EFFECTS OF TSPORTATION AND PRE-SLAUGHTER REST ON PIG WELFARE AND CARCASS QUALITY

S. Ribarski, N. Ivanov, D. Miteva

Abstract: The study was performed in the summer months of 2013 in a pig slaughterhouse with capacity close to the country average. The effects of transportation and pre-slaughter rest on animal welfare and carcass quality were investigated. It was established that short-distance transportation and pre-slaughter rest of up to 4 hours had no significant effects on animal welfare. Electrical stunning was one of the commonest reasons for haemorrhages in muscles and vertebral fractures. The repeated electrical stunning and prolonged time between electrical stunning and bleeding of pigs induced intramuscular haemorrhages of various extent and shape. The prevalence of carcass haemorrhages was 7.92% (3.75% ecchymoses and 4.14% petechiae). Most commonly, ecchymoses were observed in leg muscles – Musculus Gracilis, Musculus Semimembranosus and Musculus Semitendinosus. The share of carcasses exhibiting fractured vertebrae was relatively high – 63.75%. They were located in two spine topographic areas – in the region of T3-T5 (in 25% of cases) and between T11-T12 (in 75%). To prevent the appearance of carcass damage, rules for practical training of the personnel responsible for electrical stunning and bleed-out procedures should be implemented. The shortening of the period from electrical stunning to bleeding is exceptionally important as it would reduce at a greater extent the occurrence of muscle haemorrhages.

Keywords: blood spots; ecchymoses; electrical stunning; pig slaughter; pre-slaughter rest; vertebral fractures

Date published: 2017-03-21