Factors intrinsic to handling and transport in pre-slaughter behavioural changes in beef cattle

Ricardo Zambarda Vaz1, Maryelen Medianeira Martins Dutra2, Rangel Fernandes Pacheco3, Leonir Luiz Pascoal2, Javier Alexander Bethancourt-Garcia4, Fabiano Nunes Vaz5, Sabrina Amália Jappe3, Haylleen Aparecida Oliveira Menezes de Sá1, João Restle6
1Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, Palmeira das Missões, Brazil
2Department of Animal Science Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
3Department of Animal Science Department, Farroupilha Federal Institute, Frederico Westphalen, Brazil
4Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
5Department of Agricultural Education and Rural Extension, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
6Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil

Tóm tắt

The aim of this study was to evaluate handling and transport variables as potential causes of disturbed behaviour in response to seeing a person on an overhead observation platform during pre-slaughter in batches of females and castrated males composed of pure or crossed Bos Taurus animals (Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus, Hereford and Charolais) with a maximum of 37.5% Bos indicus, and maturity at slaughter varying from zero to eight teeth, coming from pasture and confined systems. For the batches of castrated males, the independent variables included the distance covered on the trip, and the handling and facilities on the farms. For the female batches, the variables were travel time and waiting time prior to unloading. For both sexes, the presence of horns in the batches and the load density were included in the regression equations. Disturbed behaviour, the result of factors related to animal handling and transportation, is detrimental to satisfactory results in production systems. It is up to the managers in the production chain to seek alternatives in order to minimise inappropriate behaviour, which is one determinant of loss. Handling and transport are determining factors in the behaviour of beef cattle during the pre-slaughter period.

Tài liệu tham khảo

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