Shrinkage or shrink refers to the amount of live weight an animal loses from the time the animal
is gathered for transport to the slaughterhouse until it is slaughtered. Livestock coming off lush
pastures will show live weight losses shortly after being taken off feed because the feed passes
through them faster than dried forages and grains do. Poor ventilation and/or overcrowding in the
gathering pens or trailers increases shrinkage rates. Animals that are overheated or shivering
from extreme cold will also suffer more weight loss.
If animals are deprived of feed for 6 or more hours not only live weight but carcass weight starts
to decrease and dressing percentage (DP) will also start to drop. Carcass weight loss in young
goats is about 2.5%, 3 to 4%, and 6 to 7% after a 12, 24, and 48 hour fast, respectively. Water
deprivation can result in another 2% loss in carcass weight. Depending on the distance traveled,
truckers report shrink losses of 3% to 10% for livestock going from farm to auction.
