Poultry Stunning Methods and Slaughter Welfare

The method used to stun poultry before slaughter determines the welfare of billions of animals at the end of their lives, with significant variation in efficacy and animal experience.

Key Facts

Electrical water bath stunning is the most common poultry slaughter method globally
Controlled atmosphere killing using inert gases is considered the most welfare-positive commercial method
Inadequate electrical stunning results in birds entering the slaughter process conscious
European regulations require pre-stun checks but enforcement varies significantly across facilities
Some religious slaughter exemptions allow killing without prior stunning in several countries

Welfare Considerations

The welfare at slaughter affects every chicken, turkey, and duck killed for food - billions of animals annually. Electrical water bath stunning, while effective when correctly calibrated, fails to stun some birds that miss the bath or receive inadequate current. Controlled atmosphere killing, which gradually incapacitates birds before any handling for slaughter, avoids the welfare harms of live shackling and provides a more reliable welfare outcome. The investment in better slaughter technology represents a welfare improvement at enormous scale.

What You Can Do

Choose poultry products from producers using controlled atmosphere or other high-welfare stunning methods
Advocate for controlled atmosphere killing to replace water bath stunning in national regulations
Support RSPCA Assured and other certifications that include slaughter method requirements
Reduce poultry consumption to lower the aggregate scale of slaughter welfare impact
Learn about stunning methods to engage in evidence-based conversations about slaughter welfare