Evaluation of environmental enrichment on thermophysical responses, carcass traits, and meat quality of finishing pigs

Tavares, Mariana Coelly Modesto Santos; Arno, Alessandra; Silveira, Robson Mateus Freitas; Lara, Idemauro Antônio Rodrigues de; Salvador, Maria Letícia; Freitas, S. P.; Silva, Iran J. O. da

doi:10.1007/s11250-023-03634-z

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…From a general standpoint, the overall prevalence of lesions seems to be similar or lower compared to other studies. For example, Tavares et al [31] scored both sides of the body and found a number of lesions comparable to the present study but a higher number of tail lesions. Calderón Díaz et al [32] assessed lesions on farm during the growing phase and found that 45% of pigs had lesions on the body and 15% on the tail, percentages that appear to be similar to the present study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Fattening Heavy Pigs Intended for Parma Ham Production

Nannoni,

Martelli,

Scozzoli

et al. 2023

Animals

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We assessed the effects of inhalation administration of lavender essential oil (LEO) either once (L1) or twice (L2) a day on animal welfare indicators, carcass and meat quality of Italian heavy pigs. Pigs (n = 108) were allotted to three experimental groups (control -C-, L1 and L2) and lavender was administered, via a vaporizer device, to the treated groups during the entire fattening–finishing period (79–160 kg BW). Tail lesion severity was reduced in L1 at the end of the trial compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Body lesion counts, however, were higher in L2 than in C (p < 0.05), resulting in a more severe overall damage classification (p < 0.01). At slaughter, no differences were observed in carcass traits or blood stress indicators, only minor differences were observed in meat quality, and no LEO residual was found in fat or lean tissues, highlighting the preserved suitability of thighs for the dry curing process. While it was not possible to conclude on the ability to improve animal welfare of vaporized LEO in this production phase, the absence of adverse effects on meat quality and the discrepancies observed regarding the body lesions in L1 and L2 make further studies on behavioral aspects and the method of administration (route, frequency) of the product desirable.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Fattening Heavy Pigs Intended for Parma Ham Production

Nannoni,

Martelli,

Scozzoli

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…The increasing concern and interest of global markets, associated with regulatory policies, has raised the demand for improvement in processes of animal production to meet animal welfare guidelines [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] and thus provide humane handling to animals and a protein production chain with high levels of animal welfare [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. An important resource to achieve these objectives is the use of environmental enrichment, which can be implemented in different stages of the production cycle [ 1 ], as well as during the pre-slaughter operations [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], to reduce the incidence of undesirable behaviors between animals by distracting them and, thus, preventing high levels of stress [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of Lairage and Environmental Enrichment on Behavioral Responses and Skin Lesions in Finishing Pigs in a Slaughterhouse

Sobral,

Silveira,

Guesine

et al. 2024

Animals

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Different resources, such as environmental enrichment, are being evaluated in order to minimize animal stress and promote better conditions during the life cycle of animals, as consumers are increasingly concerned about animal welfare issues. Lairage represents an important stage in the swine production chain and is directly related to animal welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lairage time in the slaughterhouse and environmental enrichment on the level of skin lesions and behavioral responses in pigs. A total of 648 finishing pigs of both sexes were assessed before and after lairage at the slaughterhouse with a five-point scale (0 = none, to 4 = ≥16 superficial lesions or >10 deep lesions). After lairage (after slaughter), lesions were also classified according to their source (mounting, fighting, and handling). Pigs were distributed into two treatments groups during lairage: with environmental enrichment (EE) on the pen, with hanging metal chains, and with no enrichment (NE). Behavior was monitored during the first four hours of lairage. Proportional odds, mixed linear model for longitudinal data, and non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to analyze the relation between treatments, skin lesions, and behavior. The simple metal chains did not affect skin lesion score or pigs’ behavior (p > 0.05), whereas lairage duration influenced standing (SA), sitting (S), lying (L), idleness (I), and drinking water (D) (p < 0.001). The main source of skin lesions was handling, which did not differ between treatments (EE and NE) (p > 0.05). It was observed that the severity of the lesions (highest scores of 3, 4, and 5) increased in the different anatomical regions of the pigs when compared before and after slaughter, with the exception of the frontal area, which was the same (p = 0.7547). Lairage time has a proportional relation with skin lesions, and hanging chains at the slaughterhouse pens was not enough to reduce the number of lesions and to change pig behavior.

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Environmental enrichment in finishing pigs: does it promote any changes in bone biomechanics?

Tavares,

Silveira,

Arno

et al. 2023

Trop Anim Health Prod

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Evaluation of environmental enrichment on thermophysical responses, carcass traits, and meat quality of finishing pigs

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Fattening Heavy Pigs Intended for Parma Ham Production

Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Fattening Heavy Pigs Intended for Parma Ham Production

Implications of Lairage and Environmental Enrichment on Behavioral Responses and Skin Lesions in Finishing Pigs in a Slaughterhouse

Environmental enrichment in finishing pigs: does it promote any changes in bone biomechanics?

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