Stunning

Question 1

What is simple stunning?

Answer 1

Intentionally induced process which causes loss of consciousness and sensibility without pain
Should be maintained until death of animal
DOES NOT RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DEATH OF ANIMAL
Should be immediately followed by bleeding, pithing, electrocution or prolonged anoxia

Question 2

What are the aims of stunning?

Answer 2

Kill/slaughter humanely
Obtain maximum amount of blood from the animal
Health and Safety

Question 3

When is stunning not required?

Answer 3

Religious slaughter

Question 4

What is pithing and when is it used?

Answer 4

Technique to kill an animal after captive bolt
Metal or plastic rod inserted into brain
Only in fallen stock - animal is not going to human consumption

Question 5

What are the main methods of stunning

Answer 5

Captive bolt
Electronarcosis
Gas stunning

Question 6

What is captive bolt stunning?

Answer 6

Device used for stunning animals prior to slaughter, retractable metal bolt penetrates skull
Renders animal unconscious
Requires formal training and OV supervision

Question 7

What are the signs of effective captive bolt stunning?

Answer 7

Collapse
No rhythmic breathing
Find glazed expression
No corneal reflex
Relaxed jaw
Tongue hanging out

Tonic phase (10-20 secs)
Animal collapses
Stops breathing
Becomes rigid
Head extended/hind legs flexed
Forelegs gradually straighten out
Clonic phase
Involuntary kicking

Question 8

What is electronarcosis?

Answer 8

Unconsciousness induced by passing an electric current through the brain
Head only - fully reversible
Head to body - cardiac arrest (non-reversible)
Low voltage systems (7secs)
High voltage systems (3secs)

Question 9

What are the signs of effective electronarcosis stunning?

Answer 9

Epileptic fit - unconscious and insensible to pain
TONIC
Rigid
Breathing stops
Head raised
Hind legs flexed
CLONIC
Gradual relaxation
Walking/padding movements
Downward rotation of eyes
Foaming/urination

No tonic=no stun

Question 10

What are the methods of gas stunning?

Answer 10

CO2 at high conc.
○ Minimum 80% conc
○ Leads to anoxia
○ CO2 must be >80%
○ Must reach maximum conc. in <30 secs
CO2 with inert gases
○ Directly or progressively exposed
○ CO2 must be <40%
○ Must lead to anoxia
Inert gas mixture
○ Directly or progressively exposed
○ Argon or nitrogen
○Must lead to anoxia

Leads to death of animal (not simple stunning)

Question 11

What are the signs of an effective gas stun?

Answer 11

Recumbent animal - limbs, jaw relaxed
No voluntary movements or righting reflexes
No response to pin prick on nose
Absence of normal breathing
NO TONIC/CLONIC PHASE

Question 12

What is the captive bolt technique in Cattle?

Answer 12

.22 caliber round
Imaginary lines from base of horn to opposite eye (forms X above eyes)
Animal will immediately drop - allow space for this
Follow by pithing or bleeding
Pithing - aim slightly caudal, 5-6 rhythmic movements, lock in with barbs

Question 13

What is the captive bolt technique in Sheep?

Answer 13

Poled animals (non-horned)
○ .22 caliber round
○ Directly on top of head (vertical)
○ Follow by pithing or bleeding
Horned animals
○ .22 caliber round
○ slightly caudal and aim cranially
○ Follow by pithing or bleeding
Pithing - aim cranially, 5-6 rhythmic movements, lock in with barbs, make a bit of a kink

Question 14

What is the captive bolt technique in Pigs?

Answer 14

Thickened ridge of bone on top of head
Gain access to brain cavity - transverse section
Point of entry - just above eyes
○ Midline sagittal secion
Follow by pithing cane down vertebral canal
○ 5-6 rhythmic movements
Lock in with barbs