Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

The current licentiate thesis is dealing with transport of cattle from farms to abattoirs. During transport the animals are confined in the vehicle and are exposed to an unfamiliar environment, including heat, cold, humidity and vibration that might be stressful to them. To determine how inside condition in the vehicle during transportation varies depending of season, loading density, transport time and dynamic performances field experiments were made in commercial cattle transport vehicles. The vehicles used had natural ventilation system with air suspension in the front axis and leaf suspension system in the rear axis. Air quality in the compartment in terms of temperature, relative humidity and gases (ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide) were mapped out in Sweden. In Sweden and in Norway was vibration in three axes on the vehicle investigated, and in Norway also velocity and slope as well as the animal’s behaviour. An animal transport surveillance system that considers environmental parameter in the vehicle as well as the physiological response parameters has been developed to store and transfer data to a control station. Average inside temperature was 3 °C to 6 °C warmer than outside temperature and high animal density made the average temperature higher irrespective of outside temperature. Stops that were made to load new animals lowered temperature during winter but made it higher during summer. Experiments found no detectable methane levels and the maximum ammonia level increased with transport time. There was a significant difference between the performances of the vehicle when loaded and unloaded. Animals preferred to stand perpendicular to the direction of vehicle’s motion during transport and they lost their balance more often on a curvy road than on a straight road. The surveillance system was found to perform well and will promote animal welfare. To improve the animals welfare during transport further detailed studies about environmental conditions is recommended.