Abstract
The efficiency of stunning cattle was assessed in 443 animals (304 pure Zebu and 139 crossbred cattle), being mainly mature bulls and cows. Cattle were stunned using a Jarvis pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt gun operating with low (160–175psi, N=82) and high (190psi, N=363) airline pressure, which was within the manufactures specifications. Signs of brain function and the position of the shots on the heads were recorded after stunning. Velocity of the captive bolt and its physical parameters were calculated. Cattle shot with low pressures showed more rhythmic respiration (27 vs. 8%, P<0.001), less tongue protrusion (4 vs. 12%, P=0.03) and less masseter relaxation (22 vs. 48%, P<0.001). There was an increased frequency of shots in the ideal position when cattle were shot with the low compared to high airline pressures (15.3 vs. 3.1%). Bolt velocity and its physical parameters were significantly (P<0.01) higher when using high pressure. Airline pressures below 190psi are inappropriate when shooting adult Zebu beef cattle with pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt guns.
Highlights
The aim of penetrative captive bolt stunning is to induce a deep and irreversible form of concussion prior to the act of slaughter (Gregory, 2007)
In spite of the relatively small difference in the levels of air pressure, the results found in this study demonstrate the importance of choosing high airline pressures instead of low, since cattle presented fewer signs of imperfect stunning and the penetrating captive bolt gun (PCB) guns performed better
There was not a higher frequency of shots at the ideal shooting position, which is described as the cross-over point between imaginary lines drawn between the base of each horn and the corner of the eye on the opposite side of the head (Gregory, 2007), at the higher airline pressure, but instead low pressures shots were more accurate than the high pressure shots (Table 2)
Summary
The aim of penetrative captive bolt stunning is to induce a deep and irreversible form of concussion prior to the act of slaughter (Gregory, 2007). Shooting an animal with pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt guns is one of the most common methods of cattle stunning in large abattoirs. This method consists of delivering a blow to the animal's head, which is designed to penetrate its cranium, causing massive damage to the brain and induce insensibility. As stated by Gibson, Mason, Spence, Barker, and Gregory (2015), insensibility is caused by a combination of direct damage to the brain and the kinetic energy delivered to the animal's head.
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