How slaughterhouse design affects animal welfare outcomes, what Temple Grandin and others have found, and what best-practice looks like.
Slaughterhouse design has a direct and measurable impact on the welfare of billions of animals annually. Animals entering a well-designed facility move calmly through races and holding pens to the stunning point with minimal stress, while poorly designed facilities involve constant prodding, falls, vocalizations, and visible fear responses. Key design elements include: curved single-file races that prevent animals seeing the destination, non-slip flooring, appropriate lighting (animals move toward light, away from dark), elimination of visual distractions at eye level, and minimization of noise. Effective, immediate stun-to-kill is the most important welfare moment and requires equipment maintenance and operator training.