Poultry Slaughter Welfare and Controlled Atmosphere Killing

Controlled atmosphere killing using inert gas mixtures or CO2 is a higher-welfare alternative to electrical water bath stunning that eliminates pre-stun handling stress.

Key Facts

Controlled atmosphere killing exposes birds to modified gas mixtures while still in transport containers
Inert gas mixtures including argon or nitrogen cause rapid insensibility without the aversion of high CO2
Water bath electrical stunning requires live shackling and inversion of conscious birds
CAK eliminates the pre-stun handling stress that is a major welfare concern in conventional stunning
Some major food companies including McDonald Denmark have committed to CAK in their supply chains

Welfare Considerations

Controlled atmosphere killing represents a significant welfare improvement over conventional water bath stunning by eliminating the shackling and inversion of fully conscious birds. The transition requires capital investment in equipment but is technically straightforward. Corporate commitments to CAK in supply chains signal that consumer and retailer pressure can drive adoption of higher-welfare slaughter methods in poultry.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for mandatory CAK adoption in poultry slaughter facilities
Choose chicken and turkey from producers committed to controlled atmosphere killing
Advocate for legislative requirements for higher-welfare stunning in poultry slaughter
Commend food companies that have made and implemented CAK commitments
Reduce poultry consumption to lower demand for intensive systems with conventional slaughter methods