Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

Lairages serve several functions, such as providing post-mortal inspections and providing a reservoir of animals to ensure the slaughter line runs efficiently. High stress lairage conditions can contribute to the accumulation of transport stress in pigs, causing poor pork quality and still stressed pigs at slaughter. The objective of this study was to investigate meat quality, blood profile and behavior changes according to lairage stocking density in in high temperature. Density treatments were as follows: LD, low density (lower than 0.5 m2/100 kg); ND, normal density (0.5 m2/100 kg to 0.83 m2/100 kg); HD, high density (higher than 0.83 m2/100 kg). Air temperature treatment was as follows: HT, high temperature (higher than 24℃). Pigs stocked with LD showed lower pH, WHC (water holding capacity), and higher DL (drip loss) and CL (cooking loss) than those stocked with HD. Pigs stocked with LD showed lower cortisol level than those stocked with HD. Therefore, Pigs exposed to high stock density (lower than 0.5 m2/100 kg) in high air temperature during pre-slaughter caused acute stress and lead to PSE (pale, soft, exudative) pork incidence. Based on obtained results, stocking of too high (lower than 0.5 m2/100 kg) density is generally not good for meat quality and animal welfare at high temperatures.