Temple Grandin, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado Handle animals gently. Gentle handling prevents damage to small blood vessels caused by excited animals jamming against each other or equipment. Electric prod usage should be kept at a minimum.
Plastic paddles work well for moving pigs instead of electric prods.
Animals should never be left in the restrainer system during breaks and lunch. Bloodsplash may also be increased if one side of a V restrainer runs faster than the other. This causes stretching of the skin which damages blood vessels. Both sheep and pigs should be bled within 15 seconds after stunning to minimize meat damage. The slats on the V restrainer and hold-down rack should be insulated to prevent current leakage which can cause bloodsplash.