Transportation of market-weight pigs: II. Effect of season and location within truck on behavior with an eight-hour transport1

Torrey, Stephanie; Bergeron, Renée; Faucitano, L.; Widowski, Tina M.; Lewis, N. J.; Crowe, T. G.; Correa, J. A.; Brown, Jennifer A.; Hayne, S. M.; Gonyou, H. W.

doi:10.2527/jas.2012-6006

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…These results agree with Dalla Costa et al [5] and Eldridge and Winfield [26] who found that environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, affect the incidence of skin bruises. In a recent study on the effects of season and location inside the truck on pig behaviour, Torrey et al [27] observed more slips, falls, overlaps and backward at unloading in summer than in winter. Also in cattle, skin damage scores were found to be higher in warmer environments [28].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Deck Level, Body Surface Temperature and Carcass Damages in Italian Heavy Pigs after Short Journeys at Different Unloading Environmental Conditions

Arduini

Redaelli

Luzi

et al. 2017

Animals

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Simple SummaryTransport duration and thermal conditions can negatively affect pig welfare and carcass quality. The effects of short journeys (30 min) in different thermal-humidity conditions on the body surface temperature of live heavy pigs and carcass skin damage were examined. Body temperature increased with increasing Temperature Humidity Index (THI) class. The highest and lowest body surface temperatures were found in pigs located on the middle and upper decks, respectively. THI class significantly affected skin damage scores, which increased with increasing THI class. Even at relatively low temperatures and THI, the results of this study suggested the need to increase the control of environmental conditions in the truck during short-distance transport of pigs, in order to improve welfare and reduce loss of carcass value.AbstractIn order to evaluate the relationships between deck level, body surface temperature and carcass damages after a short journey (30 min), 10 deliveries of Italian heavy pigs, including a total of 1400 animals from one farm, were examined. Within 5 min after the arrival at the abattoir, the vehicles were unloaded. Environmental temperature and relative humidity were recorded and a Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was calculated. After unloading, maximum temperatures of dorsal and ocular regions were measured by a thermal camera on groups of pigs from each of the unloaded decks. After dehairing, quarters and whole carcasses were evaluated subjectively by a trained operator for skin damage using a four-point scale. On the basis of THI at unloading, deliveries were grouped into three classes. Data of body surface temperature and skin damage score were analysed in a model including THI class, deck level and their interaction. Regardless of pig location in the truck, the maximum temperature of the dorsal and ocular regions increased with increasing THI class. Within each THI class, the highest and lowest body surface temperatures were found in pigs located on the middle and upper decks, respectively. Only THI class was found to affect the skin damage score (p < 0.05), which increased on quarters and whole carcasses with increasing THI class. The results of this study on short-distance transport of Italian heavy pigs highlighted the need to control and ameliorate the environmental conditions in the trucks, even at relatively low temperature and THI, in order to improve welfare and reduce loss of carcass value.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Deck Level, Body Surface Temperature and Carcass Damages in Italian Heavy Pigs after Short Journeys at Different Unloading Environmental Conditions

Arduini

Redaelli

Luzi

et al. 2017

Animals

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“…As shown in Figure 2 , heart rate was higher ( P < 0.001) at loading in the summer, which may be explained by the increased frequency of slips, balks and vocalizations on the loading chute and truck ramp observed in this season compared to winter in a companion study [ 17 ]. A higher ( P < 0.001) heart rate was also recorded during the first transport phase in winter.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of Pigs Being Transported over Long Distances Using a Pot-Belly Trailer during Winter and Summer

