de estresse do sangue (cortisol e lactato), conteúdo e peso estomacal, lesão da pele e qualidade da carne em um total de 960 suínos de oito fazendas. Os níveis de lactato sanguíneo foram maiores no verão (P

A total of 1,728 pigs were transported to slaughter using two double-decked trucks, one featuring a hydraulic deck (HD) to load and unload the upper level and the other presenting a fixed upper deck (FD) only accessible by a ramp. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effects of the loading and unloading system of the truck on behaviour, blood parameters (cortisol, lactate and creatine kinase [CK]), skin lesions and meat quality traits. The use of HD resulted in easier and faster loading (P < 0.05 for both) compared with the FD. Blood cortisol levels were influenced by the loading/unloading system, with lower (P < 0.05) levels being found in pigs using HD transport when compared to those using FD transport. Truck type had no effect on the incidence of skin lesions and pork quality in this study (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that the use of the truck model featuring the upper hydraulic deck should be recommended to ease of handling at loading improving animal welfare and reducing the work load of handlers., El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar los efectos del sistema de carga y descarga de camiones de dos pisos en el comportamiento, parámetros fisiológicos (cortisol, lactato, creatina quinasa [CK], lesiones en la piel y la calidad de carne de los cerdos). Para ello, 1.728 cerdos fueron transportados a una planta faenadora de carnes utilizando dos camiones de dos pisos con diferentes sistemas, uno con piso hidráulico (HD) para el carga y descarga desde la planta superior, y otro con piso superior fijo (FD), accesible solo por medio de rampas de carga y descarga. El uso de HD resultó en una mayor facilidad y un menor tiempo de carga (P < 0,05 para ambos) en comparación con el FD. Los niveles de cortisol de los cerdos fueron influenciados por el sistema de carga y descarga, encontrándose los niveles más bajos (P < 0,05) en los cerdos transportados con HD en comparación con con FD. El modelo del camión no afectó la incidencia de lesiones de la piel y la calidad de la carne de los cerdos en este estudio (P > 0,05). Por tanto, se puede concluir que el uso de modelos de camiones equipados con piso hidráulico puede ser recomendado para aumentar la facilidad de manipulación de los cerdos durante la carga, y por consiguiente, reducir la mano de obra de los trabajadores y mejorar el bienestar animal.

The electroencephalographic (EEG) responses of 31 bulls (zebu crossbred cattle) stunned with either pneumatically powered Jarvis penetrating (PCB) or non-penetrating captive bolt (NPCB) was examined. Animals were organized into two treatment groups: PCB (n = 20); and NPCB (n = 11) stunning, both using airline pressures of 220 psi (1517 kPa). All bulls shot with PCB (n = 20/20) had patterns of EEG activity that were inconsistent with consciousness. Of the cattle shot with NPCB 82% (n = 9/11) showed waveforms suggesting complete unconsciousness. After stunning two NPCB bulls had periods of normal EEG activity and maintenance (Ptot, delta, theta, beta) or increased (alpha) spectral power compared to pre-treatment values, indicating incomplete concussion. The study showed that pneumatic PCB stunning was effective in rendering all bulls unconscious, while NPCB was less effective. This highlights the potential animal welfare risks associated with NPCB compared to PCB stunning of mature bulls in commercial abattoirs.