Title: Improving livestock, poultry, and fish welfare in slaughter plants with auditing programs and animal-based measures.
Abstract: This chapter discusses slaughter procedures with animal-based measures (ABMs), the principles of all types of stunning methods, gas and low atmospheric pressure stunning (LAPS), how to determine insensibility (unconsciousness), welfare issues associated with slaughter without stunning and how to solve animal handling and stunning problems. Animal welfare during slaughter can often be improved by making simple changes in procedures and equipment, such as installing nonslip flooring in the stun box. Training employees to move small groups of animals and to stop yelling can reduce stress. Pigs, cattle, sheep, and other livestock are sensitive to visual distractions. Adding a light to illuminate a dark race entrance, or moving a light to eliminate a reflection, can often reduce balking and facilitates animal movement. People manage the things they measure. To determine if procedures are improving or becoming worse, animal-based numerical scoring should be used. The variables that should be measured are: percentage of animals stunned effectively with one application of the stunner; percentage vocalizing (moo, bellow, squeal); percentage falling; percentage moved without an electric prod; and percentage rendered insensible before hoisting. A major cause of poor captive bolt stunning is poor gun maintenance or damp cartridges. Dehydrated animals may be difficult to stun electrically. When controlled atmosphere stunning is being evaluated, behaviour before loss of posture (ability to stand) should be monitored. Attempts to escape from the container are not acceptable.
Publication Year: 2020
Publication Date: 2020-12-21
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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