Changes in cortisol and glucose concentrations in rabbits transported to the slaughterhouse

Accorsi, Pier Attilio; Biscotto, A.; Viggiani, Roberta; Prodan, Călin I.; Bucci, Diego; Beghelli, Valentina; Mattioli, Michela; Petrulli, Carmen Adele; Postiglione, G; Milandri, Carlo

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2017.07.013

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…Accorsi et al. (2017) reported that different space allowance in transport containers (307 cm 2 /rabbit, 373 cm 2 /rabbit and 475 cm 2 /rabbit corresponding to 102–123 cm 2 /kg, 124–149 cm 2 /kg and 158–190 cm 2 /kg, respectively) was associated with different levels of serum cortisol and glucose (measured at the time of slaughtering in all groups). A higher space allowance reduced cortisol and glucose levels that tended to increase with space reduction.…”

Section: Assessment Of Scenario 3: Road Transport Of Rabbitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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This opinion, produced upon a request from the European Commission, focuses on transport of domestic birds and rabbits in containers (e.g. any crate, box, receptacle or other rigid structure used for the transport of animals, but not the means of transport itself). It describes and assesses current transport practices in the EU, based on data from literature, Member States and expert opinion. The species and categories of domestic birds assessed were mainly chickens for meat (broilers), end-of-lay hens and dayold chicks. They included to a lesser extent pullets, turkeys, ducks, geese, quails and game birds, due to limited scientific evidence. The opinion focuses on road transport to slaughterhouses or to production sites. For day-old chicks, air transport is also addressed. The relevant stages of transport considered are preparation, loading, journey, arrival and uncrating. Welfare consequences associated with current transport practices were identified for each stage. For loading and uncrating, the highly relevant welfare consequences identified are handling stress, injuries, restriction of movement and sensory overstimulation. For the journey and arrival, injuries, restriction of movement, sensory overstimulation, motion stress, heat stress, cold stress, prolonged hunger and prolonged thirst are identified as highly relevant. For each welfare consequence, animal-based measures (ABMs) and hazards were identified and assessed, and both preventive and corrective or mitigative measures proposed. Recommendations on quantitative criteria to prevent or mitigate welfare consequences are provided for microclimatic conditions, space allowances and journey times for all categories of animals, where scientific evidence and expert opinion support such outcomes.

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Section: Assessment Of Scenario 3: Road Transport Of Rabbitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Impact of pre-slaughter transport conditions on stress response, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing rabbits

et al. 2018

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Stunning methods and slaughter of rabbits for human consumption

Nielsen

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2020

EFS2

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This opinion on the killing of rabbits for human consumption ('slaughtering') responds to two mandates: one from the European Parliament (EP) and the other from the European Commission. The opinion describes stunning methods for rabbits known to the experts in the EFSA working group, which can be used in commercial practice, and which are sufficiently described in scientific and technical literature for the development of an opinion. These are electrical stunning, mechanical stunning with a penetrative and non-penetrative captive bolt and gas stunning. The latter method is not allowed in the EU anymore following Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, but may still be practiced elsewhere in the world. Related hazards and welfare consequences are also evaluated. To monitor stunning effectiveness as requested by the EP mandate, the opinion suggests the use of indicators for the state of consciousness, selected on the basis of their sensitivity, specificity and ease of use. Similarly, it suggests indicators to confirm animals are dead before dressing. For the European Commission mandate, slaughter processes were assessed from the arrival of rabbits in containers until their death, and grouped in three main phases: pre-stunning (including arrival, unloading of containers from the truck, lairage, handling/ removing of rabbits from containers), stunning (including restraint) and bleeding (including bleeding following stunning and bleeding during slaughter without stunning). Ten welfare consequences resulting from the hazards that rabbits can be exposed to during slaughter are identified: consciousness, animal not dead, thermal stress (heat or cold stress), prolonged thirst, prolonged hunger, restriction of movements, pain, fear, distress and respiratory distress. Welfare consequences and relevant animalbased measures (indicators) are described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, indicators, origins, preventive and corrective measures are developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences are also proposed.

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Changes in cortisol and glucose concentrations in rabbits transported to the slaughterhouse

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

Impact of pre-slaughter transport conditions on stress response, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing rabbits

Stunning methods and slaughter of rabbits for human consumption

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