Effect of lairage duration on cattle behaviors and stockperson actions in the slaughter corridor in Simmental and Swiss Brown breeds

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the effects of duration of lairage period and breed on behaviors of beef cattle and on stockperson handling actions toward cattle in the slaughter corridor. A total of 85 beef cattle (61 Simmental, 24 Brown Swiss) were allocated to 4 trial groups according to the duration of lairage period (24 h, 15 h, 1 h and no lairage). Animal behaviors and stockperson's handling actions were video recorded during the passage of animal through the slaughter corridor. Time spent in the slaughter corridor ranged between 4.64 and 16.82 min, and cattle lairaged 15 h spent more time in the slaughter corridor than the other groups (P < 0.05). Breed and lairage group had no effect on AWBEH (animal behavior) and AWACT (stockperson actions) scores and frequencies of animal behaviors, except butting. Beef cattle slaughtered without transport and lairage expressed less butting behavior compared to other lairage groups (P < 0.05). The most observed stockperson handling actions were goading, beating, tapping, and tail twisting, respectively. Cattle from L-15 group were exposed to more beating and prodding actions while cattle from L-24 h group were exposed to more pulling action. In conclusion, increasing the lairage period did not contribute to the reduction of stockperson interventions and cattle behaviors indicative of poor welfare in the slaughter corridor. Both stockperson training and facility improvements would greatly improve cattle welfare.