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Does the transport stocking density of 30-kg live weight pigs affect their heart rate and choice of posture?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

H. L. Riches
Affiliation:
Cambac JMA Research, Lower Cadleys, South Stoke, Reading RG8 0LX
H. J. Guise
Affiliation:
Cambac JMA Research, Lower Cadleys, South Stoke, Reading RG8 0LX
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Extract

There is currently no published information on the conditions under which young pigs are transported. European Directive 95/29/EC concerns the protection of animals during transport but recommends no stocking density for pigs moved by road other than those of 100 kg live weight. A survey of 97 farms showed store pigs accounted for 64% of all inter-farm journeys. The most common weights were 26 to 30 kg. The mean stocking density for transport was 162kg/m2 (range 72-214 (s.d. 25) kg/m2). The mean journey time was 165 min and the distance 228 km. This experiment was designed within the range of stocking densities and distances travelled found in current commercial practice. Pigs were transported at high, medium and low densities. Posture and heart rate during transport were recorded.

Type
Poster abstracts
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1997

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References

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