Abstract
Simple SummaryIn this study, we investigated various types of application of head-only electrical stunning to turkeys, in order to improve the effectiveness of the stunning process. We used recordings of physical responses and of electroencephalograms (EEGs) to assess effectivity of stunning and various waveforms: alternating current (AC) and pulsed direct currents (DC). Depending on the waveforms, voltages between 125 and 250 V produced an effective stun in turkeys in this study.Electrical stunning is likely to remain an important stunning method for turkeys at slaughter. The purpose of this study is to understand the application of various waveforms of alternating current (AC) and pulsed direct currents (DC), head-only, to turkeys and to improve the effectiveness of handheld stunning of turkeys. We evaluated the effectiveness of stunning by documenting physical responses and recording electroencephalograms (EEGs). For the assessment of physical responses, the stunning voltage was varied depending on the proportion of animals effectively stunned at a certain voltage level. If all turkeys in a group of 10 were stunned, the voltage was decreased, and the next group was stunned. This was repeated until not all turkeys showed signs of being effectively stunned. The experiment was then repeated at the voltage level just above the one that showed incomplete effective stunning. The effects of the stunning on the EEG recording was assessed in 16 turkeys to measure the occurrence of epileptiform EEGs, in 14 turkeys to assess epileptiform EEGs after neck-cut (bleeding), and in 14 turkeys to assess the effect of increased voltage and reduced frequency on epileptiform EEGs. Assessing EEGs in a laboratory setting contributes considerably to the understanding of electrical stunning procedures. Voltages between 125 and 250 V, depending on the waveform assessed, were effective in producing an effective stun in turkeys in this study.
Highlights
Current legislation on welfare of animals requires stunning before slaughter to render the animals unconscious, with a few exceptions such as religious slaughter practices [1,2]
Electrical stunning is predominantly used in small scale turkey slaughter [3], while mechanical or controlled atmosphere stunning methods are generally used by larger producers [4,5]
Head only stunning will be beneficial for animal welfare, due to the fact that the application will usually be less variable than water bath stunning [8,9,10]
Summary
Current legislation on welfare of animals requires stunning before slaughter to render the animals unconscious, with a few exceptions such as religious slaughter practices [1,2]. When the electrical current is applied only to the head, it prevents the direct muscle stimulation produced when it is applied through the whole bird, e.g., using a water bath stunner [6]. With predominantly white fast twitch muscle fibres, the effect of direct muscle stimulation on the production of muscle haemorrhages and broken pectoral bones in water bath stunners will have consequences on turkey meat quality [6,7]. The use of a head-only application is likely beneficial to carcass and meat quality. Head only stunning will be beneficial for animal welfare, due to the fact that the application will usually be less variable than water bath stunning [8,9,10]. Processing properties of turkey meat does not seem to be influenced either positively or negatively by electrical stunning [11,12]
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