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Beausoleil NJ, Farouk MM, Webster J, Johnson CB, Dowling S, Sazili AQ, Cameron C. Comparison of recovery of sheep, goats, and calves from reversible electrical head-only and head-to-body stunning for halal meat production. N Z Vet J 2024; 72:288-299. [PMID: 38946044 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2024.2367532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To compare the recovery of lambs, goats, and calves from head-only (HO) or high-frequency head-to-body stunning and evaluate the complementary use of behaviour and electroencephalography (EEG) to assess return to consciousness after electrical stunning in these species. METHODS Six-month-old lambs, adult goats and calves (< 7 days old) were subjected to reversible head-only stunning (50 Hz, 1 A, 2 seconds) or reversible high-frequency head-to-body stunning (RHTB: HO followed by 2,000 Hz, 2 A, 4-second stun to body). Following stunning, behavioural recovery was assessed in 21 lambs, 22 goats, and 20 calves. Latencies to first perform behaviours (end of convulsions, head lift, attempt to right, successful righting, attempt to stand, successful standing) after stunning were scored from video recordings. Recovery of electrical brain activity indicative of consciousness was assessed using EEG in a separate cohort of minimally-anaesthetised lambs, goats and calves (n = 20 per species). EEG traces collected before and after stunning were classified as normal, epileptiform, isoelectric, or transitional activity. Following stunning, the duration of epileptiform and isoelectric activity combined (states of brain activity incompatible with conscious awareness) was calculated, as was latency to return of normal (pre-stun) EEG. RESULTS The RHTB stun was reversible in all three species, although one sheep failed to recover and was euthanised. Both methods caused tonic and clonic convulsions in all species. Behavioural recovery of sheep and calves was similar for both methods while goats took longer to recover from RHTB than HO stunning. There was no evidence of differences between methods in the duration of EEG incompatible with consciousness or the latency to recovery of normal EEG. CONCLUSIONS Head-to-body stunning as applied here produced a reversible electrical stun in lambs, adult goats and young calves, although the benefits in terms of meat quality and operator safety are uncertain. Goats took longer to recover behaviourally from head-to-body stunning, possibly due to disrupted motor function, but there was no indication that post-stun unconsciousness lasted longer than following head-only stunning in any species. The normal behaviour for the animals' developmental age should be considered when deciding on behavioural indicators of recovery. The minimal anaesthesia model provided excellent quality EEG data that was valuable for interpretation of the behavioural responses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE For the purposes of pre-slaughter stunning of sheep, goats and young calves, recovery appears comparable between the two methods, with all but 1/63 animals in the behaviour study recovering normal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Beausoleil
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - M M Farouk
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - J Webster
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - C B Johnson
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - S Dowling
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - A Q Sazili
- Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - C Cameron
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Raj M, Candiani D, Van der Stede Y, Michel V. Welfare of sheep and goats during killing for purposes other than slaughter. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8835. [PMID: 38933535 PMCID: PMC11200094 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sheep and goats of different ages may have to be killed on-farm for purposes other than slaughter (where slaughter is defined as killing for human consumption) either individually (i.e. on-farm killing of unproductive, injured or terminally ill animals) or on a large scale (i.e. depopulation for disease control purposes and for other situations, such as environmental contamination and disaster management) outside the slaughterhouses. The purpose of this opinion was to assess the hazards and welfare consequences associated with the on-farm killing of sheep and goats. The whole killing procedure was divided into Phase 1 (pre-killing) - that included the processes (i) handling and moving the animals to the killing place and (ii) restraint of the animals before application of the killing methods and Phase 2 - that included stunning and killing of the animals. The killing methods for sheep and goats were grouped into three categories: (1) mechanical, (2) electrical and (3) lethal injection. Welfare consequences that sheep and goats may experience during each process were identified (e.g. handling stress, restriction of movements and tissue lesions during restraint) and animal-based measures (ABMs) to assess them were proposed. During application of the killing method, sheep and goats will experience pain and fear if they are ineffectively stunned or if they recover consciousness. ABMs related to the state of consciousness can be used to indirectly assess pain and fear. Flowcharts including ABMs for consciousness specific to each killing method were included in the opinion. Possible welfare hazards were identified for each process, together with their origin and related preventive and corrective measures. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, ABMs, origins, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences were proposed.
