OBSERVATIONS ON ABATTOIR-HANDLERS TO THE USE OF PROD AND STICK ON SLAUGHTER PIGS IN THE ENTRANCE AREA OF THE RESTRAINER

The impact of four animal handler with varying degrees of experience w as evaluated by examining the behaviour of a total of 656 slaughter pi gs in the entrance area of the restrainer. The evaluation of the handl er was directly based on the behaviour of pigs that was ultimately inf luenced by the use of electric prods and sticks. The usage of prods an d sticks varied to a great extent between handlers (i.e., one handler used the electric prod in 96,4 % of all cases). From protection of ani mals point of View is the assessment of usage in this area different. The majority of animals (greater than or equal to 50 %) only enter the restrainer after being pushed by a prod or stick. The desired volunta ry entrance of pigs into the restrainer was only realized by a few ani mals. increasing the number of pigs that voluntarily enter the restrai ner is the ultimate goal that can only be achieved after clearly ident ifying the reasons for disturbance and through improvement of construc tion details that consider the behaviour of the animal.