Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology

RAIL TRANSPORT

• This is the most important means of transporting animals and is generally carried out under specific regulations. Specially constructed wagons meant for transport of animals are used. It is of prescribed size and is equipped with appropriate ventilation along with contrivances for feeding and watering. 
•  Rail transport is advocated for distances above 500 km. Animals should be provided ad lib water and feed at least for an hour before the journey commences.
• Arrangement can be made to unload the animals after about every 1000 km and offer feed and water before reloading. This mode ensures comparatively less losses due to shrinkage and death. In fact, shrinkage losses may come down to as low as 5 percent.
• The average space provided per cattle in Railway wagon or vehicle shall not be less than two square meters.
• When cattle is to be transported by rail an ordinary goods wagon shall carry not more than ten adult cattle or fifteen calves on broad gauge, not more than six adult cattle or ten calves on meter gauge, or not more than four adult cattle or six calves on narrow gauge.
• Every wagon carrying cattle shall have at least one attendant. Cattle wagons should be attached in the middle of the train.
• Cattle shall be loaded parallel to the rails, facing each other. Rations for padding, such as straw, shall be placed on the floor to avoid injury if a cattle lies down and this shall not be less than 6 cm thick.
• Rations for the journey shall be carried in the middle of the wagon. To provide adequate ventilation, upper door of one side of the wagon shall be kept open properly fixed.
•  Cooking shall not be allowed in the wagons nor hurricane lamps without chimneys.
• Two breast bars shall be provided on each side of the wagon, one at height of 60 to 80 cm and the other at 100 to 110 cm.
• As far as possible, cattle may be moved during the nights only. During day time, if possible, they should be unloaded, fed, given water and rested and if in milk, milking shall be carried out. When cattle are to be transported by goods vehicle the following precautions are to be taken namely:
  • Specially fitted goods vehicles with a special type of fail board and padding around the sides should be used.
  • Ordinary goods vehicles shall be provided with anti-slipping material, such as coir matting or wooden board on the floor and the superstructure, if low, should be raised.
  • While transporting, the cattle, the goods vehicle shall not be loaded with any other merchandise; and to prevent cattle being frightened or injured, they should preferably, face the engine.
• First-aid equipment shall accompany the sheep or goats in transit. Suitable ramps shall be provided for loading and unloading the sheep or goats.
• In the case of a railway wagon, when the loading or unloading is done on the platform the dropped door of the wagon shall be used as a ramp.
• Sheep and goats shall be transported separately; but if the lots are small special partition shall be provided to separate them. Rams and male young stock shall not be mixed with female stock in the same compartment.
• Sufficient food and fodder shall be carried to last during the journey and watering facility shall be provided at regular intervals.
• Material for padding, such as straw, shall be placed on the floor to avoid injury if an animal lies down, and this shall be not less than 5 cm. thick.
• The animals shall not be fettered unless there is a risk of their jumping out and their legs shall not be tied down.

Click here to view floor space required for sheep