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Comin M, Barbieri S, Minero M, Dalla Costa E. The Feasibility of Animal-Based Indicators of Consciousness and Unconsciousness for Stunning in Sheep: A Systematic Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081395. [PMID: 37106956 PMCID: PMC10134993 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to EU legislation, animal-based indicators (ABMs) are used to evaluate the efficacy of stunning methods to ensure that animals do not regain consciousness. EFSA has provided a list of ABMs for electrical and mechanical stunning in sheep; however, there is still a lack of information on their feasibility. We aimed to identify and evaluate the feasibility constraints of ABMs commonly applied in slaughterhouses to assess proper stunning in sheep. METHOD For this systematic review, we searched the Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2000 to 8 August 2022, including full peer-reviewed papers written in English on the welfare of sheep at the stunning and restraint phases. We excluded studies using a gas stunning method or without prior stunning, as well as manuscripts in which indicators were applied after sticking. RESULTS Of 1289 records identified, only 8 papers were eligible for the critical evaluation of physical aspects that affect the feasibility of ABMs. These aspects were defined as a given definition of the feasibility of ABMs, and information was summarized and critically evaluated. The results highlighted a lack of information on the feasibility of ABMs which should be considered in the various conditions of commercial slaughterhouses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Comin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Sara Barbieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Michela Minero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Emanuela Dalla Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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Electroencephalogram and Physiological Responses as Affected by Slaughter Empathy in Goats. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061100. [PMID: 36978640 PMCID: PMC10044356 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in emotions and cognitive science make it imperative to assess the emotional stress in goats at the time of slaughter. The present study was envisaged to study the electroencephalogram and physiological responses as affected by slaughter empathy in goats. A total of 12 goats were divided into two groups viz., E-group (goats exposed to slaughter environment, n = 6) and S-group (goat slaughtered in front of E-group, n = 6). The electroencephalogram and physiological responses in male Boer cross goats (E-group) were recorded in a slaughterhouse in two stages viz., control (C) without exposure to the slaughter of conspecifics and treatment (T) while visualizing the slaughter of conspecifics (S—slaughter group). The exposure of the goat to the slaughter of a conspecific resulted in a heightened emotional state. It caused significant alterations in neurobiological activity as recorded with the significant changes in the EEG spectrum (beta waves (p = 0.000491), theta waves (p = 0.017), and median frequency MF or F50 (p = 0.002)). Emotional stress was also observed to significantly increase blood glucose (p = 0.031) and a non-significant (p = 0.225) increase in heart rate in goats. Thus, slaughter empathy was observed to exert a significant effect on the electric activity of neurons in the cerebrocortical area of the brain and an increase in blood glucose content.
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Li W, Yan C, Descovich K, Phillips CJC, Chen Y, Huang H, Wu X, Liu J, Chen S, Zhao X. The Effects of Preslaughter Electrical Stunning on Serum Cortisol and Meat Quality Parameters of a Slow-Growing Chinese Chicken Breed. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2866. [PMID: 36290252 PMCID: PMC9598214 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical stunning is widely utilized prior to a neck cut to induce unconsciousness in order to improve animal welfare and slaughter efficiency in the broiler production industry. However, slaughter without stunning is still very commonly used in China, in part because there is a belief that stunning reduces meat quality. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the physical (hemorrhages, pH, drip loss, and shear force) and chemical (inosinic monophosphate concentration and reducing sugar content) properties of broiler meat differed between chickens in preslaughter stunning and nonstunned slaughter groups, and whether the groups differed in their levels of cortisol as an indicator of stress. Serum cortisol levels of the nonstunned group were nearly twice as high as those in the stunned group (p < 0.05). Several meat quality indicators were better in the stunned group than in the nonstunned group. We concluded that electrical stunning prior to slaughter significantly decreases the stress caused by slaughter, resulting in both improved animal welfare and meat quality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenpeng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chao Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Kris Descovich
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Clive J. C. Phillips
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Yongyou Chen
- Nayong County Agriculture and Rural Bureau, Bijie 553300, China
| | - Huijing Huang
- Nayong County Agriculture and Rural Bureau, Bijie 553300, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Nayong County Agriculture and Rural Bureau, Bijie 553300, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Nayong County Agriculture and Rural Bureau, Bijie 553300, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Xingbo Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Joazeiro de Almeida GH, Komiyama CM, Castilho VAR, Garcia RG, Burbarelli MFC, Souza JR, Porifio EF, de Souza Eberhart B. ELECTRONARCOSIS PROTOCOLS IN BROILER CHICKENS FOR THE HALAL MARKET. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2021-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study considered the parameters of the Halal market to evaluate different protocols for broiler electronarcosis regarding time to return of consciousness, bleeding efficiency, and carcass and meat quality. Was performed an experiment in a broiler slaughterhouse. One hundred and eighty-four 43 days old male broilers of the Cobb® strain were used. The experimental design used was completely randomized with 46 broilers for each protocol. The protocols used: 80 v and 600 Hz; 50 v and 1,000 Hz; 60 v and 1,000 Hz; 70 v and 1,000 Hz. Time to return of consciousness, bleeding efficiency, bruising, presence of broken bones in pectoral muscle, and meat quality were evaluated. Birds subjected to stunning by the 50 v / 1,000 Hz protocol showed the shortest time to return of consciousness after electronarcosis, and high incidence of breast hemorrhage. Birds subjected to the 60 v / 1,000 Hz protocol had a higher percentage of broken bones in the Pectoralis minor. The 50 v and 1,000 Hz electronarcosis protocol fits better to the halal market due to the shorter time to return of consciousness and improved bleeding efficiency. This study suggests new proposals for stunning protocols to serve the halal market.
