Survey and evaluation of on-farm dispatch methods for pigs and stockpeople attitudes
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Data
2020-02-12
Autores
Dalla Costa, Filipe Antonio [UNESP]
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Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Resumo
O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e avaliar os métodos utilizados para o descarte de suínos à campo (até 16 kg). Inicialmente, foram entrevistados 371 manejadores para identificar os métodos utilizados nas granjas suinícolas, o perfil dos manejadores que os operam em termos de treinamento e manejo, e suas opiniões e atitudes quanto à eficácia e segurança dos procedimentos aplicados. Depois disso, a eficiência dos métodos (trauma manual por força contundente [usando um martelo ou contra o chão], eletrocussão, pistola cativa penetrante e não penetrante [Umana - movida a cartucho de festim; SAT - movida a cartucho de festim e Dick – acionada por mola] foram avaliados por meio de reflexos da função cerebral, eletroencefalograma (EEG) e patologia macroscópica. Independentemente da categoria do suíno, os métodos mais usados nas granjas brasileiras pesquisadas foram: concussão manual (90%) e eletrocussão por um sistema caseiro (5%). Ambos os métodos foram relatados como eficientes e seguros para o descarte de suínos na granja pela maioria dos manejadores (83%), entretanto, 33% de todos os manejadores relataram que prefeririam utilizar métodos alternativos, ou seja, anestésicos (23%) ou eletrocussão (32%). Apenas 7% dos manejadores receberam treinamento, que pode resultar em uma aplicação mais eficiente do método (P <0,05). A maioria dos manejadores (96%) declarou se sentir desconfortável com o procedimento de descarte animal que utiliza, e este desconforto durou meio dia ou mais em 22% deles. Depois de ter a cabeça batida contra a parede, todos os leitões (até 1,2 kg; N = 25 leitões) convulsionaram, permaneceram deitados e não mostraram reflexos da função cerebral ou atividade EEG normal (N = 15 leitões) após a aplicação do método. Danos cerebrais foram encontrados em todos os leitões, principalmente nos lobos frontais. Os lobos occipitais apresentaram a maior frequência de dano mais alto e isso foi confirmado com achados de radiografia. A hemorragia foi mais frequente nos lobos frontal, parietal, occipital e mesencéfalo. Assim, quando executado corretamente, o traumatismo manual avaliado pode ser usado como um método eficaz para matar leitões recém-nascidos na granja, resultando em morte com sofrimento reduzido. Com base nos reflexos da função cerebral, patologia e atividade EEG, leitões de até 16 kg na granja descartados por meio de uma concussão manual com um martelo, eletrocussão e Dick CBG apresentam risco potencial de sofrimento para o animal pela baixa eficácia dos métodos. Esses métodos devem ser evitados e proibidos pela legislação. A pistola SAT pode ser usada para leitões ≤ 2 kg. A pistola Umana foi o método mais eficaz para descarte de suínos até 16 kg na granja e é uma alternativa para evitar o sofrimento dos animais na suinocultura.
The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the methods used for on-farm dispatching of pigles (until 16 kg). Initially, a total of 371 stockpeople were interviewed to identify the methods used at pig farms, the characteristics of stockpeople operating them, in terms of training and management, and their opinions and attitudes about the efficiency and safety of the applied procedures. After that, the efficiency of the methods (manual blunt force trauma [using a hammer or against the floor], electrocution, penetrating and non-penetrating captive bolt gun [Umana – cash powered; Small Animal Tool – SAT – cash powered and Dick – spring powered] were evaluated using brain function reflexes, electroencephalogram (EEG) and gross pathology. Independently of the pig type, the most used dispatching methods at the surveyed Brazilian farms were concussion (90%) and electrocution (5%). Both methods were reported as being efficient and safe for on-farm pig dispatching by most stockpeople (83%). However, 33% of all stockpeople reported they would prefer to use alternative methods, i.e., anesthetics (23%) or electrocution (32%). Only 7% of the stockpeople received training resulting in a more efficient application of the method (P < 0.05). Most stockpeople (96%) declared to feel uncomfortable with the dispatching procedure they use. This discomfort lasted for half a day or longer in 22% of them. After having the head’s struck against the wall, all piglets (up to 1.2 kg; N = 25 piglets) convulsed, remained recumbent and did not show reflexes of brain function or normal EEG activity (N = 15 piglets) after the dispatching. Brain damage was found in all piglets, mainly in the frontal lobe(s). The occipital lobe(s) presented the greatest frequency of highest damage and this was confirmed with radiography findings. Haemorrhage was most frequent in the frontal, parietal, occipital lobes and midbrain. Thus, when performed correctly, blunt force trauma can be used as an effective method for on-farm killing of nursing piglets resulting in death with reduced suffering. Based on brain function reflexes, pathology and EEG activity, piglets until 16 kg onfarm dispatched using a hammer, electrocution and Dick CBG present a potential risk of animal suffering by the low effectiveness of the methods. These methods should be avoided and banned by legislation. The SAT can be used for piglets ≤ 2 kg. The Umana CBG is the most effective method for on-farm dispatching of pigs until 16 kg and is an alternative to avoid animal suffering in pig farming.
The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the methods used for on-farm dispatching of pigles (until 16 kg). Initially, a total of 371 stockpeople were interviewed to identify the methods used at pig farms, the characteristics of stockpeople operating them, in terms of training and management, and their opinions and attitudes about the efficiency and safety of the applied procedures. After that, the efficiency of the methods (manual blunt force trauma [using a hammer or against the floor], electrocution, penetrating and non-penetrating captive bolt gun [Umana – cash powered; Small Animal Tool – SAT – cash powered and Dick – spring powered] were evaluated using brain function reflexes, electroencephalogram (EEG) and gross pathology. Independently of the pig type, the most used dispatching methods at the surveyed Brazilian farms were concussion (90%) and electrocution (5%). Both methods were reported as being efficient and safe for on-farm pig dispatching by most stockpeople (83%). However, 33% of all stockpeople reported they would prefer to use alternative methods, i.e., anesthetics (23%) or electrocution (32%). Only 7% of the stockpeople received training resulting in a more efficient application of the method (P < 0.05). Most stockpeople (96%) declared to feel uncomfortable with the dispatching procedure they use. This discomfort lasted for half a day or longer in 22% of them. After having the head’s struck against the wall, all piglets (up to 1.2 kg; N = 25 piglets) convulsed, remained recumbent and did not show reflexes of brain function or normal EEG activity (N = 15 piglets) after the dispatching. Brain damage was found in all piglets, mainly in the frontal lobe(s). The occipital lobe(s) presented the greatest frequency of highest damage and this was confirmed with radiography findings. Haemorrhage was most frequent in the frontal, parietal, occipital lobes and midbrain. Thus, when performed correctly, blunt force trauma can be used as an effective method for on-farm killing of nursing piglets resulting in death with reduced suffering. Based on brain function reflexes, pathology and EEG activity, piglets until 16 kg onfarm dispatched using a hammer, electrocution and Dick CBG present a potential risk of animal suffering by the low effectiveness of the methods. These methods should be avoided and banned by legislation. The SAT can be used for piglets ≤ 2 kg. The Umana CBG is the most effective method for on-farm dispatching of pigs until 16 kg and is an alternative to avoid animal suffering in pig farming.
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Palavras-chave
Animal welfare, Pig, Dispatching, On-farm killing, EEG