[Observations on abattoir personnel on the use of prodding sticks on slaughter pigs in the entrance area of the restrainer].

The impact of four animal handler with varying degrees of experience was evaluated by examining the behaviour of a total of 656 slaughter pigs in the entrance area of the restrainer. The evaluation of the handler was directly based on the behaviour of pigs that was ultimately influenced by the use of electric prods and sticks. The usage of prods and sticks varied to a great extent between handlers (i.e., one handler used the electric prod in 96.4% of all cases). From protection of animals point of view is the assessment of usage in this area different. The majority of animals (> or = 50%) only enter the restrainer after being pushed by a prod or stick. The desired voluntary entrance of pigs into the restrainer was only realized by a few animals. Increasing the number of pigs that voluntarily enter the restrainer is the ultimate goal that can only be achieved after clearly identifying the reasons for disturbance and through improvement of construction details that consider the behaviour of the animal.