Farm Animal Welfare

Chicken Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

Controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) represents an advance over electrical waterbath stunning for poultry welfare at slaughter.

Key Facts

CAS using inert gas (argon or nitrogen) renders birds unconscious before shackling
Electrical waterbath stunning requires live shackling which causes significant fear and pain
CAS eliminates the terrifying inversion and waterbath experience for conscious birds
Some CAS systems using high CO2 cause aversion and distress before unconsciousness
Low-oxygen, inert gas CAS systems are considered the most welfare-positive option

Welfare Considerations

The method of stunning at slaughter is one of the most impactful welfare decisions in the poultry supply chain. Transitioning from waterbath to inert gas CAS systems eliminates the terrifying conscious shackling and waterbath experience for billions of birds each year.

What You Can Do

Support poultry producers and retailers committed to CAS slaughter systems
Advocate for CAS as a minimum standard in poultry welfare legislation
Choose poultry products from suppliers using the highest welfare stunning methods