Abstract

ROMERO, Marlyn H; GUTIERREZ, Carolina  and  SANCHEZ, Jorge A. Evaluation of bruises as an animal welfare indicator during pre-slaughter of beef cattle. Rev Colom Cienc Pecua [online]. 2012, vol.25, n.2, pp.267-275. ISSN 0120-0690.

Objective: To evaluate and characterize the bruises occurring during the pre-slaughter of beef cattle in a commercial slaughterhouse, and to identify the risk factors involved. Methods: a cross sectional- study was conducted on 2,288 carcasses evaluating transport conditions, animal characteristics, severity, extent, and location of the bruises to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors. Results: The bruising prevalence was 84.3%. Sex, weight, stocking density and lairage time were associated with the presence of bruising (p<0.005). Transport time was not considered a risk factor for the presence and severity of bruises (p>0.005). Conclusions: results suggest that animal welfare conditions of the evaluated cattle are deficient. Several factors should be improved, such as: training the staff, reducing the lairage time, preventive maintenance for equipment, specialized transportation, sanitary design strategies, and divulgation of sanitary laws, among others.

Keywords : animal welfare; risk factors; slaughterhouse.

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