Water sprinkling market pigs in a stationary trailer. 1. Effects on pig behaviour, gastrointestinal tract temperature and trailer micro-climate

摘要: Abstract Pigs are often transported to slaughter under conditions outside their thermo-neutral zones, which can lead reduced welfare and increased losses. Water sprinkling in barns is used control microclimate resulting pig body temperature reduction improved welfare; however there no clear evidence of these effects during transport. The aim this study was observe the effect pigs trailers on behaviour transport lairage, as well trailer microclimate. In each 12 weeks, 2 pot-belly with 208 (n=4992) were from same farm day 2 h slaughter. One equipped sprinklers that ran for 5 min (~125 L) before departure unloading, other served control. trailer, 4 compartments outfitted cameras, ammonia detectors temperature/humidity data loggers. gastrointestinal tract (GTT; °C) randomly chosen (n=384) test compartment recorded using orally administered Trailer deck loading order randomized. Behaviour transport, unloading lairage video or live observations. Data analysed through ANOVA ambient external (AmbT) a covariate. AmbT averaged 19.5 °C±3.8 °C (range: 13.6–25.8 °C). Sprinkled showed lower (P=0.002) increases internal smaller (P 23 °C, but at 24 °C (P=0.08). These suggest stationary vehicle when exceeds 23 °C has potential prevent short duration without detrimental levels unloading.