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Road transport of pigs over a long distance: some aspects of behaviour, temperature and humidity during transport and some effects of the last two factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

E. Lambooy
E. Lambooy
Affiliation:
Research Institute for Animal Production, Schoonoord, PO Box 501, 3700 AM Zeist, The Netherlands
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Abstract

During the transportation of pigs over a long distance, the environment in individual compartments may be related to the climate outside the trailer and may affect the animals. During three international and six experimental transport trials over long distances the relationships between outside and inside temperature and humidity were determined. During the experimental journey pig behaviour was studied and the effect of the environment on meat quality was also measured subsequently.

During the three international journeys the correlation coefficients between the outside and inside temperatures of the trailer were 0·88, 0·81 and 0·54, respectively, whereas there were low positive or negative correlations for relative humidity. The live-weight losses were 60, 80 and 60 g/kg, respectively, and the mortality averaged 0·3%.

The live-weight loss averaged 40 (s.d. 6) g/kg during each 25-h experimental journey, while the mortality was 1·4%. During the course of the journey, a majority of pigs was sitting or lying. During the night and at stops in transit most pigs were lying down.

The correlation coefficients between the outside and inside temperature averaged 0·94 in the artificially, and 0·95 in the naturally, ventilated compartments, while the coefficients for the humidity were 0·66 and 0·77, respectively. Pigs ventilated artificially showed a lower rigor mortis and lower temperatures of the m. longissimus dorsi (LD) and m. semimembranosus (SM) muscles post mortem compared with those ventilated naturally.

A higher temperature in the compartment was related to a lower temperature in the LD and SM muscles at 24 h (P ≤ 0·05) and a higher pH of the SM muscle in the carcass (P ≤ 0·05). However this was also affected by the location of the compartment on the vehicle. A major temperature fluctuation was related to a lower rigor value (P ≤ 0·05).

I t may be concluded from these experiments that the environmental conditions during transport over a long distance may change markedly. High temperatures in the compartment may increase stress, while correct artificial ventilation may decrease stress.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 46 , Issue 2 , April 1988 , pp. 257 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1988

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