Abstract
Simple SummaryIn Europe, young lambs can be transported long distances for slaughter. While transport is regulated by E.U. law, there is a lack of research investigating the optimal transport conditions specifically for young lambs. For example, while the regulations set a minimum space allowance for lambs above 26 kg, no minimum is specified for young lambs meaning they can be transported in overcrowded conditions. Further, while the temperature within the vehicle must be maintained between 5–30 °C, this is well above the 21 °C said to be the upper end of the comfortable range for lambs. This study aimed to investigate how variation in space allowance and temperature can affect the welfare of young lambs. Three groups of lambs were created where either the density of individuals (0.27 vs. 0.20 m2 per head) or the temperature range (12–18 °C vs. 19–30 °C) varied. Lambs housed in the higher density and heat stress groups showed more discomfort and higher body temperatures. In addition, lambs kept in the heat stress group lost weight over the course of the study, and showed signs of heat stress when the temperature exceeded 25 °C. These results indicate that the regulations for the transport of young lambs need to be refined.Current European animal transportation law contains only a few and vague indications concerning how to move lambs of less than 26 kg. Moreover, little information is available in the literature about factors affecting these lambs’ welfare. We investigated the effect of space allowance and ambient temperature on the welfare of unweaned Lacaune lambs during a simulation of long-distance transportation (19 h). Three groups of lambs (N = 130) were housed in equally sized pens for 19 h, Control (C; n = 39; 0.27 m2 per head), Low Space Allowance (LSA; n = 52; 0.20 m2 per head), and Heat Stress (HS; n = 39; 0.27 m2 per head) groups. LSA lambs had lower space allowance than C but were tested at the same temperature, within their Thermoneutral zone (range = 12–18 °C). The HS lambs were, instead, subjected to higher temperatures (range = 19–30 °C). Scan sampling of behavior was conducted, eye temperature and body weight were also recorded. LSA and HS lambs showed more discomfort behaviors (p < 0.05) and higher eye temperatures (p < 0.001) compared to C lambs, while HS lambs additionally showed a decrease in body weight over the experimental period (p < 0.001). This study indicates that lower space allowances and higher temperatures impact negatively the welfare of lambs transported for slaughter suggesting that the regulation should be implemented taking these factors into account.
Highlights
Sheep farming is an important activity in the animal production sector of the Mediterranean countries [1] and worldwide [2]
The Animal-Based Measures (ABMs) used in the present study suggest that lambs kept in Low Space Allowance (LSA) and Heat Stress (HS) groups were in distress and showed an increased proportion of behaviors associated with a negative welfare status
The results obtained in the present study could be useful for suggesting possible recommendations, such as minimum space allowance, maximal effective temperature and the possibility to offer milk replacement, to be included in the revised European code of animal transportation as well as appropriate ABMs to assess the welfare of lambs. This pilot study suggested using reliable ABMs that the maximum space allowance of 0.20 m2 /lamb recommended in the current EC 1/2005 for lambs < 26 kg live weight is not enough to protect their welfare during transportation
Summary
Sheep farming is an important activity in the animal production sector of the Mediterranean countries [1] and worldwide [2]. The high plasticity of its breeding systems make sheep a livestock animal with a prominent socioeconomical role for marginal rural communities, and for developed countries [3]. Sheep breeding is used to obtain a wide range of products, including fiber, milk, and meat coming from adult and young animals (lambs). In Italy, the lamb market is characterized by a marked seasonality and a consumption that is traditionally rooted in Southern and Central Italy, with most of this meat being consumed during Christmas and Easter periods. Statistical Office (ISTAT), 2.3 million head of lambs were slaughtered in 2020, 15% of which came from other European countries, mainly Romania and Hungary [4], necessitating long transport of live animals.
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