Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

Controlled atmosphere (CAS) stunning includes several variations of gaseous mixtures given to induce an anaesthetic state before slaughter poultry. One method of multi phase CAS is to unload the birds out of the crate on a conveyor belt and subject the birds to an atmosphere of 30% O2, 40% CO2 and 30% N2 for 1 min to stun them followed by an atmosphere of 80% CO2 and 5% O2 for 2 min. Another approach of CAS involves exposure of poultry while remaining in the crates in a chamber to a mixture of inert gasses to produce anoxic loss of consciousness. This approach includes killing with a number of different gasses by anoxia such as Ar and N2 content up to 90% with a CO2 content limited to 30% and O2 maximised by 2%. Initially Ar and O2 were used in contents of > 90% and 2%, respectively. At present N2 and Ar with/ or without CO2 for broilers and N2 with CO2 are used for turkey. After stunning the birds are shackled, exsanguinated and slaughtered. CO2 is an naesthetic gas which produces rapid unconsciousness when inhaled at high concentrations, however, signs of asphyxia and behavioural excitation are observed due to occurrence of both hypercapnia and hypoxia. More over, it is an acidic gas. It is likely that an avoidance response is mediated by the olfactory system in birds. Exposure of birds to 90% Ar in air or 60% Ar / 30% CO2 in air results in an anoxic condition. Anoxia results in suppression of the rostral reticular formation and therefore loss of consciousness and in suppression of the caudal reticular formation and therefore onset of convulsions. Wing flapping is observed before the onset of loss of posture when exposed to Ar or Ar / CO2 gas mixtures

Ritueel slachten en het welzijn van dieren

This report is a literature survey concerning animal welfare aspects of ritual slaughter. The main conclusion of the survey was that ritual slaughter has a number of negative aspects for the animals when compared to conventional procedures where a stun is performed prior to slaughter. The authors recommend various possibilities to improve the situation of animals destined for ritual slaughte

Hazard identification and characterization of welfare aspects during transport of farm animals

Within the EU, free movement of animals from one Member State to another and more uniformity among production animals and production systems has resulted in more long distance transport from farm to farm or from farm to slaughterhouse. Since there is a lot of discussion about transport of farm animals within Europe a workshop on transport of farm animals was organized. The objective of the workshop was to identify research priorities and obtaining commitment with regard to livestock transport through dialogue and debate on issues of welfare, legislation and economic aspects. The second objective of the workshop was to try to set research priorities and to obtain consensus among stakeholders about potential risks and “blank spots” in the transport of livestock, in particular with regard to animals welfare aspect

Methoden voor euthanasie op het primaire bedrijf en standaardwerkwijzen voor het doden van nertsen = Methods for on-farm euthanasia and standard operation procedures for killing of mink

A literature survey reveals several authorized methods of euthanasia. These methods were evaluated on criteria as animal welfare, effectiveness, efficiency and aesthetics of operation. Standard operation procedures for mink were drawn up

Haalbaarheid mobiel slachthuis en uitsnijderij = Feasibility of mobile slaughter and cutting carcasses

To develop selling of local products and biologic meat a mobile unit for slaughter farm animals with a permanent cutting and selling room at the farm can be useful

Space allowance of young goats during transportation to slaughter = Beladingsdichtheid tijdens het wegtransport van jonge geiten

Research was performed during long distance road transportations of young goats (6-8 weeks). Effects of three space allowances on physiological responses (blood parameters, heart rate and body temperature) were measured