Effect of electrical hybrid-frequency waterbath stunning on the spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) of broilers

Abstract

Concerns about animal welfare and meat quality have encouraged research on new methods for the stunning of broilers during animal slaughter. In this study, the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) of broilers were acquired during stunning using an electrical hybrid instead of a single frequency. Considering a square wave with a current of 220 mA and a frequency of 1100 Hz (duty-cycle 50%), the hybrid-frequency waveform is obtained generating pulses at 6600 Hertz in the pulse-width phase. Sixty broilers aged 42 days were randomly sampled; thirty were used for EEG measurement and thirty for ECG measurement. For EEG measurements, the birds' scalps were anesthetized, and EEG electrode needles were inserted on the subcutaneous part of the occipital scalp. For ECG, the non-invasive surface electrode was used. The electrodes were connected to a digital EEG/ECG system. The results showed that the hybrid-frequency waveform system generated epileptic forms in the birds' EEGs. Therefore, a hybrid-frequency system may present better carcass quality results, while preserving the birds' welfare, when compared with a single frequency system use. Keywords: poultry; unconsciousness; electrical stunning; animal welfare

Application of Electroencephalography in Preslaughter Management: A Review

“…La Vega et al [ 138 ] studied the EEG (EEG electrodes inserted on subcutaneous parts of the occipital scalp of anesthetized birds) and ECG (surface electrode) on broilers stunned by using an electrical hybrid (6600 Hz) in place of a single frequency (220 mA, 1100 Hz, 50% duty cycle). The authors reported better carcass quality and improved animal welfare in the hybrid-frequency system compared to the single-frequency system.…”