Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T03:56:24.019Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Current and novel methods for killing poultry individually on-farm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2014

J. SPARREY ,
D.A. SANDERCOCK ,
N.H.C. SPARKS  and
V. SANDILANDS
J. SPARREY
Affiliation:
Livetec Systems Ltd, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4HS, United Kingdom
D.A. SANDERCOCK
Affiliation:
Avian Science Research Centre, SRUC, Auchincruive Campus, Ayr, KA6 5HW, United Kingdom
N.H.C. SPARKS
Affiliation:
Avian Science Research Centre, SRUC, Auchincruive Campus, Ayr, KA6 5HW, United Kingdom
V. SANDILANDS*
Affiliation:
Avian Science Research Centre, SRUC, Auchincruive Campus, Ayr, KA6 5HW, United Kingdom
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

This review examines methods for culling small numbers of poultry on farm, considering both common techniques and methods that are yet to be tested on poultry. The aim of this review is to inform the design of experiments that will assess the pros and cons of culling techniques. The methods reviewed include manual and mechanical cervical dislocation, crushing methods (such as burdizzos or pliers), percussive devices, blunt force trauma and a brain-stem piercing device. Previous work on these approaches, of which there is a limited dataset, has relied on behavioural and brain activity as proxy measures of unconsciousness (insensibility) and death, however there remains some uncertainty as to when birds can be considered unequivocally insensible. These factors will be considered when deciding which of the methods will be recommended to be taken forward for further assessment.

