Animal's Condition At The Plant
Animals which arrive at the plant in bad condition often
suffer.
- A recent survey of U.S. cow and bull slaughter plants indicated that
1% of the cull beef cows and 1.1% of the cull dairy cows arrive downed and
unable to walk (Colorado State University, 1995).
- Most of these animals were in bad condition before they left the
farm.
- Further information on death losses and metabolic stress can be found
in Gregory (1994) and Grandin (1993).
- There have also been increasing problems with very excitable cattle
and pigs which are more difficult to drive and more likely to become
excited (Grandin, 1992; 1994b).
- The author has observed that the increase in excitable cattle and
pigs appears to be in the leaner animals.
- This is an area that needs to be researched because the welfare of
excitable animals is sometimes severely compromised.
References :
Grandin, T. (1995)
Downers Are A Problem
Meat and
Poultry April ( page 10 )
Grandin, T. (1995)
Handling Hyper Hogs
Meat and Poultry
June ( page 56 )
Grandin, T.(1994)
Methods to reduce PSE and
bloodsplash
Allen D. Leman Swine
Conference Volume 21 pages 206-209
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota.
Grandin, T.(1988)
Environmental Enrichment
for Confinement Hogs
Livestock Conservation
Institute Annual Meeting Proceedings pages 119-123
1910 Lyda Drive
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42104-5809