Evaluation of the welfare of dairy goats in the slaughterhouse of Gran Canaria

Abstract

In animal welfare, it is a fundamental requirement in animal production, allowing the assessment of how the animals are on farms. Goats are very important in the Canary Islands, since a large part of the raw material for many local gastronomy products comes from them. The animal welfare of goats depends on many factors, type of farm, location of the farm, etc. This well-being can be manifested in various ways: abnormal behavior, body mass index, condition of the hooves, condition of the coat, etc. Present Study was performed on the official slaughterhouse at the island of Gran Canaria about the state of animal welfare of the island's goats when they arrive at the slaughterhouse. Animals presented a good state of animal welfare in the antemortem inspection thought out the measured parameters of body mass index, condition of the hooves, presence of nasal and ocular discharge, and presence of lameness.