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Constant Current Electronarcosis of Market Weight Turkeys

Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0418; Phone: (703) 231-8142; FAX: (703) 231-9293

John Marcy

Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

Michael Hulet

Department of Poultry Science, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16003

Correspondence: Dafne Rawles

Using a prototype constant current device designed and produced by the Department of Electrical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 260 male and 260 female turkeys were electrically stunned with either 10, 30, or 50 mA/bird. Age controlled weight, and three weight classes were used as treatment levels in turkey hens were grown for 84, 98, or 112 days, and toms grown for 112, 126, or 140 days. Feed and water withdrawal was used in levels of 3, 5, and 8 hr for each weight class and sex. Researchers determined the effect that sex, weight, age, and feed and water withdrawal had on stunning efficiency, recovery time, blood splatter, and bone breakage. Constant current application for seven seconds at 400 Hz or 50 mA/bird was sufficient to achieve stunning. A gender difference in resistance (P. 0001), recovery time, and incidence of carcass defects occurred.

Key Words: Constant current • stunning • turkeys