The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the electrical stunning head-heart (MA1) and CO2 stunning (MA2), and to assess the infrastructure and management of pigs in two commercial slaughterhouses in Colombia. A crosssectional study that evaluated 520 pigs (MA1=185 and MA2=335) was performed. Behavioral indicators in the stunning box and consciousness indicators before and after bleeding were evaluated. Eye movements (39%) and spontaneous eye blinking (36.7%) were common in MA1, while rhythmic breathing (24.1%) was evident in MA2. The effectiveness of stunning was low in the two slaughterhouses before (48.7%, 50.5%) and after bleeding (79.5%, 37.3%). It is recommended to establish indicators to routinely assess the effectiveness of stunning, and a programme of preventive maintenance of equipment and continuous training of staff.

The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the electrical stunning head-heart (MA1) and CO2 stunning (MA2), and to assess the infrastructure and management of pigs in two commercial slaughterhouses in Colombia. A crosssectional study that evaluated 520 pigs (MA1=185 and MA2=335) was performed. Behavioral indicators in the stunning box and consciousness indicators before and after bleeding were evaluated. Eye movements (39%) and spontaneous eye blinking (36.7%) were common in MA1, while rhythmic breathing (24.1%) was evident in MA2. The effectiveness of stunning was low in the two slaughterhouses before (48.7%, 50.5%) and after bleeding (79.5%, 37.3%). It is recommended to establish indicators to routinely assess the effectiveness of stunning, and a programme of preventive maintenance of equipment and continuous training of staff.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transport of market-weight pigs on the incidence of fatigued and injured pigs. An observational prospective study was performed to evaluate 18 437 pigs (n=350 batches) that were unloaded at three commercial slaughterhouses in Colombia. The mortality rate was 0.0016% and the incidence of fatigued and injured pigs was 0.02%. Transport time, stocking density, slaughterhouse, batch mixing, type of truck, speed and assistant on the journey were associated with nonambulatory pigs incidence.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transport of market-weight pigs on the incidence of fatigued and injured pigs. An observational prospective study was performed to evaluate 18 437 pigs (n=350 batches) that were unloaded at three commercial slaughterhouses in Colombia. The mortality rate was 0.0016% and the incidence of fatigued and injured pigs was 0.02%. Transport time, stocking density, slaughterhouse, batch mixing, type of truck, speed and assistant on the journey were associated with nonambulatory pigs incidence.