Slaughter of animals: poultry

Nielsen, Søren Saxmose; Álvarez, Julio; Bicout, Dominique; Calistri, Paolo; Depner, Klaus; Drewe, Julian Ashley; Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno; Rojas, José Luis Gonzales; Schmidt, Christian Gortázar; Miranda, Miguel Ángel; Roberts, Helen Clare; Sihvonen, Liisa; Spoolder, Hans; Ståhl, Karl; Velarde, Antonio; Viltrop, Arvo; Winckler, Christoph; Candiani, Denise; Fabris, Chiara; Stede, Yves Van der; Michel, Virginie

doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5849

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…Hazard's preventive and corrective measures: Contrary to the slaughter context (see EFSA AHAW Panel, 2019), in which each person can shackle up to 1,000 birds per hour, for on-farm killing it is difficult to give figures as it depends on the number of operators and the farm features (e.g. design of house).…”

Section: Inappropriate Shacklingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Killing for purposes other than slaughter: poultry

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2019

EFS2

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Poultry of different ages may have to be killed on-farm for purposes other than slaughter (in which slaughtering is defined as being for human consumption) either individually or on a large scale (e.g. because unproductive, for disease control, etc.). The processes of on-farm killing that were assessed are handling and stunning and/or killing methods (including restraint). The latter were grouped into four categories: electrical methods, modified atmosphere, mechanical methods and lethal injection. In total, 29 hazards were identified and characterised, most of these regard stunning and/or killing. Staff were identified as origin for 26 hazards and 24 hazards were attributed to lack of appropriate skill sets needed to perform tasks or due to fatigue. Specific hazards were identified for day-old chicks killed via maceration. Corrective and preventive measures were assessed: measures to correct hazards were identified for 13 hazards, and management showed to have a crucial role in prevention. Eight welfare consequences, the birds can be exposed to during on-farm killing, were identified: not dead, consciousness, heat stress, cold stress, pain, fear, distress and respiratory distress. Welfare consequences and relevant animal-based measures were described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal-based measures, origins, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences were also proposed.

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Section: Inappropriate Shacklingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Killing for purposes other than slaughter: poultry

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2019

EFS2

Self Cite

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“…Transport systems need to be designed and managed to ensure poultry are not caused unnecessary distress or discomfort. However, in reality, poultry are exposed to a number of stressors, including thermal stress and long journeys [ 6 ]. Thermal stress, either prolonged heat or cold stress, will have detrimental effects on poultry welfare during transportation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Season, Plumage Colour, and Transport Distance on Body Weight Loss, Dead-on-Arrival, and Reject Rate in Commercial End-of-Lay Hens

Çavuşoğlu

Petek

2021

Animals

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Transport conditions of end-of-lay hens are important for their welfare. This study investigated the effects of season, plumage colour, and transportation distance on the welfare of end-of-lay hens. Retrospective data from 31,667,274 end-of-lay hens transported to a poultry slaughterhouse in Turkey were analysed. The mean body weight loss, dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate, and reject rate were 3.723%, 1.397%, and 0.616%, respectively. The effects of season, plumage colour, and transport distance on the evaluated parameters were all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The highest body weight loss was found in winter, while the lowest body weight loss was found in autumn. The average DOA rate was highest in spring and lowest in autumn. The highest average reject rate was found in spring (0.630%). Body weight loss, DOA rates, and reject rates were also significantly different among white and brown hens (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.016, respectively). The highest body weight loss and reject rates were found in white plumage hens, while the highest DOA rate was found in brown plumage hens. The body weight loss and DOA rate were positively correlated with transportation distance (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that more preventive measures should be taken during the transport of end-of-lay hens, especially in cold seasons such as winter, and over longer transport distances, in regard to the welfare of these animals. Additionally, the transport of these animals should be lessened to a certain distance.

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“…Electrical parameters which should be considered to induce unconsciousness and insensibility are (i) minimum current, (ii) minimum voltage, (iii) frequency of current, (iv) current type (alternating current/direct current), and (v) waveform of the electricity [13]. The wrong choice of electrical parameters or equipment, poor or lack of calibration, the use of low voltage/current or/and the application of high frequencies may represent an animal welfare hazard and may impact meat quality [14]. Electrical stunning values are settled by the EU Regulation N. 1099/2009 [15] which establishes rules on the protection of animals at the time of the killing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, the respect of welfare is not always associated with meat quality [14]. It is well known that electrical stunning may cause many forms of meat downgrading.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Broilers’ Body Weight on the Efficiency of Electrical Stunning and Meat Quality under Field Conditions

Smaldone

Capezzuto²,

Ambrosio

et al. 2021

Animals

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Water-bath stunning represents the most-applied stunning system in poultry slaughtering, but within the European Union, specific indications on electric parameters that should be used, such as voltage, are missing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two commercially available types of electrical equipment (A and B) on broilers with different live body weights and the influence of the tested parameters on meat quality. Experimental trials in a European Union-approved slaughterhouse were carried out using two different stunners. 6600 broilers, divided into three weight groups, were stunned applying different protocols based on the same current frequencies and intensity but different voltages. The state of unconsciousness (presence of corneal reflex and wings flapping) and post-mortem defects (pectoral hemorrhages and dark meat) were evaluated by blinded trained operators. The presence of corneal reflex and petechiae were the most reported consciousness signs and post-mortem injuries, respectively. Different weights played an important role within stunner A, registering statistical differences (p < 0.01) among groups. Considering injuries, an inverse relationship between body weight and lesions was found. The results highlighted the effectiveness of both stunning systems applying the best combination of electrical parameters considering the weight of the animal and ensuring its well-being.

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Slaughter of animals: poultry

Cited by 18 publications

References 138 publications

Killing for purposes other than slaughter: poultry

Killing for purposes other than slaughter: poultry

Effects of Season, Plumage Colour, and Transport Distance on Body Weight Loss, Dead-on-Arrival, and Reject Rate in Commercial End-of-Lay Hens

The Influence of Broilers’ Body Weight on the Efficiency of Electrical Stunning and Meat Quality under Field Conditions

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