Influence of stunning methods on the welfare of glycerine-fed lambs

Abstract

The effects of electrical and non-penetrating bolt pistol stunning methods were evaluated. Forty uncastrated, mixed-breed (1/2 Santa Inês x 1/2 Dorper) males were used. The welfare of lambs was not affected (P> 0.05) by the inclusion of glycerin in the diet. The color of the meat (24 hours after slaughter) of lambs stunned with a non-penetrating bolt pistol was lighter (P> 0.05). The shear force, water-holding capacity, lipid oxidation and sarcomere length were not influenced by diet and stunning methods and exhibited average values of 1.59 kgf/cm2, 59.65%, 0.62 mg/kg and 2.26 μ, respectively. The animals stunned by electrical stimulation had a higher concentration of total leukocytes (7.22 x 103/ μL) and creatine kinase (81.89 U/L). Based on welfare and meat quality, the non-penetrating bolt pistol can be considered an alternative stunning method for lambs.