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Dalla Costa FA, Gibson TJ, Oliveira SEO, Gregory NG, Faucitano L, Dalla Costa OA. On-farm culling methods used for pigs. Anim Welf 2021. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.30.3.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The culling of injured and non-viable pigs (Sus scrofa) (neonate to breeding stock) is a routine and necessary procedure on most farms. Usually, pigs are culled using one of the following methods: blunt-force trauma (manual and mechanical), captive-bolt stunners, electrical stunning
and electrocution or carbon dioxide. Manual blunt-force trauma is one of the most widely used methods due to its low or absent operational and investment costs. However, as a method, it has serious limitations, which include the risk of incomplete concussion, pain, and distress. Manual blunt-force
trauma is also aesthetically unpleasant to operators and wider society. To address these issues there has been significant recent research into the development of alternatives to manual blunt-force trauma, these include: captive-bolt stunners, on-farm, gas-based controlled atmosphere systems,
low atmospheric pressure systems and electrical stunning. Some of these are currently in commercial use while others are still in the developmental phase. This review brings together the relevant research in this field, evaluating the methods in terms of mechanism of action (mechanical and
physiological), effectiveness and animal welfare.
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Candiani D, Rapagnà C, Van der Stede Y, Michel V. Welfare of sheep and goats at slaughter. EFSA J 2021; 19:e06882. [PMID: 34765030 PMCID: PMC8573542 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The killing of sheep and goats for human consumption (slaughtering) can take place in a slaughterhouse or on-farm. The processes of slaughtering that were assessed for welfare, from the arrival of sheep and goats until their death (including slaughtering without stunning), were grouped into three main phases: pre-stunning (including arrival, unloading from the truck, lairage, handling and moving of sheep and goats); stunning (including restraint); and bleeding. Stunning methods were grouped into two categories: mechanical and electrical. Twelve welfare consequences that sheep and goats may experience during slaughter were identified: heat stress, cold stress, fatigue, prolonged thirst, prolonged hunger, impeded movement, restriction of movements, resting problems, social stress, pain, fear and distress. These welfare consequences and their relevant animal-based measures are described in detail in this Scientific Opinion. In total, 40 welfare hazards that could occur during slaughter were identified and characterised, most of them related to stunning and bleeding. Staff were identified as the origin of 39 hazards, which were attributed to the lack of appropriate skill sets needed to perform tasks or to fatigue. Measures to prevent and correct hazards were identified, and structural and managerial measures were identified as those with a crucial role in prevention. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal-based measures, origin of hazards and preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences are proposed.
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Sabow A, Nakyinsige K, Adeyemi K, Sazili A, Johnson C, Webster J, Farouk M. High frequency pre-slaughter electrical stunning in ruminants and poultry for halal meat production: A review. Livest Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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10
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Sabow AB, Adeyemi KD, Idrus Z, Meng GY, Ab Kadir MZA, Kaka U, Aghwan ZA, Abubakar AA, Sazili AQ. Carcase characteristics and meat quality assessments in goats subjected to slaughter without stunning and slaughter following different methods of electrical stunning. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2017.1291287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Azad Behnan Sabow
- Department of Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Animal Resource, University of Salahaddin, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Kazeem Dauda Adeyemi
- Department of Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Zulkifli Idrus
- Department of Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Goh Yong Meng
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Electromagnetic and Lighting Protection Research, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ubedullah Kaka
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Obstetrics, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Zeiad Amjad Aghwan
- Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Animal Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
| | | | - Awis Qurni Sazili
- Department of Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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Dalmau A, Pallisera J, Pedernera C, Muñoz I, Carreras R, Casal N, Mainau E, Rodriguez P, Velarde A. Use of high concentrations of carbon dioxide for stunning rabbits reared for meat production. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2016.3880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
<p>Abstract: An investigation was performed to determine whether high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) at 70-98% in atmospheric air are a suitable alternative for stunning rabbits compared to conventional approaches such as electronarcosis. Aversion to the gas and efficacy in causing prolonged unconsciousness and death were studied in a total of 480 rabbits by means of behavioural parameters, physiological indicators (presence of rhythmic breathing and corneal reflex) and electroencephalography (EEG, brain function). The use of any of the 4 studied concentrations of the gas caused more nasal discomfort and vocalisations than the use of atmospheric air (P<0.001). EEG activity confirmed that loss of posture is a good indicator of the onset of unconsciousness in rabbits exposed to CO<sub>2</sub>, occurring earlier (P<0.05) at 90 and 98% than at 70 and 80%. Rabbits showed signs of aversion for 15 s before the onset of unconsciousness, which occurred around 30 s after the beginning of the exposure to the gas, similar to species such as swine in which high concentrations of CO<sub>2</sub> are also used for stunning. CO<sub>2</sub> at 80 to 98% is suggested as a reasonable concentration range to induce a long state of unconsciousness and death in rabbits, while 70% CO<sub>2</sub> is not recommended because it requires too long duration of exposure (more than 360 s) to ensure effectiveness. Despite the advantages in terms of pre-stun handling and irreversibility, CO<sub>2</sub> is not free of animal welfare concerns. In consequence, a debate is necessary to ascertain if CO<sub>2</sub> can be considered a suitable alternative to stun rabbits, considering the advantages and drawbacks cited, quantified in the present study as 15 s of aversion (nasal discomfort and vocalisations) before losing posture.</p>
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