Influence of Housing System and Number of Transported Animals on Transport-induced Mortality in Slaughter Pigs

The study monitored the effect of the housing system and the number of animals transported together on transport-induced mortality of slaughter pigs in the Czech Republic in the period from 2004 to 2008. Concerning the type of housing during the fattening, the lowest mortality rate during the subsequent transport to slaughter houses was detected among pigs fattened on solid floor (0.047%) and on deep bedding (0.084%). The highest mortality during transport was detected among pigs fattened on fully or partially slatted floor (0.139%), a significant difference (p < 0.01) was found compared to other housing types. Assessment of the influence of individual pig load size on mortality showed the lowest mortality among pigs transported in loads of up to 40 animals (0.053%). Mortality during the transport in loads of the size of 41 to 120 animals was 0.130%, and for loads of the size over 120 pigs the mortality rate was 0.156%. These mortality rates are significantly higher (p < 0.01) compared to the load sizes of up to 40 animals. Fattening pig, transportation, slatted floor, solid floor, deep bedding, welfare The number of transport-induced deaths of animals on the way to the slaughter house indicates how animal welfare is secured during transport, but may be also influenced b