Einfluss eines positiven Handlings von Mastbullen auf die Stressreaktivität der Tiere und auf die Fleischqualität

This study investigated whether a positive handling had a stress reducing effect on beef cattle. Eight finishing bulls were randomly assigned to a handling group and a control group. The handling group received 10 times 4 minutes of positive handling, spread over 5 weeks before slaughter. After 5 weeks avoidance distance had decreased in the handling group, but not in the control group. No differences in behaviour were observed during trailer loading. Handled animals showed less stress-indicating behaviour when entering the stunning box. Blood samples were taken before handling sessions and one day before slaughter and during exsanguinations. Cortisol-, lactateand glucose concentrations were elevated in sting blood of all animals. Control animals showed higher lactate and glucose concentrations in sting blood than handled animals. In meat quality tests control animals showed higher cooking losses than handled animals. Those results imply that a calmative handling in the forefront of slaughter can decrease animals’ stress reactions at slaughter