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Physiological Stress Measurement during Slaughter in Calves and Lambs^{1, 2,}

University of Connecticut⁴, Storrs 06268

Abstract

Heart and respiration rate and rectal temperature were established on 36 calves and 32 lambs after a 24-hr fast (normal) and after being stressed at the time of slaughter. The calves, 12 each of 8-, 12- and 16-weeks of age and the lambs, 16 each of light (33.6 to 40.9 kg) and heavy (45.5 to 58.6 kg) weights were assigned to treatments of shackle or yoke restraint and either stunned or unstunned at the time of exsanguination. In addition to the above physiological parameters, blood bleed-out volume, carcass pH, cooking loss and WB shear force were studied as objective measurements of stress in the carcass.

Heart rate in calves was significantly (P<.05) affected by age, whereas in lambs heart rate was affected to the same extent by method of restraint with the shackled animals having the highest values. Respiration rate in calves was affected significantly (P<.01) by age, restraint and their interaction, although in lambs respiration rate was only affected (P<.05) by stunning. Furthermore, rectal temperature was only slightly affected (P<.05) by age in calves and not affected in lambs.

¹ This work was supported by funds provided by the Council for Livestock Protection, Inc. and donations from interested individuals.

² Scientific Contribution No. 605, Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Connecticut, Storrs 06268.

³ Present address: Department of Animal Science, Morrison Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.

⁴ College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Industries and Agricultural Engineering cooperating.