BOVINE WASTAGES IN ABATTOIR AND SLAUGHTER SLABS OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA: PATTERN AND ETHICAL CONCERNS

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the extent of foetal losses in Ibadan abattoirs and
slaughter slabs, since Ibadan constitutes a key cattle trading centre in South-Western
Nigeria. Factors that were considered included the year of slaughter and the effects of
season. The month of slqughter did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect any of the cattle
slaughter indices assessed. More pregnant cows were slaughtered in Oyo State abattoirs
and slabs in the early wet season (comprising April, May and June) relative to the other
three monthly seasons of the year. The highest percentage of pregnant cows slaughtered
in Ibadan within the period under study was 6.33% and this was much lower than the
figures reported for other livestock species.