Warriss P D, Brown S N, Knowles T G, Edwards J E, Kettlewell P J, Guise H J
Division of Food Animal Science, School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
Meat Sci. 1998 Dec 1;50(4):447-56. doi: 10.1016/s0309-1740(98)00057-6.
In a trial involving 2496 pigs, the influences on blood profile and pork quality of stocking densities ranging from 201 to 321kg m(-2) were examined. The pigs came from four different farms and were killed in 16 weekly batches. They were transported for on average 3hr and held in lairage for 1hr. Higher stocking densities resulted in more physical stress to the pigs based on the activity of the enzyme CPK in the blood. Stocking density did not apparently affect psychological stress and high densities did not result in dehydration. The colour, water holding capacity and instrumentally-determined texture of the pork from the carcasses of the pigs were not affected by stocking density. The experimental design and precision of the measurements were sufficient to detect numerous differences in blood profile and pork quality between pigs from the four source farms. These differences probably related to different degrees of stress-susceptibility. The results suggest that the highest stocking density examined (321kg m(-2)) is unacceptable for the transport of pigs. The second highest density (281kg m(-2)) produced relatively little evidence of an adverse effect on the welfare of pigs. It may be scientifically acceptable for short journeys (≤3hr) but not for longer ones where pigs need more space to lie down.
在一项涉及2496头猪的试验中，研究了每平方米201至321千克的饲养密度对猪血液指标和猪肉品质的影响。这些猪来自四个不同的农场，每周分16批宰杀。它们平均运输3小时，在待宰栏中停留1小时。根据血液中肌酸磷酸激酶（CPK）的活性，较高的饲养密度会给猪带来更多的身体应激。饲养密度显然不会影响心理应激，高密度也不会导致脱水。猪胴体猪肉的颜色、持水能力和仪器测定的质地不受饲养密度的影响。实验设计和测量精度足以检测出来自四个来源农场的猪在血液指标和猪肉品质方面的众多差异。这些差异可能与不同程度的应激易感性有关。结果表明，所研究的最高饲养密度（每平方米321千克）对于猪的运输是不可接受的。第二高的密度（每平方米281千克）对猪福利产生不利影响的证据相对较少。对于短途运输（≤3小时），这在科学上可能是可以接受的，但对于猪需要更多空间躺下的长途运输则不可接受。
