This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on ensuring animal welfare during transport and slaughter.
The first chapter examines the impact of transport on beef and dairy cattle, as well as the effects of transport on carcass quality issues, such as bruising and dark cutting beef. It details how conditions can be optimised to ensure the welfare needs of the animal are met during all stages of transport.
The second chapter reviews the legislation and codes of practice surrounding the transport and slaughter of cows to be culled as a result of disease or the development of health conditions such as lameness.
The third chapter considers the effects of transport, handling and slaughter practices on pigs as well as physiological effects on carcass and meat quality.
The fourth chapter explores current approaches used to stun poultry before slaughter, including electrical stunning and controlled atmosphere stunning. The chapter reviews the associated risks and benefits of each approach to overall bird health and welfare.
The final chapter reviews the main welfare issues associated with management of sheep once they leave the farm, including transport by road and sea, use of holding facilities as well as handling and stunning of sheep at abattoirs.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - Optimizing welfare in transport and slaughter of cattle: Jan Shearer, Iowa State University, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Culling and permanent herd removals 3 Transport of cattle to markets and slaughter facilities 4 Trends in transport of dairy and beef cattle 5 Muscling and body condition of cull cows arriving at slaughter plants 6 Hide and carcass bruising evaluation 7 Optimising welfare during the pre-transport stage 8 Welfare of cattle during transport 9 Welfare of cattle at slaughter 10 Summary 11 Where to look for further information 12 References
Chapter taken from: Endres, M. (ed.), Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of dairy cattle, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2021, (ISBN 978 1 78676 459 1)
Chapter 2 - Ensuring the welfare of culled dairy cows during transport and slaughter: Carmen Gallo and Ana Strappini, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile; 1 Introduction 2 Legislation and codes of practice 3 Pre-transport conditions that influence the welfare of cows during transport 4 Welfare of culled cows during transport 5 The effects of livestock markets on cow welfare 6 Welfare of cows at the slaughter plant 7 Conclusions 8 Where to look for further information 9 References
Chapter taken from: Webster, J. (ed.), Achieving sustainable production of milk – Volume 3: Dairy herd management and welfare, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2017, (ISBN 978 1 78676 052 4)
Chapter 3 - Optimising pig welfare during transport, lairage and slaughter: Luigi Faucitano, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada; and Antonio Velarde, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Spain; 1 Introduction 2 Welfare during transport 3 Welfare in lairage 4 Welfare during stunning and slaughter 5 Animal welfare audit protocols 6 Conclusion and future trends 7 Where to look for further information 8 References
Chapter taken from: Edwards, S. (ed.), Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of pigs, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2021, (ISBN 978 1 78676 443 0)
Chapter 4 - Improving welfare in poultry slaughter: Dorothy McKeegan, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK; and Jessica Martin, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK; 1 Introduction 2 Lairage 3 Stunning methods 4 Conclusions 5 Where to look for further information 6 References
Chapter taken from: Nicol, C. (ed.), Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2020, (ISBN 978 1 78676 422 5)
Chapter 5 - Humane transport, lairage and slaughter of sheep: P. H. Hemsworth and E. C. Jongman, University of Melbourne, Australia; 1 Introduction 2 Animal welfare and its assessment 3 Transporting sheep 4 Abattoirs 5 Sheep pen design: rest and recovery in lairage 6 Sheep handling 7 Stunning 8 Safeguarding animal welfare 9 Future trends and conclusion 10 Where to look for further information 11 Acknowledgements 12 References
Chapter taken from: Greyling, J. (ed.), Achieving sustainable production of sheep, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2017, (ISBN 978 1 78676 084 5)
