Evaluation of physical euthanasia for neonatal piglets on-farm.

Twenty-seven neonate piglets (range from 0.35 to 1.17 kg) were evaluated for the effectiveness of blunt force trauma as a method of on-farm cull.

Ease of Handling and Physiological Parameters of Stress, Carcasses, and Pork Quality of Pigs Handled in Different Group Sizes.

The effect of different group sizes of pigs (3, 5, and 10 pigs) during handling on physiological parameters, carcasses, and pork quality traits at the farm and slaughterhouse were evaluated in 360 pigs from five farms (four repetitions or group/treatment/farms). Data was analyzed as a factorial of 3 × 5 (3 treatments × 5 farms) to check effects of treatments by analysis of variance in ANOVA. Ease of handling decreased as the group size increased.

Effect of different catching practices during manual upright handling on broiler welfare and behavior.

The aim of this study was to identify the influence of different catching practices during manual upright handling on broiler welfare and behavior. Catching was examined in a total of 4,595 Cobb broilers with average live weight of 3.2 kg and 42 days old.

Risk factors associated with pig pre-slaughtering losses.

The incidence of non-ambulatory non-injured (NANI), non-ambulatory injured (NAI) and dead pigs on-arrival at three Brazilian slaughterhouses were evaluated in 37,962 pigs to identify risk factors linked to them, besides carcass bruises and limb fractures. Total pre-slaughtering losses were 1.18%, in which NAI (0.

Electroencephalographic assessment of pneumatically powered penetrating and non-penetrating captive-bolt stunning of bulls.

The electroencephalographic (EEG) responses of 31 bulls (zebu crossbred cattle) stunned with either pneumatically powered Jarvis penetrating (PCB) or non-penetrating captive bolt (NPCB) was examined. Animals were organized into two treatment groups: PCB (n = 20); and NPCB (n = 11) stunning, both using airline pressures of 220 psi (1517 kPa). All bulls shot with PCB (n = 20/20) had patterns of EEG activity that were inconsistent with consciousness.

Evaluation of brain damage resulting from penetrating and non-penetrating stunning in Nelore Cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns.

Brain damage resulting from penetrating and non-penetrating stunning of Nelore cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns was evaluated. Heads were shot using penetrating captive bolt gun with 160 psi (P1; n = 10), 175 psi (P2; n = 10), 190 psi (P3; n = 12), and non-penetrating operating with 220 psi (NP; n = 10). Skin and bone thickness, bolt penetration angle, bolt penetration depth, haemorrhage over the cerebral hemispheres and laceration were assessed.

Effectiveness of pneumatically powered penetrating and non-penetrating captive bolts in stunning cattle.

This study assessed the effectiveness of penetrating (PCB; 190 psi; N = 363) and non-penetrating captive bolt guns (NPCB; 210-220 psi; N = 92) to stun a total of 455 cattle (Zebu and Zebu Cross). Physical bolt parameters (momentum, kinetic energy and energy density) were evaluated. Clinical indicators of brain function were recorded after stunning (GR), after being hoisted (HO) and at the bleeding rail (BL).

Efficiency of low versus high airline pressure in stunning cattle with a pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt gun.

The efficiency of stunning cattle was assessed in 443 animals (304 pure Zebu and 139 crossbred cattle), being mainly mature bulls and cows. Cattle were stunned using a Jarvis pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt gun operating with low (160-175psi, N=82) and high (190psi, N=363) airline pressure, which was within the manufactures specifications. Signs of brain function and the position of the shots on the heads were recorded after stunning.

Effect of neck cut position on time to collapse in halal slaughtered cattle without stunning.

This study examined the effect of neck cut position on the time to physical collapse in upright restrained halal slaughtered cattle (n = 644). Time to collapse was used as an indirect indicator of the early stages of onset of unconsciousness. Cattle were slaughtered with either a conventional low (LNC) (n=561) or a high neck cut (HNC) (n = 83).

Factors affecting penetrating captive bolt gun performance.

Captive bolt stunning is used for rendering livestock insensible at slaughter. The mechanical factors relating to performance of 6 penetrating captive bolt gun (CBG) models were examined. The Matador Super Sécurit 3000 and the .

An evaluation of the humaneness of puntilla in cattle.

Slaughter by puntilla followed by neck sticking was examined in 309 cattle, to assess the humaneness of this method. After the neck stab, brain and spinal function as well as presence of selected cognitive responses were measured. In addition breed, sex, live weight, body condition score, number of stabs given and level of experience of the slaughterman were recorded.

A note on the slaughter of llamas in Bolivia by the puntilla method.

Slaughter by puntilla followed by neck sticking was examined in 20 recumbent llamas. Repeat stabbing was needed to penetrate the foramen ovale in 45% of the llamas, and two animals attempted to stand after the first stab. Puntilla was found to be ineffective, as all animals showed rhythmic breathing movements at the flank following puntilla and before sticking, and 95% had a positive palpebral reflex at the same time.

Depth of concussion in cattle shot by penetrating captive bolt.

The prevalence of shallow depth of concussion following captive bolt shooting was assessed in 1608 cattle at an abattoir. Depth of concussion was determined in each animal from physical collapse, presence or absence of corneal reflex, normal rhythmic breathing, eyeball rotation, and whether the animal was re-shot. The presence of nystagmus and the absence of tongue protrusion were also monitored as potential indicators of a shallow depth of concussion, and simultaneous noise measurements assessed whether loudness of gun discharge was linked to concussion depth.

Effect of feeding pasture-finished cattle different conserved forages on Escherichia coli in the rumen and faeces.

The effects of eight different pre-slaughter diets on gut microflora, pH and dry matter were evaluated in 112 slaughter-weight, pasture-finished heifers. Hide dirtiness at slaughter, plasma cortisol, meat pH and stickiness, and liveweight loss, were also examined. The pre-slaughter diets were: 48 h of 100% meadow hay, lucerne hay, red clover hay, perennial ryegrass hay, haylage, haylage supplemented with maize silage, pasture, or 24 h fasting before transport.