Transport of Pigs of Two Market Weights at Two Space Allowances: Effects on Behaviour, Blood Parameters, and Meat Quality under Summer and Winter Conditions.

Autor: Gonçalves Vero, Jessica, Devillers, Nicolas, Bridi, Ana Maria, Moak, Kyle A. T., Aboagye, Gizella, Agostinis Ferreira, Guilherme, Genova, Jansller Luiz, Conte, Sabine, Faucitano, Luigi
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Zdroj: Animals (2076-2615); Sep2023, Vol. 13 Issue 17, p2767, 21p
Abstrakt: Simple Summary: Increasing the slaughter weight of pigs can create challenges in handling and transport, affecting the welfare and the final meat quality. Heavier pigs have different space requirements to fit their physical and thermal needs. This research was conducted through two separate experiments with the aim of investigating the effects of two slaughter weights (120 and 140 kg) and two space allowances during summer and winter transports, i.e., 0.54 and 0.62 m2/pig and 0.44 m2/pig or 0.50 m2/pig, respectively, on the behavioural and physiological response, and carcass and meat quality of pigs. Overall, the effects of providing different space allowances during summer transports on within-truck ambient conditions, post-transport pigs' welfare, and carcass and meat quality are similar, regardless of the slaughter weight. In summer loads, increased slaughter weight is associated with more aggressive pigs under mixed group conditions in lairage and a higher risk of DFD-like pork meat resulting from fatigue at slaughter. Winter transport results may have been biased by the short journey and the truck condition not travelling at its full load capacity. Further research aiming for longer journeys (>3 h) is needed to validate the space allowances applied in this study for heavier pigs during summer and winter conditions. This study was carried out through two separate experiments aiming at evaluating the effects of two space allowances (0.54 and 0.62 m2/pig in summer and 0.44 m2/pig and 0.50 m2/pig in winter) on the behavioural and physiological response, and meat quality of pigs of two slaughter weights (120 kg and 140 kg). In summer, higher blood haematocrit levels were found at slaughter in heavier pigs transported at a smaller space allowance (p = 0.04). During lairage, pigs transported at a smaller space allowance started fighting later (p = 0.04). Fighting behaviour was greater in heavier pigs (p ≤ 0.05), whilst their drinking activity was lower (p < 0.05). This resulted in greater exsanguination blood CK levels (p < 0.01) and drier hams (p = 0.05) in heavier pigs. In winter, only lower space allowance influenced some meat quality traits (p < 0.05), but these effects were minor. The effects of space allowance during summer transports on within-truck ambient conditions, post-transport pigs' welfare, and meat quality are similar. Mixing heavier pigs may result in greater aggressiveness and more fatigue-related meat quality variation during summer. Overall, winter transport results may have been biased by the short journey and within-truck load distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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