J. Appl. Poult. Res.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J APPL POULT RES 1999. 8:465-471
© 1999 Poultry Science Association
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wilkins, L. J.
Right arrow Articles by Griffiths, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Wilkins, L. J.
Right arrow Articles by Griffiths, P.

Research Reports

Constant Current Stunning Effects on Bird Welfare and Carcass Quality

L. J. Wilkins, S. B. Wotton and I. D. Parkman

School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS18 7DY, United Kingdom; Phone: (44) 0117 9289201; FAX: (44) 0117 9289324

P. J. Kettlewell and P. Griffiths

Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS, United Kingdom

Correspondence: L. J. Wilkins

The effectiveness of electrical stunning of broiler chickens, applied using a constant current control device, was assessed in terms of both the return of breathing and neck resistance and subsequent carcass quality. Effectiveness of stunning was assessed by stunning individual birds with 105 mA/bird using 50, 500, or 1500 Hz sinusoidal AC for 1 or 4 sec. Carcass quality was assessed using the same device in two semi-commercial trials where stunning was applied using 50, 500, or 1500 Hz sinusoidal AC at four preset current levels, 80, 105, 120, and 150 mA/bird, in a constant current multibird waterbath. The duration of lack of neck resistance produced by the stun, where ventricular fibrillation was not induced, was similar regardless of the waveform-frequency combination employed. Stunning current level had no effect on the incidence of hemorrhagic conditions in the processed carcasses. High frequency waveforms were associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of breast muscle hemorrhaging, which indicates that their use could have a considerable commercial advantage.

Key Words: Broilers • quality • stunning • welfare






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1999 by the Poultry Science Association.