Poultry Slaughter and Carcase Dressing

Question 1

Describe the flow diagram of the process from lairage to chilling of poultry at the abattoir (remember post mortem steps)

Answer 1

Lairage
Shackling - tend to try do this after stunning
Stunning
Bleeding
Scalding
Defeathering
Post Mortem whole bird
Hock cutting
Evisceration
Post Mortem of the offal
Washing
Chilling

Question 2

Name 4 things that an Animal Welfare Officer has to identify

Answer 2

Animals that require to be slaughtered first (prioritising)
Any welfare needs
Measures to be taken to insure animal welfare
Keeping records of actions taken to improve welfare

Question 3

How long should the unconsciousness from stunning last

Answer 3

Longer than the time taken to perform neck cut and allow brain death to occur from blood loss
<15secs generally

Question 4

Name the 3 common stunning methods used for poultry and identify if they are recoverable or not

Answer 4

Electrical - recoverable
Controlled atmosphere (gas) - non-recoverable
Low atmospheric stunning (LAPS) - non-recoverable

Question 5

How do they perform electrical stunning in poultry

Answer 5

Water bath supplied with a voltage sufficient to ensure every bird gets the minimum recommended current

Question 6

What are the 3 requirements of a water bath used for electrical stunning birds

Answer 6

The electrode must extend the entire length of the bath
Birds head must be completely immersed
Water should not overflow the entrance to the bath

Question 7

Signs of an effective electrical stun

Answer 7

Loss of blink (nictitating) reflex
No rhythmic breathing
Constant rapid body tremors
Wings held tightly against the body

Question 8

List the problems with electric stunning of birds

Answer 8

Requires shackling of live, conscious birds
Some birds not or inadequately stunned
Possible electro immobilisation - not properly stunned, just paralysed

Question 9

What are the 4 methods for controlled atmosphere stunning

Answer 9

Anoxia - 100% argon or nitrogen
Hypercapnic hypoxia - high CO2, low oxygen
Hypercapnic anoxia - High CO2, no oxygen
2 phase - anaesthetic and euthanasia phases

Question 10

List the benefits of controlled atmosphere stunning

Answer 10

Eliminates live shackling - shackled post stun
All birds stunned
Improved working conditions at shackling point
Improved meat quality

Question 11

List problems with controlled atmosphere stunning

Answer 11

Initial aversion (pain/unpleasantness)
Respiratory effects
Behavioural effects
Hard to identify DOAs
Ducks - can hold their breath for a very long time