Bem-estar aplicado em confinamento de bovinos de corte

Abstract

n the year 2021, Brazil presented a herd of 196.47 million head of cattle, the confinement of which 6.73 million cattle in confinement, being in the four largest producers and exporters of meat in the world together with the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Given the great prominence of these countries in producing and exporting a large volume of meat, responsibility, sustainability and well-being aimed at raising cattle grow together. The objective of this work is to review literature aimed at welfare applied in feedlots of beef cattle. The welfare of cattle is related to good nutrition and health, efficient rational handling, adequate facilities and the freedom of the animals to express their natural behaviors. In order for animals to be well treated in accordance with animal welfare guidelines, the importance of the vaccination schedule in the lives of animals is highlighted. Cattle newly arrived at confinement receive changes in adaptation to diet, facilities and climate. Studies based on the low availability of space in confinement corrals point to a greater risk of impoverishing the welfare of the animals. It is necessary that the animals are calm, and that they have enough space to move around, have a good view of the stall, corridor, boarding and truck, being easy to handle them. Inadequate handling before slaughter can lead to the appearance of bruises on the carcasses, the presence of dark cuts in the meat, vaccine reactions and weight loss. By respecting the space favorable to the cattle, good ability to form batches is obtained, they are able to express their own behavior, with less stereotypies and fights, in addition to feeding better, meeting nutritional demands.