Table 6.

ABMs selected for the assessment of handling stress in pigs during preparation and loading/unloading

ABM	Definition and interpretation of the ABM
High‐level vocalisations (screams)	Definition: Squealing or screaming, at group level when pigs are moved or manipulated (adapted from Welfare Quality®, 2009; Dalmau et al., 2009). Interpretation: Pigs are prone to scream when scared, forced to do something they do not want or exposed to pain. Electric goad use is associated with such vocalisations (Correa et al., 2010).
Falling	Definition: Loss of balance, in which part(s) of the body (beside legs) are in touch with the floor (Dalmau et al., 2009; Welfare Quality®, 2009). Interpretation: Pigs may fall on the ramp or in barn/truck as a result of forceful handling, behaviour of other pigs, slippery flooring, steepness or obstacles.
Slipping	Definition: Loss of balance, without (a part of) the body being in touch with the floor (Dalmau et al., 2009; Welfare Quality®, 2009). Interpretation: Slipping occurs when pigs are forced to move rapidly on an inadequate surface.
Refusal to move forward	Definition: An animal that stops for at least two seconds not moving the body or head (freezing) or that refuses to move when coerced by the operator (Dalmau et al., 2009; Welfare Quality®, 2009). Interpretation: Pigs refusal to move forward when exposed to handling stress or loading/unloading area is not well designed (angle, depth of slope, flooring, lack of foot battens or lateral protection, etc.).
Mounting/overlapping	Definition: Pig mounts another pig, with its front legs on the back of the other pig (Dalmau et al., 2009; Welfare Quality®, 2009). Interpretation: Insufficient space on the ramp during loading and unloading due to inadequate group size in tight/narrow spaces and rough handling may lead to mounting and/or overlapping.
Post‐mortem carcass lesions	Definition: Skin damages on carcases that are assessed in the slaughterhouse subjectively along the dressing line by using different photographic scales. The assessment can be conducted as a whole or separately in different parts of the carcass, such as head/shoulder, middle/loin, and ham (Faucitano, 2001). Interpretation: Post‐mortem carcass lesions are considered as evidence of poor handling and inadequate facilities at farm and during all stages of loading/unloading.

ABM: animal‐based measure.