Effect of lairage in slaughterhouse on suckling lamb welfare

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of lairage before slaughter on the welfare and carcass and meat quality in suckling lambs has been studied. Four lairage times have been evaluated, L0 no-lairage, L3 lairage of 3 h, L6 lairage of 6 h and L12 lairage of 12 h. Blood parameters, cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein and amyloid A protein, weight loss during lairage, carcass quality and meat pH in two longissimus and semitendinosus muscles have been studied. Lambs with a lairage of 12 hours showed higher level of cortisol, total protein and amyloid A protein, besides a greater live weight loss, indicating that had a higher stress response and further dehydration. The meat pH was higher in both muscles in the group L3. The lairage increased animal welfare concerns but not the quality of the meat.