Stunning methods for poultry

Raj, Mohan; Tserveni-Gousi, A. S.

doi:10.1079/wps20000021

Cited by 30 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…This means that such a short delay between shackling and stunning in the slaughtering process is capable of inducing a considerable stress response in broiler chickens under commercial conditions. In conclusion, we agree with Raj and Tserveni-Gousi (2000), who recommend using a method eliminating the stress associated with the shackling of live birds before electrical stunning (e.g. stunning/killing of poultry still in their transport containers using gas mixtures) as the best future option as far as bird welfare is concerned.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

“…Their study reviews the regulations on the provision for the welfare of poultry at slaughter as it affects shackling, the equipment involved in shackling, and the physiological and psychological effect of shackling on birds. Similarly, Raj and Tserveni-Gousi (2000) noted that electrical water bath stunning of broiler chickens shackled on a moving line is the most common method used to stun poultry under commercial conditions. However, as far as bird welfare is concerned, using a method eliminating the stress associated with the shackling of live birds before electrical stunning (e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling

et al. 2007

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BedáÀová I., E. Vosláfiová, V. Veãerek, V. Pi‰tûková, P. Chloupek: Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling. Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: 129-135.The aim of our experiment was to assess the stress response of broilers to different periods of shackling when conditions similar to practice at slaughterhouses were simulated. In this study, heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratios were used as an index of stress status. Also total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were monitored and differential leukocyte count was assessed. At 42 days of age, 10 broilers were subjected to a 2-min shackling period (S2 group) and other 10 broilers were subjected to a 5-min shackling period (S5 group). Broilers were suspended from shackles placed in an experimental processing line and other stress factors (e.g. preslaughter transport, crating and ambient disturbances) were eliminated in order to assess the stress response to shackling particularly. When compared with an unshackled control, both S2 and S5 groups exhibited a highly significant increase in heterophil counts and H/L ratio 20 h following shackling. When compared, the mean value of the H/L ratio of S2 and S5 chickens was higher due to the longer shackling period. The difference, however, was not statistically significant. In addition, S5 broilers exhibited a statistically significant elevation in the number of basophils in comparison with the control. When compared with the control, S2 broilers exhibited a significant decrease in haemoglobin level, a highly significant decrease in erythrocyte cell count and MCHC values due to shackling. Both S2 and S5 groups of broilers manifested a highly significant increase in MCV values and markedly depressed erythrocyte count and MCHC values in comparison with unshackled broilers. When S2 and S5 broilers were compared, none of the monitored haematological indices of the erythrocyte count manifested any significant changes due to the different periods of shackling. Results of our experiment proved that the preslaughter shackling induced considerable changes in haematological indices of both leukocyte and erythrocyte count in broilers and indicated a markedly increased level of stress effects. In conclusion, using a method that eliminates the stress associated with the shackling of live birds before electrical stunning should be considered as a better option as far as bird welfare is concerned.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

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confidence: 99%

Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling

et al. 2007

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“…Electrical stunning that induces cardiac fibrillation might, on the other hand, cause meat-quality defects (Gregory, 1989). Induction of cardiac arrest in conscious birds has been questioned due to possible welfare concerns (Raj and Tserveni-Gousi, 2000). Resumption of breathing does not necessarily coincide with sensibility but indicates the ability of the bird to recover from stunning (von Wenzlawowicz and von Holleben, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Application of low frequencies is considered to induce death, thus preventing recovery of the birds, and is often preferred for animal welfare reasons. However, the effect of the different electrical parameters on the induction of unconsciousness and death is not fully understood (Raj and Tserveni-Gousi, 2000). Under commercial conditions, a constant voltage is applied in multibird waterbath stunners.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrical waterbath stunning: Influence of different waveform and voltage settings on the induction of unconsciousness and death in male and female broiler chickens

Prinz

Oijen

Ehinger³

et al. 2012

Poultry Science

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Stunning effectiveness of male and female broiler chickens was analyzed in response to different waveforms at 3 constant voltage levels. In total, 180 male and female broiler chickens were stunned using a sine wave alternating current (AC) of 50 Hz, rectangular AC of 70 Hz, and pulsed direct current (DC) of 70 Hz (duty-cycle 1:1) with a constant voltage of 60, 80, or 120 V, respectively. In each stunning group, 10 male and 10 female birds were stunned for 4 s. The current obtained by every bird was recorded. For stunning efficiency, the electroencephalogram (EEG) and physical reflexes were recorded and analyzed. The EEG was recorded for 120 s poststun. Simultaneously, the occurrence of spontaneous eye blinking, wing flapping, and breathing was assessed, and the corneal reflex was tested every 20 s poststun. The EEG was analyzed regarding the occurrence of a profound suppression to less than 10% of the prestun level in the 2 to 30 Hz and 13 to 30 Hz bands. Female broilers obtained a significantly lower stunning current compared with that of the males. This resulted in a lower stunning efficiency for females, when the same constant voltage was applied to males and females. The waveforms required different amounts of currents to achieve a 90% stunning efficiency. A minimum necessary stunning current of 70, 90, and 130 mA could be established for sine wave AC, rectangular AC, and pulsed DC, respectively. The low stunning efficiency of pulsed DC might be caused by the short stunning time of 4 s. This effect should be further investigated for DC stunning. Very few birds stunned with AC resumed breathing following stunning, indicating stun to kill. Pulsed DC stunning showed a lower effect on the induction of death. The level of wing flapping, indicating convulsions and possible meat quality defects, was higher for the AC treatments.

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“…During water bath stunning, birds may receive potentially painful electric shocks prior to being stunned if the entry to the water bath is wet and not isolated. The occurrence, prevalence and prevention of pre-stun shocks during water bath stunning of poultry has been reported (23)(24)(25).…”

Section: 2pre-stun Shocksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrical water bath stunning for Halal poultry meat production: animal welfare issues and compatibility with the Halal rules.

Fuseini¹,

Teye²,

Wotton³

et al. 2018

CABI Reviews

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The use of electrical water bath stunning for the 'humane' slaughter of poultry has drawn criticism from some animal welfare research scientists and animal welfare organizations throughout the world. During water bath stunning, birds are shackled and inverted prior to entry into an electrified water bath, current is passed from the head, through the body and legs to earth via stainless steel shackles. From a Halal perspective, the rules stipulate that the welfare of animals is protected at all times and that animals must be alive (not conscious) at the point of neck-cutting. Some Muslim authorities have therefore questioned the suitability of water bath stunning for Halal meat production due to its negative impact on animal welfare and the possibility of some birds dying prior to exsanguination. This paper examines possible welfare compromises during water bath stunning and how these may affect compatibility with the rules of Halal meat production.

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Stunning methods for poultry

Cited by 30 publications

References 36 publications

Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling

Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling

Electrical waterbath stunning: Influence of different waveform and voltage settings on the induction of unconsciousness and death in male and female broiler chickens

Electrical water bath stunning for Halal poultry meat production: animal welfare issues and compatibility with the Halal rules.

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