Bienestar animal y calidad de carne antes y después del faenamiento en ovinos del Camal Municipal de Ambato

Abstract

The titled study addresses the relevance of animal welfare and the quality of sheep meat in the context of the Camal Municipal de Ambato, Ecuador. The growing demand for sheep meat and consumer expectations in terms of quality and animal welfare pose significant challenges for the livestock industry in the region. Evaluate animal welfare and sheep meat quality before and after slaughter to identify areas for improvement in handling and transportation practices. An observational and descriptive study was carried out, using a simple random sampling of sheep slaughtered in one month. Parameters such as body condition, live weight, carcass yield. The data were analyzed with SPSS software, applying Student t' tests and analysis of variance. The results indicate that sheep transported from greater distances and in unsuitable vehicles have higher levels of stress, reflected in a greater incidence of DFD (dark, firm and dry) meat. Furthermore, proper management practices, such as the use of effective stunning methods, positively influence meat quality and animal welfare. The study highlights the importance of implementing humane transportation and handling practices to improve animal welfare and the quality of sheep meat in the Ambato Municipal Camal. These improvements not only benefit producers and consumers, but also contribute to the sustainability and competitiveness of sheep production in the region.