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

Abstract

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.

Duty cycle and high-frequency effects on welfare and meat quality of broilers chicken: compliance with European animal stunning regulation

“…The frequency of 1500 hz and the interaction between 1100 hz and 25% duty cycle were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for waterholding capacity (WhC) (Table 5). The values of WhC were between 58.87 and 66.99%, lower than those (79.58-82.57%) found by SMalDONE et al (2021) who applied a frequency of 1400 hz and a current of 200 ma. The WhC values obtained by applying a frequency of 1100 hz, both for this parameter individually and combined with the duty cycle, demonstrated that all averages were higher than the frequency of 700 hz, showing that the lower the frequency, the higher the WhC.…”

Relevant Indicators of Consciousness after Waterbath Stunning in Turkeys and Stunning Efficiency in Commercial Conditions

“…Results showed that some combinations of the electrical parameters were considered effective at inducing and maintaining the state of unconsciousness during bleeding, and some did not. It should be highlighted that non-effective sub-optimal electrical parameters or equipment, the use of low voltage/current or/and the application of high frequencies and poor or lack of calibration may represent an animal welfare hazard by not guaranteeing the unconsciousness of all animals [16]. Thus, precaution when comparing the efficiency of the electrical combinations is needed as the electrical parameters used in waterbath were obtained from the FVO and where not checked in situ by the researchers in the present study.…”

“…Moreover, several scientific studies assessed the efficiency of stunning according to different key electrical parameters in the waterbath. However, inconsistency of method and criteria was also observed [14][15][16].…”

Colangiohepatite Associada À Pancreatite Em Felino: Relato De Caso

“…Outra técnica que ainda tem aplicação restrita nas plantas avícolas é a insensibilização em atmosfera controlada, no entanto, o seu uso se torna promissor diante das exigências dos consumidores pelo bem-estar dos animais, o qual torna inerente o abate humanitário e, consequentemente, pela diminuição do estresse tem-se menores perdas econômicas pelo descarte das carcaças (HILLEBRAND et al, 1996;LAMBOOIJ et al, 1999;BITENCOURT, 2011;PARTECA et al, 2017;HAYAT et al, 2023). Na Europa, 80% dos frangos são insensibilizados por atordoamento elétrico e apenas 20% por atmosfera controlada (BER; RAJ, 2015;SMALDONE et al, 2021). Essa técnica tem como princípio a utilização do CO 2 na insensibilização, o qual causa uma saturação dos tecidos com depressão das funções celulares, e bloqueio da capacidade das células nervosas transmitirem estímulos.…”