Water bath stunning is the dominant method for killing broiler chickens globally, with significant welfare concerns around pre-stun shocks and stunning effectiveness.
Water bath stunning causes significant welfare concerns - the inversion and shackling process is stressful, pre-stun shocks cause pain, and inadequate stunning means birds may be killed while conscious. Controlled atmosphere stunning systems that render birds unconscious before any handling eliminate pre-stun shocks and are considered the highest welfare slaughter method.