Influence of Municipal Abattoir Conditions and Animal-related Factors on Avoidance-related Behaviour, Bleeding Times at Slaughter and the Quality of Lamb Meat

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of municipal abattoir conditions and animal factors on avoidance-related behaviour (AB) of sheep at slaughter, bleeding times (BT) and mutton quality. The behaviour of 66 castrates and 19 ewes of different age categories was observed at three stages of slaughter. Higher behaviour scores indicated higher levels of AB. Time intervals between the start of blood flow and the time the flow changed from a constant stream into drips were recorded as BT. Thirty two meat samples were obtained to measure quality variables. These were colour (L*, a* and b*), pH24, temperature, cooking loss (CL) and tenderness. Correlations were determined between BT and meat quality variables. Animal behaviour at slaughter differed with breed, gender and age group. Avoidance behaviour was higher in the Dorper breed than in both the Merino breed and their crosses. It was also higher in younger (<10 months) lambs than in older sheep. Castrates were more aggressive or in panic than ewes. Castrates had longer (72.6±0.53 s) BT than the ewes (63.6±2.82 s). Ewes had higher CL (39.8±1.04%) values than castrates (35.1±0.95%). Meat from castrates was tougher (32.6±1.95 N) than the meat from ewes (24.3±1.16 N). There were no significant correlations obtained between BT and meat quality variables. It can therefore be concluded that abattoir conditions, breed, age and gender had an effect on AB at slaughter. Gender had an effect on BT and mutton quality.

Pre-slaughter effects on bleed-out times and some behavioural and physiological responses of Nguni and non-descript steers

“…Multiple indicators such as response behaviour towards certain stimuli and the biochemical changes (in the blood, urine, excreta) have been used to quantify animal welfare in different conditions Gruber et al, 2010;Njisane & Muchenje, 2013a;Njisane & Muchenje, 2013b). In addition, avoidance-related behaviour and vocalization have been used to determine animal welfare in abattoirs (Grandin 1998;Manteuffel et al, 2004;Hemsworth et al, 2011;Njisane & Muchenje, 2013a;Njisane & Muchenje, 2013b).…”

“…In addition, avoidance-related behaviour and vocalization have been used to determine animal welfare in abattoirs (Grandin 1998;Manteuffel et al, 2004;Hemsworth et al, 2011;Njisane & Muchenje, 2013a;Njisane & Muchenje, 2013b). However, it should be noted that animals of the same species but varying genetically may exhibit differing response-behaviour patterns (Grignard et al, 2001).…”

A balanced perspective on animal welfare for improved meat and meat products

“…These behavioural observations have been used only in a general way without quantification such as signs of distress (jumping, bellowing, trembling, moving backwards and frequent urination). It has been reported that animals waiting for slaughter could be stressed by handling and novelty of the pre-slaughter environment (that is, the abattoir set-up), adverse weather conditions, hunger, thirst and fatigue (Muchenje et al, 2009a;Bourguet et al, 2011;Njisane & Muchenje, 20013a). A combination of behavioural and physiological measures has been used to assess animal welfare (Broom, 2000;Ndou et al, 2011).…”

An outlook on livestock welfare conditions in African communities — A review

“…This could be a reflection of the situation in many developing countries. Most slaughterhouses in rural African communities do not measure up to appropriate standards, suggesting a need to train and monitor these abattoir personnel and properly fur nish the facilities for efficient and safe operation [47,55,74,75].…”