Effects of Handling Procedures and Transport Vehicle Design on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Pigs

Posted in: Ontario Pork by admin on September 24, 2012

The objectives of this project were to study stressors experienced by market pigs during handling and transport, to identify components of these stressors that can be modified, and to assess whether modifying these components can reduce stress and/or improve the ability of pigs to recover. Our overall goal was to reduce the stress associated with marketing and thereby improve animal welfare, reduce death losses, and improve meat quality.  Stressors assessed included handling during loading and unloading, the environmental conditions on the transport vehicle in summer and winter and duration of travel. The stress response of pigs was assessed using behavioural and physiological parameters, as well as carcass and meat quality characteristics.

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