Ease of handling, physiological response, skin lesions and meat quality in pigs transported in two truck types

Transportation is considered as the most stressful event for pigs prior to slaughter which may compromise the welfare of animals and ultimately pork quality. Within the effects of the transport factor, vehicle design plays a major role contributing to the incidence of animal losses during transport, with higher proportion of losses being associated to the use of trucks equipped with ramps when compared to other vehicle types, equipped with hydraulic decks. Due to economic reasons, the use of double and triple-decked trucks for the transport of pigs is rapidly increasing in Brazil. However, not all truck models are equipped with hydraulic decks, and those that are not use steep ramps (>20°) to load on and off pigs located on the upper deck. This is the first study ever that evaluated the effects of these truck models on the welfare and meat quality of pigs in Brazil. This study gives evidence that the use of the hydraulic deck in the truck to load on and off pigs improves the efficiency of transport, in terms of handling time and easiness. However, it appears that when pigs are well handled in these phases the impact of the vehicle design on skin lesions and meat quality variation is minimal. The results of this study can be applicable within the Canadian pork industry context as double and triple-decked trucks are also used for the transport of pigs to slaughter in Canada.