ASSESSMENT OF FACILITIES AT KANO MAIN ABATTOIR AND LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER FIGURES AS AFFECTED BY SEASONS

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the facilities as well as seasonal effect on livestock slaughter figures at Kano Main abattoir. The facilities were assessed based on their presence and state of condition while seasonal effects on livestock slaughter figures were obtained from the abattoir record book. Data on total number of goats, sheep, cattle and camels slaughtered daily for a period of nine months were collected and recorded. The result of the study showed that, some of the facilities were not functional. It was observed that the lairage in the abattoir is not used for ante mortem examination. The cruel method of animal immobilization, unhygienic method of animal slaughter and fairly non availability of good water were the negative practices recorded in the Kano Main abattoir. The result of the slaughter figures during the nine months period revealed that, Goat had the highest slaughter figures (27045, 69119, 35905), followed by cattle (21496, 34175, 28460) then sheep (5930, 10258, 6468) while camel had the least (2433, 3979, 3916) at the early dry season, late dry season and late wet season respectively. It was concluded that meat inspectors at Kano main abattoir do not enforce the use of abattoir facilities during inspection which hinders efficient ante and post mortem examination.