Pre-slaughter stunning to induce unconsciousness before killing is the most important welfare intervention in the poultry slaughter process, yet gaps in application remain.
Pre-slaughter stunning is the critical welfare intervention at the end of poultry production, intended to render birds unconscious before killing and prevent recovery of consciousness during exsanguination. The welfare quality of stunning depends on system design, maintenance, and monitoring. Water bath systems can leave gaps where inadequately stunned birds regain consciousness. Controlled atmosphere systems that expose birds to high concentrations of gas before stunning offer more consistent unconsciousness but require significant capital investment. Ensuring effective stunning is the most direct welfare improvement available in the final stage of commercial poultry production.