Ensuring the welfare of culled dairy cows during transport and slaughter

Publication date: 21/11/2016
Extent: 20 pages

Contributions by: Carmen Gallo and Ana Strappini, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile

Chapter synopsis: Every year, some cows are culled from dairy herds and sold through livestock markets and livestock dealers or sent directly to a slaughterhouse. Most of these cows are culled due to sickness or lameness, meaning that they are likely to experience pain and distress during marketing, transport and slaughter. This chapter reviews strategies for ensuring the welfare of these cows before and during transport and slaughter. We review the legislation and codes of practice surrounding the transport and slaughter of cows, consider important pre-transport conditions which can affect the welfare of cows during transport and at the slaughterhouse, and discuss the causes and signs of distress as well as strategies to avoid welfare problems.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0006.05