Assessment of Losses in Sheep and Goat During Pre-Slaughter Transportation

Abstract
A study was conducted to estimate the different types of losses in sheep and goat during transport from shandy to slaughter house both in summer and winter seasons. Pre-slaughter losses were documented and different practices adapted in two different types of short (about 20 kms) and long (about 150 kms) distance transportation in the present study. A weight loss of 0.95 and 0.98 per cent was recorded in winter and summer seasons during short distance. A weight loss of 3.02 and 3.18 per cent was recorded in winter and summer seasons respectively during long distance transport of 150km which were lesser than earlier findings. There is no significant difference in total injuries, per cent actual weight loss in live animals, dead animals on arrival, weight loss due to excreta, total weight loss during winter and summer seasons in both types of transport. Some other observations also made like time of transit, average feed withdrawal time and average age of animals. Further, study revealed no significant difference in temperature and relative humidity observed in shandies and in transport vehicle between winter and summer seasons which might be due to transportation of animals in early morning hours in both the seasons. The lower losses in weight and mortality rate observed in this study may be correlated to the fact that the temperature and relative humidity of the transport environment were within the comfort zone of the animals.
Description
TNV_JAR_2018_8(3)473-480
Keywords
Veterinary Science
Citation