Effect of source and lairage on some behavioural and biochemical measurements of feed restriction and dehydration in cattle at a slaughterhouse

Scan samples of the postural, eating and drinking behaviours of 92 groups of cattle, and focal samples of the eating and drinking behaviour of 378 individuals, were made during the initial 3 h in a commercial slaughterhouse lairage. Cattle which arrived from markets spent more time drinking and lay down more during the first hour than cattle which arrived direct from farms. During the 3 h, market cattle drank more often and for longer than farm cattle. Farm cattle transported over a distance of >80 miles spent more time lying down during the 3 h and more time drinking during the first hour than farm cattle transported over\less than or =\80 miles. Cattle transported for >40 miles from markets drank sooner and for longer than those transported over distances of 80 miles from farms had higher plasma FFA concentrations than those transported over\less than or =\80 miles. It was concluded that cattle sold through markets were more thirsty and tired on arrival at the lairage than cattle sent direct from farms. Market cattle showed some evidence of being more feed restricted than farm cattle, and this effect was not reversed after overnight lairage.