Evaluation of pre-slaughter losses of Italian heavy pigs
Eleonora Nannoni A C , Gaetano Liuzzo B , Andrea Serraino A , Federica Giacometti A , Giovanna Martelli A , Luca Sardi A , Marika Vitali A , Lucia Romagnoli B , Eros Moscardini B and Fabio Ostanello A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
B A.U.S.L. of Modena Carpi district, Piazzale Donatori di sangue 3, 41012, Carpi (MO), Italy.
C Corresponding author. Email: eleonora.nannoni2@unibo.it
Animal Production Science 57(10) 2072-2081 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15893
Submitted: 22 December 2015 Accepted: 2 August 2016 Published: 26 September 2016
Abstract
A retrospective observational study evaluated the risk factors for pre-slaughter losses (i.e. animal deaths occurring during transport and lairage) and their economic impact in Italian heavy pigs (~160 kg bodyweight). Of the 3 344 730 pigs transported, 1780 (0.053%) died before slaughter, with most losses occurring during transport (56.6%). The estimated economic impact was of 424 000 €. The percentage of batches with at least one animal lost pre-slaughter increased during summer (P < 0.001). The proportion of pre-slaughter losses was higher when journey lasted more than 90 min (P < 0.001) and was positively correlated with transport duration (P < 0.01). Losses were higher (P < 0.01) in batches transported at low stocking densities (i.e. when heavier pigs were transported). Batches with lower slaughtering order (i.e. longer lairage time) had higher proportions of losses (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of a given batch to have at least one animal lost pre-slaughter were 1.32 times higher for batches slaughtered in summer, 1.54 times higher if journey durations exceeded 90 min, 1.25 times higher for batches with low slaughtering order, and not significantly influenced by stocking density during transport.
Additional keywords: economic impact, pig welfare, transport.
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