Gas stunning and alternative slaughter methods for poultry are subject to ongoing welfare debate, with the goal of achieving rapid, effective unconsciousness with minimal distress.
The welfare of billions of poultry at slaughter is determined by the choice of stunning method, equipment calibration, and operator training. No current method is perfect, but some are clearly better than others. Consumers, retailers, and regulators have leverage to push the industry toward the most welfare-positive available methods.