The hours before slaughter — in lairage (holding pens at the abattoir) — are a significant welfare event. Mixing of animals, poor handling, and environmental stress cause substantial suffering.
Lairage welfare depends on factors including stocking density, mixing of unfamiliar animals, noise, light, food and water access, and handling staff competence. Pigs are particularly vulnerable to mixing stress — fights in mixed-group lairage cause serious injuries. Cattle and sheep handled gently by skilled staff show dramatically lower stress indicators than those handled poorly. CCTV in abattoirs improves outcomes by increasing staff accountability. Journey time reduction minimises cumulative stress before lairage.