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      Behavioural and physiological reactions of cattle in a commercial abattoir: relationships with organisational aspects of the abattoir and animal characteristics.

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          Abstract

          Behavioural, physiological and metabolic reactions of cattle to handling and slaughter procedures were evaluated in a commercial abattoir, from arrival until slaughter. Different genders or breeds were not subjected to the same procedures due to abattoir equipment or organisational aspects of the abattoir. Reactions to similar slaughter procedures varied according to animal characteristics and could have consequences for subsequent handling procedures. Factors that appeared to cause handling problems and vocalisation were excessive pressure during restraint, and distractions in the corridor such as noise, darkness, seeing people and activity. Post-mortem muscle metabolism depended on slaughter procedures. Following stunning or halal slaughter, some animals showed head rising movements despite the abolition of the corneal reflex, suggesting that head rising is not always indicative of consciousness. Overall, this study presents concrete data on how different types of cattle may react to slaughter procedures with a direct interest for the abattoir itself but also for scientific purposes.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Meat Sci.
          Meat science
          Elsevier BV
          1873-4138
          0309-1740
          May 2011
          : 88
          : 1
          Affiliations
          [1 ] INRA UR1213 Herbivores, F-63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
          Article
          S0309-1740(10)00447-X
          10.1016/j.meatsci.2010.12.017
          21236588
          a683941f-530d-4039-8553-fbcf925704b0
          History

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