Slaughterhouse design profoundly affects the welfare of animals during their final hours, with evidence-based approaches significantly reducing fear and pain.
The welfare of animals in slaughter facilities is shaped by both physical design and management culture. Well-designed facilities with curved races, non-slip flooring, and minimal distractions dramatically reduce the fear and stress of the final handling period. Effective stunning requires trained operators, well-maintained equipment, and consistent auditing. The gap between best practice and common practice in slaughter welfare remains significant and is primarily a management and oversight problem rather than a technical one.