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Pre-slaughter stress mitigation in goats: Prospects and challenges
Pavan Kumar1, Abubakar Ahmed Abubakar2, Muideen Adewale Ahmed3
1Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India; Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang, Malaysia.
Goats experience significant pre-slaughter stress due to handling methods not suited for their species, impacting meat quality. This review details stress factors and management strategies to improve goat welfare and meat products.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Food Science
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Current pre-slaughter handling and slaughter methods for goats are often adapted from other livestock, neglecting species-specific behaviors.
- Goats exhibit unique behavioral traits making them more susceptible to pre-slaughter stress compared to other ruminants.
- Pre-slaughter stress negatively impacts goat welfare and the quality of meat products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and elucidate the various factors contributing to pre-slaughter stress in goats.
- To identify key indicators of stress in goats during pre-slaughter handling and the slaughter process.
- To provide management strategies for minimizing stress in goats to enhance meat quality and the goat industry.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific studies on goat behavior, stress physiology, and meat quality.
- Analysis of factors influencing stress responses during transport, lairage, stunning, and bleeding.
- Synthesis of information on stress indicators and effective management practices.
Main Results:
- Pre-slaughter stress in goats is influenced by handling, transport, lairage conditions, feeding, environment, and physiological status.
- Goats display heightened stress responses compared to other ruminants due to species-specific behavioral differences.
- Suboptimal handling and slaughter procedures significantly compromise meat quality attributes.
Conclusions:
- Addressing species-specific needs in pre-slaughter management is crucial for goat welfare.
- Implementing targeted strategies to mitigate pre-slaughter stress can significantly improve meat quality.
- Informed decision-making by producers on stress reduction benefits the overall goat industry.
