17 STUNNING AND SLAUGHTERING OF POULTRY

epgp books

 

The welfare of birds during slaughter is protected by law and must be integral to every processing plant’s Standard Operating Procedure Stunning methods should be

  • minimize the risk of causing pain
  • fear or distress to the birds.
  • Stunning must render the birds immediately insensible to pain
  • excitement or distress.

 

STUNNING METHOD

 

Poultry may be stunned by

 

1. Electronarcosis

2. percussive stunning (captive-bolt)

3. controlled atmosphere (gas) stunning.

 

ELECTRICAL STUNNING

  • This is achieved by passing a current through the bird that causes immediate loss of consciousness and sensibility to pain.
  • Hand-held electrodes for small flocks or through an electrified water bath where larger throughputs are required.
  • The current must be of sufficient strength and duration to ensure that the birds are render.

 

SIGNS OF AN EFFECTIVE ELECTRICAL STUNNING

 

• Neck arched with head held vertically

• No rhythmic breathing

• Rigidly extended legs

• Constant, rapid body tremors

• Absence of a third eyelid reflex wings held tightly against body

 

CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STUNNING (CAS)

  • Birds killed by exposure to appropriate anoxic gas mixtures The signs of an effective stunning:-
  • A relaxed and recumbent body
  • Absence of the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) Comparisonreflex of the basic nutritional
  • Fully dilated pupils
  • Absence of rhythmic breathing.

 

CONCUSSION STUNNING

 

Achieved by a blow to the head using a captive-bolt instrument Signs of an effective stun:-

 

• Absence of rhythmic breathing

• Uncontrolled wing flapping

• Leg flexion and extension

• Absence of vocalization

 

NECK DISLOCATION

 

It cause rupturing of the spine and concussion

  • Methods that crush the neck  do not cause concussion
  • Their use is therefore NOT recommended.
  • It is important that a technician applying neck dislocation is mentally prepared

 

SLAUGHTER OF “MEAT-TYPE” BIRDS

  • Live Hang
  • Electrical Immobilization
  • Neck Cutting
  • Bleed Out Tunnel and Scald Tank
  • Ruptured Blood Vessels
  • Gas Stunning
  • Slaughter, CO2  Gassing,

 

SLAUGHTER LAWS FOR POULTRY

 

“Humane” Poultry Slaughter Bills Introduced in the U.S. in the 1990s

 

1. 1957 Poultry Products Inspection Act

2. 1906 Meat Inspection Act

3. 1958 Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

 

FUTURE PROSPECTS

 

Federal Legislation in the U.S.Imoroved by

 

1. Slaughter Act (1958)

2.1957 Poultry Products Inspection Act

3.State Anti-Cruelty Laws in the U.S.

4.Eliminate/Prohibit Electrical “Stunning“

5.Pre-Stun Shocks

6.Gas Stunning

you can view video on STUNNING AND SLAUGHTERING OF POULTRY

 

Suggested readings

  • Gregory N.G (2005). Recent concerns about stunning and slaughter. Meat Science 70:481–491
  • Tsola E., Drosinos E.H., Zoiopoulos P. (2008). Impact of poultry slaughter house modernisation and updating of food safety management systems on the microbiological quality and safety of products. Food Control 19: 423–431
  • James C., Vincen C., de Andrade Lima T.I., James S.J. (2006) .The primary chilling of poultry carcasses a review. International Journal of Refrigeration 29: 847- 862
  • Raj, A.B.M. (2006) “Recent developments in stunning and slaughter of poultry”. In World’s Poultry Science Journal, Vol 62, September 2006
  • Löhren, U; Overview on current practices of poultry slaughtering and poultry meat inspection. Supporting Publications 2012:EN-298. [58 pp.]. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/publications.