Slaughter and Carcass Dressing Flashcards
Name all the steps that a beef carcase will go through during slaughter?
- Antemortem
- Stunning
- Shackling
- Bleeding
- Head and hide removal
- Evisceration
- Splitting
- Removal of the spinal cord and trimming
- Marking
- Washing
- Chilling
State all the steps a lamb carcase will go though
- Antemortem
- Stunning
- Shackling
- Bleeding
- Hide removal
- Evisceration
- Splitting
- Trimming
- Marking
- Washing
- Chilling
Name all the steps a pig carcase will go through
- Antemortem
- Stunning
- Shackling
- Bleeding
- Scalding
- Dehairing
- Singing
- Polishing
- Evisceration
- Splitting
- Marking
- Washing
- Chilling
People how handle the animal after bleeding, what type of training do they need?
The animal is considered dead so they need food hygiene training rather than welfare training
What are the types of captive bolt and when are they used?
Penetrative captive bolt - the norm
Non-penetrative captive bolt - small ruminants under 10kg
What size blank cartridge is used in a captive bolt?
.22 or .25
What are the landmarks for captive bolting a cow?
Canthus of the eye and the horns make a cross and go 90’ to the skull at that point- towards the spine
What are the phases of stunning?
Tonic phase (10-20s) - Ridgidity
Clonic Phase- Involuntary kicking
Relaxation - Paddling movement
How long should electric stunning be applied?
Low voltage = 7s
High voltage = 3s
Which is better, applying electric stun current to the head only or head and body?
Head only can be reversible but head and body causes cardiac arrest which is irreversible
What is the minimum current required for electric stunning of cattle younger than 6m?
and over 6m?
Under 6m - 1.25A
Over 6m - 1.28A
What is the minimum current required for electric stunning of sheep?
1.0A
What is the minimum electric current required for stunning of pigs?
1.3A
Stun to stick time should be no more than ….
15s
What gasses can be used to stun animals?
Carbon dioxide at high concentrations
Carbon dioxide mixed with inert gasses
Inert Gasses
What is the minimum carbon dioxide conc fro high CO2 stunning?
Minimum of 80% and the pig must be at over 80% conc within 30s of entering the stunner
What is the maximum amount of carbon dioxide that an animal must be exposed to for stunning with CO2 and inert gasses?
40% is the max
What gasses can be used for inert gas stunning?
Argon or nitrogen
What are the advantages of gas stunning?
No excitement
Animals are completely relaxed - better bleeding
Non-invasive
Reduced pale soft exudate
What are the disadvantages of gas stunning?
Very expensive
Acidic gas is pungent to inhale at over 40%
Not instant
Where should the blood supply be cut and in what stage of stunning?
Carotids and jugular should be cut during tonic phase
How long do you you need to wait after cutting to allow for death?
Cows- 30s
Sheep 20s
What factors will affect the bleeding?
Heath of the animal Muscle tone (rest and stress) Back bleeding into the thoracic cavity Blood splashing = capillary rupture
Which way up should the animal be hung?
Front legs up as when you decide this is more bacterially secure
What is singing pigs for?
To remove the remaining hair on the surface of the carcase. At 1000’C
What are the advantages and disadvatages of polishing pig carcases?
A: Improves quality, Eliminates burned hair and superficial epidermis
D: Excessive force could produce damage, increases contamination
What information is on the EU health mark?
Top: Country
Middle: Producer number
Bottom: European community
