The stunning and slaughter of poultry is a critical welfare event affecting billions of birds annually, with significant variation in welfare outcomes between systems based on technology, management and inspection.
Poultry slaughter welfare begins long before the stun box with catching, transport and lairage all contributing to cumulative stress. Water bath electrical systems require conscious birds to be shackled upside down before stunning, causing significant distress. Controlled atmosphere systems allow birds to remain on trays, significantly reducing pre-slaughter handling stress.