The handling of cattle in the hours before slaughter significantly affects their stress levels, injury rates, and the humaneness of their death, making lairage and handling practices critical welfare concerns.
Pre-slaughter handling is a critical but often overlooked welfare issue. The fear, pain, and stress experienced by cattle in the hours before death are real suffering, even if brief. Poorly trained handlers using excessive force, inadequate stun rates, and facilities that confuse or frighten animals all contribute to unnecessary suffering at the end of life. Temple Grandin research has demonstrated that simple facility design changes can dramatically reduce stress and improve stun efficacy. Auditing and accountability systems that track welfare indicators at slaughter plants are essential for sustained improvement.