Thirty Kivircik lambs were used to investigate effect of pre-slaughter treatment on certain haematological
and biochemical parameters, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Lambs were divided into three treatments:
75 min transport and lairage for 18 h (TS-L18 h); 75 min transport and lairage for 30 min (TSL30
min) and no pre-slaughter transport and lairage for 30 min (NTS). Treatment, as a main effect, did not
influence haematological and biochemical parameters, but sampling time significantly affected these parameters,
except total protein. Plasma cortisol concentration at exsanguination in TS-18 h, TS-30 min and NTS treatments
were 117.34, 119.23 and 72.51 ng/ml, respectively. pH of longissimus dorsi muscle was higher in TS-L30 min
than other treatments. TS-L30 min lambs had the highest shear force value, the lowest WHC and cooking loss.
TS-L30 min treatment yielded the darkestmeat immediately after cutting and 1 h later.Meat redness, yellowness
and chroma values were similar in treatments.