The lairage period before slaughter in abattoirs significantly affects the welfare experience of cattle in their final hours, with rest, water, appropriate group composition and skilled handling all important.
The final hours of a cattle's life in lairage are shaped by the quality of the facility and stockmanship. Cattle that are mixed with unfamiliar animals, denied water, exposed to excessive noise or roughly handled experience significant welfare harm in their last hours. Good lairage welfare requires appropriate group management, water provision, quiet handling and skilled staff who understand cattle behaviour.