Farm

Broiler Chicken CO2 Stunning Debate and Welfare

Carbon dioxide stunning of broilers is widely used but causes aversion and distress before loss of consciousness, prompting ongoing debate about alternative stunning methods.

Key Facts

Broilers currently experience inversion and shackling before CO2 stunning in most UK slaughter plants
CO2 at high concentrations is aversive and causes distress before unconsciousness in birds
Controlled atmosphere stunning using inert gases is significantly less aversive
The UK Farm Animal Welfare Committee has recommended phasing out CO2 stunning for poultry

Welfare Considerations

The pre-stunning experience for broilers involves multiple welfare insults: inversion stress, shackling pain, and CO2 aversion before loss of consciousness. Transitioning to low-atmosphere pressure stunning or inert gas stunning eliminates these welfare harms. Economic barriers to transition need policy support.

What You Can Do

Advocate for phased replacement of CO2 stunning with inert gas methods
Support supermarket supply chain requirements for higher-welfare slaughter methods
Engage with chicken welfare campaigns that address slaughter welfare alongside farming welfare