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News
20 DECEMBER 2006
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE HUMANE
SLAUGHTER OF POULTRY ON-FARM
A statement from the Humane Slaughter Association
The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) frequently receives enquiries
from small producers and others who keep small numbers of birds, about
humane slaughter methods and equipment available for emergency
slaughter. There are a number of pieces of equipment available for
on-farm slaughter of poultry. However, the HSA would urge smallholders
to be aware that not all are humane.
To optimise welfare, the aim of the slaughter method should be to render
the bird immediately unconscious and to quickly induce death thereafter,
ie before recovery of consciousness. Some common methods used for
on-farm slaughter include electrical stunning, concussion stunning or
dislocation of the neck.
Depending on the equipment, if sufficient force is applied, the
concussive method can kill the bird outright. The Cash Poultry Killer is
a mechanical device specifically developed to produce a concussive blow
and cause the death of the bird. However, under current legislation, it
must be followed by neck cutting or neck dislocation if used for
‘commercial’ slaughter (meat is to be sold) or non-emergency culling.
Where specialised equipment designed for this purpose is not used,
concussion stunning cannot be recommended on welfare grounds, as it is
not easy to ensure an effective manual blow to the skull. If not applied
accurately and with sufficient force, it will cause extreme distress and
suffering.
Hand-held electrical stunning is a common method used for commercial
on-farm slaughter of poultry. When applied correctly the stun will
render the bird immediately unconscious but it must be immediately
followed by a killing method such as bleeding to ensure the bird dies
through loss of blood before it recovers from the stun. Hand-held
electrical stunning is currently the most suitable method for the
slaughter of poultry on-farm for commercial purposes.
Neck dislocation without prior stunning is a legal killing method if it
induces immediately unconsciousness without pain or suffering. In
practice this is very difficult to achieve and therefore use of this
method alone is not recommended for routine slaughter. It should only be
used in an emergency or for very small numbers of birds where better
methods are not available.
Equipment designed to kill the bird by crushing the neck, eg pliers, can
take up to ten minutes to cause death even if used correctly and is not
recommended on welfare grounds. Similarly, decapitation without prior
stunning is legal but is not recommended as brain activity may continue
for up to 30 seconds and it is doubtful that the bird is rendered
immediately unconscious.
Legal requirements, including the necessity for a poultry slaughter
licence, vary depending on the reasons for slaughter, eg whether it is
emergency slaughter, commercial slaughter (where the meat is for sale)
or slaughter for own consumption. Whatever method and equipment is
chosen the user should ensure they have the appropriate skills and
training. As an independent charity, the HSA periodically offers one-day
courses that provide eligibility for a poultry slaughter licence. A
comprehensive, practical guide on all aspects of slaughter for the small
producer is also available.
For full details, or to register your interest in a course, contact the
HSA on 01582 831919 or email
info@hsa.org.uk or visit
www.hsa.org.uk.
NEWS ARCHIVE
21 NOV 06 :
NEW
ANIMAL TRANSPORT REGULATIONS IN 2007
21 JUL 06 :
PROTECT TURKEYS IN A HEATWAVE
10 APR 06 :
AVIAN INFLUENZA CONCERN AND THE CARE OF TURKEYS
06 APR 06 :
AVIAN INFLUENZA IN
SCOTLAND
10 FEB 06 :
GREAT BRITAIN
POULTRY REGISTER
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