Lairage (holding) facilities at slaughterhouses are a critical welfare checkpoint; good lairage management reduces stress and improves both animal welfare and meat quality.
Lairage represents the final hours of an animal's life and a critical welfare opportunity. Animals arrive at slaughter already stressed from transport and the novel environment. Poor lairage management including mixing unfamiliar animals, inadequate water, excessive noise, and rough handling compounds these stressors. Conversely, well-managed lairage with experienced, calm handlers, adequate space, familiar group maintenance where possible, and prompt water access can substantially reduce pre-slaughter suffering. The correlation between good lairage management and improved meat quality provides an economic lever alongside the ethical case for welfare improvement.