Effects of lairage time on welfare indicators, energy metabolism and meat quality of pigs in Beijing

► Proper lairage time of pigs in Chinese commercial conditions was studied. ► Three hours of lairage was recommended to improve pig welfare. ► Better meat quality could be obtained under 3 h lairage. ► Excessive lairage time may impair pig welfare and reduce pork quality. ► Lairage could decrease glycolysis in early stage postmortem muscles.