ZEVU.htm

NR ZEVU

AU Tarrant,P.V.; Kenny,F.J.; Harrington,D.; Murphy,M.

TI Long distance transportation of steers to slaughter - effect of stocking density on physiology, behavior and carcass quality

QU Livestock Production Science 1992 Feb; 30(3): 223-238

PT Article

AB Friesian steers were transported by road for 24 h at low, medium and high stocking density to assess the welfare and economic effects of long journeys. Plasma cortisol and glucose were elevated after transport (P < 0.01) particularly at high stocking density. The white blood cell count and neutrophil numbers increased (P < 0.001) and the numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils decreased (P < 0.001). Packed cell volume and red blood cell count increased (P < 0.001), as did the concentration of total protein, haemoglobin and fibrinogen (P < 0.001 ). The most common standing orientation was perpendicular to the direction of travel, there was a strong bias against diagonal orientations. Some animals lay down during transit at all stocking densities, but only at the high stocking density were animals trapped down and unable to rise. Carcass bruising, and plasma activity of creatine kinase increased with stocking density. The number of muscles with final pH values above 6.0 increased, and this effect was not linked to stocking density. The results show that stocking densities above about 550 kg/m2 are unacceptable for animals in this weight range on long journeys. At medium and low density, the physiological data suggest that any increase in journey time or deterioration in transport conditions would be detrimental to welfare.

AD P.V.Tarrant, TEAGASC,NATL FOOD CTR,DUBLIN 15,IRELAND.

SP englisch

PO Niederlande

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