Broiler stunning methods and their effects on welfare, rigor mortis, and meat quality

Broiler stunning is conducted to produce a rapid onset of insensibility prior to slaughter. Though most broiler plants use electrical stunning applications, gas stunning, and low-atmosphere pressure stunning are also available for commercial applications. All three of these stunning methods are able...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:World's poultry science journal 2013-03, Vol.69 (1), p.99-112
Main Authors: JOSEPH, P., SCHILLING, M.W., WILLIAMS, J.B., RADHAKRISHNAN, V., BATTULA, V., CHRISTENSEN, K., VIZZIER-THAXTON, Y., SCHMIDT, T.B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal welfare
Atmosphere
broiler stunning
Electric currents
electrical stunning
gas stunning
low-atmosphere pressure stunning
Meat
Meat quality
Methods
Poultry
rigor mortis
welfare
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Summary:Broiler stunning is conducted to produce a rapid onset of insensibility prior to slaughter. Though most broiler plants use electrical stunning applications, gas stunning, and low-atmosphere pressure stunning are also available for commercial applications. All three of these stunning methods are able to meet animal welfare requirements and produce meat with acceptable quality. However, each method differs in their mechanisms of stunning, rigor mortis patterns, and physical meat characteristics. In addition, gas stunning and low-atmosphere pressure stunning have received interest over the past decade as part of an effort to further improve animal welfare. Researchers have reported that gas and low-atmosphere pressure stunning both have potential advantages over electrical stunning with respect to broiler welfare and deboning time, which has been attributed to shackling post-stunning. This review paper will focus on these three stunning methods and their impact on animal welfare, physiology, rigor mortis patterns, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.
ISSN:0043-9339
1743-4777
DOI:10.1017/S0043933913000093