Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada.
Poult Sci. 2014 Feb;93(2):273-84. doi: 10.3382/ps.2013-03260.
Many emu farms are located in areas lacking processing facilities that can handle these birds. Thus, long-distance shipping of birds to an abattoir is necessary. Two experiments were conducted, wherein emus were transported in a modified horse trailer for 6 h to an abattoir. Changes in the indices of stress and metabolic homeostasis (hematology, serum biochemistry, enzymes, and body temperature and weight) were used to evaluate the physiological response to transport. The activities of enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase increased significantly (P < 0.001) from pretransport to slaughter, indicating muscle cell wall damages. The body temperature of emus was significantly (P < 0.001) increased from 37.0 to 39.6°C after transport in experiment 1 and from 37.2 to 38.9°C in experiment 2. Transport resulted in significant weight loss in both experiments (P < 0.001; 2.1 ± 0.2 kg vs. 0.6 ± 0.2 kg) and posttransport resting at lairage led to slight regaining (P < 0.01) of BW. Oral administration of supplements before and after transport was effective in protecting against muscle damage and faster recovery of BW losses during lairage. The clinical findings were suggestive of the incidence of exertional rhabdomyolysis and thus underlined the need for careful handling and improved transport conditions of emus.
许多鸸鹋养殖场位于缺乏处理设施的地区，无法处理这些鸟类。因此，需要将鸟类长途运往屠宰场。进行了两项实验，其中鸸鹋在经过改装的马拖车内运输 6 小时到屠宰场。应激和代谢稳态（血液学、血清生化、酶、体温和体重）的指标变化用于评估运输对生理的反应。丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶和肌酸激酶的活性从运输前到屠宰时显著增加（P < 0.001），表明肌肉细胞壁受损。鸸鹋的体温在实验 1 中从运输前的 37.0°C 显著增加到 39.6°C（P < 0.001），在实验 2 中从 37.2°C 增加到 38.9°C。在两项实验中，运输都导致了显著的体重减轻（P < 0.001；2.1 ± 0.2 kg 比 0.6 ± 0.2 kg），并且运输后在畜栏中休息导致体重略有恢复（P < 0.01）。在运输前后口服补充剂对于防止肌肉损伤和在畜栏中更快地恢复 BW 损失是有效的。临床发现提示发生了运动性横纹肌溶解症，因此强调需要小心处理和改善鸸鹋的运输条件。
