这项研究的目的是使用局灶性动物技术评估运输距离和产程时间对屠宰场休养栏中的zebu肉牛行为指标的影响。八头雄性扎布牛,Nelore,大约4岁,来自不同城市的平均体重为500±28.5kg-1,陆运,进行了评估。这些地段分为两类:短距离(>500公里)和长距离(>500公里)。在每个行为观察周期中,每个评估批次使用五只局灶性动物,随机选择,和视觉识别。采用动物局部取样法,即时录音,每只动物每5分钟/小时。使用摄像机并将其放置在畜栏中的固定点处。屠宰后,评估瘀伤和car体pH值。在两个时刻测量呼吸频率(RR),卸载后30分钟(RR_I)和屠宰前1小时(RR_F);行为数据分为四个莱尔时期(第1,2nd,3rd,和第四)同样,并随着时间的推移作为重复的措施进行评估。莱尔时间降低了头撞(NCHB)的行为,推动(PsH),安装(MT),追逐(CA),(p=0.0001),这些行为在最初的休息时间内短距离运输的动物中更为明显,随着他们留在休息的围栏中而减少。距离对屠体的初始和最终pH值都有影响,在短距离内较大(p=0.047)。距离或起始时间对初始或最终RR没有影响(p>0.05)。此外,长途运输的动物显示出较少的尸体受伤,在验尸过程中观察到的。结论是,短距离运输的动物表现出更多的激动行为,例如NCHB,MT,PsH,CA,易导致在莱格期间出现较高的瘀伤率,并且肉的最终pH值变化更加严重。
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the transport distance and lairage time on behavioral indicators of zebu beef cattle in the resting pen of a slaughterhouse using the focal animal technique. Eight lots of male zebu cattle, Nelore, aged approximately 4 years old, weighing on average 500 ± 28.5 kg-1, from different municipalities, transported by land, were evaluated. The lots were grouped into two categories: short distance (> 500 km) and long distance (> 500 km). Five focal animals per evaluated lot were used in each cycle of behavior observation, randomly chosen, and visually identified. The animal focal sampling method was used, with instantaneous recording, every 5 min per animal/h. A video camera was used and placed at a fixed point in the corral. After slaughtering, bruises and carcass pH were evaluated. The respiratory rate (RR) was measured in two moments, 30 min after unloading (RR_I) and 1 h before slaughtering (RR_F); behavioral data were divided into four lairage periods (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th) equally and evaluated as repeated measures over time. The lairage time lowered the behaviors of headbutting (NCHBs), pushing (PsH), mounting (MT), and chasing away (CA), (p = 0.0001), and these behaviors were more evident in animals transported for short distances in the initial resting times, decreasing as they remained in the resting pen. There was effect of distance on the initial and final pH of the carcass, being greater in the short distance (p = 0.047). There was no effect of distance or lairage time on initial or final RR (p > 0.05). In addition, animals transported over long distances showed less carcass injuries, which were observed during post mortem inspection. It is concluded that animals transported over short distances present a greater number of agonistic behaviors, such as NCHBs, MT, PsH, and CA, predisposing to higher rates of bruising during lairage and more accentuated changes in the final pH of the meat.