Effects of mid-summer transport duration on pre- and post-slaughter performance and pork quality in Mexico
2006; Elsevier BV; Volume: 73; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.meatsci.2005.11.012
ISSN1873-4138
AutoresDaniel Mota‐Rojas, M. Becerril, Clemente Lemus Flores, Pablo Francisco Oliva - Sánchez, Maite Gonzalez, S. A. Olmos, Rodrigo Ramírez Ramírez, M. Alonso-Spilsbury,
Tópico(s)Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
ResumoSeven hundred and fourteen pigs were monitored from transport to slaughter in July in three treatments: 8, 16 and 24 transport hours; lairage time for the three groups was of 8h. Transport duration significantly (P<0.05) affected live-weight gain during the rest period. Weight gain percentages at lairage were 0.05%, 0.78% and 1.15% for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Transport to slaughter loss percentage was 2.7%, 4.3% and 6.8% for each of the treatments. Short transport periods significantly increased carcass pH below normal values. Animals transported under acute stress (8h) showed pale carcasses (high possibilities of transforming into PSE meat). On the contrary, pigs transported for 24h had more dark red carcasses. Transport from farm to the slaughterhouse should take no more than 16h in order to improve carcass quality and animals' welfare.
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