Correa

Gonyou

Torrey

et al. 2014

Animals

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Simple SummaryThe pot-belly trailer, which can transport large loads in a single journey, is commonly used for swine transportation in Canada. However, it is generally acknowledged that pot-belly trailers and some specific compartments within this vehicle are worse than others in terms of animal losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pot-belly design on animal welfare and meat quality in pigs being transported long distance in two different seasons of the year.AbstractA total of 2,145 pigs were transported for 8 h in summer (six trips) and winter (five trips) using a pot-belly trailer accommodating pigs in four locations (upper deck or UD, bottom-nose or BN, middle deck or MD and bottom deck or BD). Heart rate of pigs during loading and transportation and lactate and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations in exsanguination blood were measured. Meat quality was evaluated in the Longissimus thoracis (LT), Semimembranosus (SM) and Adductor (AD) muscles. During summer, pigs loaded in the UD and MD had higher (P < 0.05) heart rate at loading compared to those located in the BD and BN. Blood lactate and CK concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) in winter than in summer. Lactate concentration was higher (P = 0.01) in the blood of pigs transported in the BN. Pigs transported in the BN had higher pHu values in the LT, SM and AD muscles (P = 0.02, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and lower (P = 0.002) drip loss values in the SM muscle. This study confirms that some locations within the PB trailer have a negative impact on the welfare of pigs at loading and during transport with more pronounced effects in the winter due to the additive effect of cold stress.

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“…The cameras recorded to a computer system in continuous real-time mode. Field of view observations ( 22 ), with approximately one quarter of the room captured, were performed using instantaneous scan sampling of recorded video at 20-min intervals. The number of birds within the field of view performing each behavior was recorded (video playback via Genetec Omnicast Software, Genetec Inc., Montreal, Canada).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Effects of Stocking Density on Turkey Tom Health and Welfare to 16 Weeks of Age

Beaulac

Schwean-Lardner

2018

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Four levels of turkey tom stocking density (SD) (30, 40, 50, 60 kg/m2) were evaluated in two 16 week trials (n = 2,868 Nicholas Select). Poults were allocated to one of eight independently ventilated rooms per trial (6.71 × 10.06 m) based on final predicted body weight (two replicates per SD per trial). Room temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and ammonia concentration were recorded throughout the trial; ventilation was adjusted to equalize air quality across treatments. Mobility (gait score, scale 0–5) was recorded at 12 and 16 weeks (20 birds per replicate). Footpad lesion score (scale 0–4), feather condition (scale 1–4), and cleanliness scores (scale 1–4) were recorded at 10 (Trial 2), 12, and 16 weeks of age (20 birds per replicate). Aggressive injury incidence was recorded daily for Trial 2. Stress (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) was evaluated at 4, 12, and 16 weeks of age (15 birds per replicate). Behavior was recorded and scan sampled (field of view) at 12 (Trial 1), 14, and 16 weeks. Data were analyzed using regression analysis (linear, Proc Reg; quadratic, Proc RSReg) for relationships between the variables and SD. Differences were considered significant when p ≤ 0.05. Mobility and footpad lesions were negatively affected by increasing SD (linear) at 16 weeks only. Feather condition and cleanliness decreased linearly as SD increased at week 10, 12, and 16. The incidence of aggressive damage was higher as SD increased during week 4–8 (quadratic). Heterophil/lymphocyte ratios increased linearly at 4 weeks (similar trend at 12 weeks). Behavior was impacted at 12 weeks of age with standing behavior showing a quadratic response, and walking and total disturbance showing a linear decrease as SD increased. Resting, preening, and comfort behaviors increased linearly (14 weeks), while walking and strutting decreased linearly with increasing SD. Finally, at 16 weeks of age resting, standing, walking, feeding, and total disturbance responded quadratically while preening behavior increased linearly with increasing SD. Results suggest that increasing SD negatively impacts bird health and wellbeing through decreased mobility, increased footpad lesions, poorer feather condition and cleanliness, and behavioral changes, but that very low SD (30 kg/m2) may result in increased aggressive damage.

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Transportation of market-weight pigs: II. Effect of season and location within truck on behavior with an eight-hour transport1

Cited by 29 publications

References 21 publications

Relationship between Deck Level, Body Surface Temperature and Carcass Damages in Italian Heavy Pigs after Short Journeys at Different Unloading Environmental Conditions

Relationship between Deck Level, Body Surface Temperature and Carcass Damages in Italian Heavy Pigs after Short Journeys at Different Unloading Environmental Conditions

Welfare of Pigs Being Transported over Long Distances Using a Pot-Belly Trailer during Winter and Summer

Assessing the Effects of Stocking Density on Turkey Tom Health and Welfare to 16 Weeks of Age

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