Mortality in rabbits transported for slaughter

Voslářová, Eva; Večerek, Vladimír; Bedáňová, Iveta; Večerková, Lenka

doi:10.1111/asj.13002

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…However, evidence suggests that pre-slaughter handling of animals is the main factor influencing the occurrence and frequency of traumatic injuries [ 3 , 4 ]. Assuming that the dominant origin of injuries is during transport operations, this finding is consistent with the results of studies also highlighting high mortality during transport to slaughterhouses, both in laying hens [ 45 , 46 ] and rabbits [ 24 ]. In end-of-lay hens, this may be attributed to their lower market value [ 47 ] and the corresponding lower care and rougher handling [ 46 ] not respecting the fragility of the bones of end-of-lay hens [ 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Rabbits are also transported to slaughterhouses in containers. The high number of traumatic findings in rabbits reported by Valkova et al [ 23 ] corresponds to the high level of mortality during transport to slaughterhouses [ 24 ]. Even for rabbits, the handling of animals during catching, loading and unloading from transport containers can be considered as risk factors in terms of injury or even death.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Traumatic Injuries Detected during Post-Mortem Slaughterhouse Inspection as Welfare Indicators in Poultry and Rabbits

Válková

Voslářová

Večerek

et al. 2021

Animals

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The findings of traumatic injuries during post-mortem inspection in slaughterhouses reflect the level of pre-slaughter handling of animals at the farm and during transport to the slaughterhouse. The prevalence of traumatic injuries was monitored in poultry (1,089,406,687 broiler chickens, 20,030,744 laying hens, 1,181,598 turkeys, 37,690 geese, 28,579,765 ducks) and rabbits (1,876,929) originating from farms in the Czech Republic and slaughtered in slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic between 2010 and 2019. The greatest incidence of traumatic injuries was found in laying hens (2.80%) and rabbits (1.52%); while the overall incidence of trauma was less than 0.5% in other species and categories. The results show that the current rearing conditions and/or pre-slaughter handling of poultry and rabbits particularly affect the limbs; traumatic findings were significantly (p < 0.01) more frequent on the limbs than on the trunk in all species studied. In poultry, traumatic findings on the trunk were orders of magnitude lower to negligible, so the focus should be on preventing injuries to the limbs. In rabbits, the difference was less pronounced, and many injuries were found on both limbs (0.83%) and trunk (0.69%). Our results emphasize the need to reconsider both housing and pre-slaughter handling methods to determine minimum standards for the protection of rabbits, which are still lacking in European legislation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traumatic Injuries Detected during Post-Mortem Slaughterhouse Inspection as Welfare Indicators in Poultry and Rabbits

Válková

Voslářová

Večerek

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…A correct management both in farm and during transportation to slaughter is fundamental to prevent excessive losses. During winter season, finisher carcasses were condemned more frequently than in summer, in contrast to the results of Voslarova et al (2018), which evidenced a higher -but not statistically significant-mortality in both summer and winter transported animals. In contrast, the prevalence of lesions and diseases in females was not associated with season (P = 0.536), which may be explained, for example, by the higher resistance to weather conditions compared to younger animals, as well as to a fully developed immune system.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 76%

“…Animal transportation to the slaughterhouse was described as a critical stage for pre-slaughter lesions and mortality, especially for rabbits (Petracci et al, 2010). Voslarova et al (2018) investigated the transport-related mortality of rabbits in different seasons, but no significant differences were found. Petracci et al (2010) highlighted how a long transportation time could lead to an increase in rabbit lesions, even if bruising rates were lower than lesions after transport of other animals, such as turkeys and chickens.…”

Section: W O R L D R a B B I T S C I E N C Ementioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of post mortem lesions recorded in the largest Italian rabbit slaughterhouse over a fifteen-years period (2003-2017)

et al. 2020

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<p>The present research was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of gross lesions in condemned rabbit carcasses by analysing data recorded in a large Italian slaughterhouse. From 2003 until 2017, a total of 103 080 019 rabbits were processed: 101 722 673 were finishing rabbits and 1 357 346 were breeding females. A total of 742 397 carcasses were condemned due to lesions. Condemned carcasses from young rabbits (n=545 070) evidenced: 33.6% enteritis, 31.5% subcutaneous abscesses, 29.7% cachexia and 3.84% lung disease. Among breeding rabbits (n=197 327) there were 38.9% cachexia, followed by 35.8% uterine pathologies (breeding females), 14.9% subcutaneous abscesses, 5.42% ulcerative pododermatitis, 2.61% chronic nephritis and 2.47% lung disease. Regarding season-related lesions, for growing rabbits the total prevalence of lesions and diseases was the highest in winter (enteritis increased in winter, but subcutaneous abscesses were higher in summer). Rabbit does showed the highest prevalence of subcutaneous abscesses in summer and ulcerative pododermatitis in winter. From 2003 to 2017, the overall number of condemned carcasses doubled in both categories, with a sharp increase from 2012 till 2017. The prevalence of lesions among slaughtered rabbits differed between growing and breeding categories, which was attributable to different farming conditions, physiological status and slaughter age. Based on the above-mentioned findings, better management strategies at different stages of the rabbit production chain seem to be a necessary way to manage resulting waste and address possible economic concerns.</p>

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“…Voslarova et al. (2018) did not find a negative impact on mortality in rabbits during transit transported within a wide range of environmental temperatures from −5°C to 19.9°C. However, journeys carried out at temperatures below −5°C were associated with increased mortality (0.17%).…”

Section: Assessment Of Scenario 3: Road Transport Of Rabbitsmentioning

confidence: 91%

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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Mortality in rabbits transported for slaughter

Cited by 9 publications

References 21 publications

Traumatic Injuries Detected during Post-Mortem Slaughterhouse Inspection as Welfare Indicators in Poultry and Rabbits

Traumatic Injuries Detected during Post-Mortem Slaughterhouse Inspection as Welfare Indicators in Poultry and Rabbits

Prevalence of post mortem lesions recorded in the largest Italian rabbit slaughterhouse over a fifteen-years period (2003-2017)

Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

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