Keywords

welfarepoultrycullingnovel techniques
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 70 , Issue 4 , December 2014 , pp. 737 - 758
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ACCLES and SHELVOKE (2010) Cash Poultry Killer Model CPK200 Product Data Sheet. Accles and Shelvoke, April 2010.Google Scholar
ANIMAL HEALTH AUSTRALIA (2006) Operational procedures manual: Destruction of animals (Version 3.0). Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN), Edition 3, Primary Industries Ministerial Council, Canberra, ACT. 2006.Google Scholar
AVMA (2007) AVMA guidelines on euthanasia. Journal of Veterinary Medical Association 218: 669-696.Google Scholar
BARNETT, J.L., CRONIN, G.M. and SCOTT, P.C. (2007) Behavioural response of poultry during kosher slaughter and their implications for birds’ welfare. Veterinary Record 160: 45-49.Google Scholar
CARTNER, S.C., BARLOW, S.C. and NESS, T.J. (2007) Loss of cortical function in mice after decapitation, cervical dislocation, potassium chloride injection, and CO2 inhalation. Comparative Medicine 57: 570-573.Google Scholar
CLOSE, B., BANISTER, K., BAUMANS, V., BERNOTH, E.-M., BROMAGE, N., BUNYAN, J., ERHARDT, W., FLECKNELL, P., GREGORY, N., HACKBARTH, H., MORTON, D. and WARWICK, C. (1997) Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: Part 2. Laboratory Animals 31: 1-32.Google Scholar
COENEN, A.M.L., LANKHAAR, J., LOWE, J.C. and MCKEEGAN, D.E.F. (2009) Remote monitoring of electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, and behavior during controlled atmosphere stunning in broilers: Implications for welfare Poultry Science 88: 10-19.Google Scholar
DAWSON, M.D., JOHNSON, K.J., BENSON, E.R., ALPHIN, R.L., SETA, S. and MALONE, G.W. (2009) Determining cessation of brain activity during depopulation or euthanasia of broilers using accelerometers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 18: 135-142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DEFRA (2000) A test of the effectiveness of the poultry casualty slaughter device for use in ducks and geese. (DEFRA Project MH0117).Google Scholar
DEFRA (2014) Final report on the welfare costs and benefits of existing and novel on-farm culling methods of poultry (MH0145).Google Scholar
DENNY-BROWN, D. and RUSSELL, W.R. (1941) Experimental cerebral concussion. Brain 64: 93-164.Google Scholar
EFSA (2004) Welfare Aspects of Animal Stunning and Killing Methods. Scientific Report of the Scientific Panel for Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the Commission related to welfare aspects of animal stunning and killing methods (Question N° EFSA-Q-2003-093). European Food Safety Authority Scientific AHAW/04-027. pp 1-241. http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/45.pdf.Google Scholar
ERASMUS, M.A., LAWLIS, P., DUNCAN, I.J.H. and WIDOWSKI, T.M. (2010a) Using time to insensibility and estimated time of death to evaluate a nonpenetrating captive bolt, cervical dislocation, and blunt trauma for on-farm killing of turkeys. Poultry Science 89: 1345-1354.Google Scholar
ERASMUS, M.A., TURNER, P.V., NYKAMP, S.G. and WIDOWSKI, T.M. (2010b) Brain and skull lesions resulting from use of percussive bolt, cervical dislocation by stretching, cervical dislocation by crushing and blunt trauma. Veterinary Record 167: 850-858.Google Scholar
ERASMUS, M.A., TURNER, P.V. and WIDOWSKI, T.M. (2010c) Measures of insensibility used to determine effective stunning and killing poultry. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 19: 288-298.Google Scholar
EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2009) European Council Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing EC 1099/2009. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:303:0001:0030:EN:PDF. Accessed 15 Aug 2011.Google Scholar
FAO (2009) FAO Manual: Preparing For Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. V. Martin, A. Forman, J. Lubroth Animal Production and Health Division FAO, Rome, Italy, Revised edition 2009.Google Scholar
FAWC (2009) Report on the welfare of farmed animals as slaughter or killing, part 2: white meat animals, pp. 1-52.Google Scholar
GALVIN, J.W., BLOKHUIS, H., CHIMBOMBI, M.C., JONG, D. and WOOTON, S. (2005) Killing of animals for disease control purposes. Revue Scientifique et Technique de L'Office International Des Epizooties. 24: 711-722.Google Scholar
GERRITZEN, M.A., LAMBOOIJ, B., REIMERT, H., STEGEMAN, A. and SPRUIJT, B. (2004) On-farm euthanasia of broiler chickens: effects of different gas mixtures on behavior and brain activity. Poultry Science 83: 1294-1301.Google Scholar
GREGORY, N.G. and WOTTON, S.B. (1986) Effect of slaughter on the spontaneous and evoked activity of the brain. British Poultry Science 27: 195-205.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
GREGORY, N.G. and WOTTON, S.B. (1990) Comparison of neck dislocation and percussion of the head on visual evoked responses in the chicken's brain. Veterinary Record 126: 570-572.Google ScholarPubMed
HEWITT, L. (2000) The development of a novel device for humanely dispatching casualty poultry. PhD Thesis, University of Bristol.Google Scholar
HSA (2004) Practical Slaughter of Poultry: A guide for the small producer. Humane Slaughter Association 2001, reprinted with minor amendments 2004.Google Scholar
JAKSCH, W. (1981) Euthanasia of day-old male chicks in the poultry industry. International Journal of the Study of Animal Problems 2: 203-213.Google Scholar
MCKEEGAN, D.E.F., MCINTYRE, J.A., DEMMERS, T.G.M., LOWE, J.C., WATHES, C.M., VAN DEN BROEK, P.L.C., COENEN, A. and GENTLE, M. (2007) Physiological and behavioural responses of broilers to controlled atmosphere stunning: implications for welfare. Animal Welfare 16: 409-426.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
OIE (2010) Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2010 – Chapter 7.6 Killing of animals for disease control purposes. http://www.oie.int/index.php?id=169&L=0&htmfile=chapitre_1.7.6.htm. Accessed 27 August 2010.Google Scholar
OXFORD DICTIONARIES (2010) ‘concussion’ Oxford Dictionaries, April 2010. Oxford University Press. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/concussion. Accessed 02 March 2011.Google Scholar
PEARCE, J.M. (2008) Observations on concussion. A review. European Neurology 59: 113-119. doi:10.1159/000111872.Google Scholar
PIZZURRO, S. (2009) About us – expectation of order fulfilment. http://www.therabbitwringer.com/index.html. Accessed 27 October 2010.Google Scholar
QUALITY BRITISH TURKEY (2010) Agricultural standards: breeder replacements, laying birds, hatchery, growing farms, free range, pp. 1-116.Google Scholar
RAJ, A.B.M. and O'CALLAGHAN, M. (2001) Evaluation of a pneumatically operated captive bolt for stunning/killing broiler chickens. British Poultry Science 42: 295-299.Google Scholar
RAJ, A.B.M., SANDILANDS, V. and SPARKS, N.H.C. (2006) Review of gaseous methods of killing poultry on-farm for disease control purposes. Veterinary Record 159: 229-235.Google Scholar
ROMER, A.S. and PARSONS, T.S. (1977) The Vertebrate Body. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. pp.330-334.Google Scholar
RSPCA (2008a) RSPCA Standards for Broiler Chickens. RSPCA February 2008.Google Scholar
RSPCA (2008b) RSPCA Standards for Laying Hens and Pullets. RSPCA March 2008.Google Scholar
RSPCA (2009) RSPCA Standards for Ducks. RSPCA April 2009.Google Scholar
RSPCA (2010) RSPCA Standards for Turkeys. RSPCA March 2010.Google Scholar
SHAW, N.A. (2002) The neurophysiology of concussion. Progress in Neurobiology 67: 281-344.Google Scholar
UFAW (2010) The UFAW Handbook on the care and management of laboratory and other research animals - 8th Edition 2010. KIRKWOOD, J. & HUBRECHT, R. (Eds). (pp. 648. Ch 41 The Domestic Fowl).Google Scholar
WETA (2011) Concussion / Mild TBI. What exactly is a concussion? www.brainline.org/landing_pages/categories/concussion.html?gclid=CIfXqrOewacCFRRC4Qod8Cn__Q. Accessed 02 March 2011.Google Scholar