Poultry Slaughter Welfare: Stunning and Monitoring Standards

Overview of poultry slaughter welfare, including stunning methods and monitoring standards.

Key Facts

Controlled atmosphere killing (CAS) with inert gas is considered the most humane poultry slaughter method
Water bath electrical stunning is widely used but has welfare limitations
Shackling live birds causes pain and stress before stunning
Post-stunning checks are essential to verify effective unconsciousness
CCTV monitoring in slaughterhouses is improving compliance and providing welfare data

Welfare Considerations

Poultry slaughter welfare has improved through adoption of better stunning systems and monitoring, but significant welfare gaps remain. Water bath electrical stunning causes pain during shackling and has limitations in depth of unconsciousness. Controlled atmosphere systems avoid shackling trauma and offer better welfare outcomes. CCTV monitoring is an important accountability tool. Consumer and retailer pressure for higher-welfare slaughter standards is driving investment in better systems.

What You Can Do

Support organisations campaigning for mandatory CAS stunning for poultry
Advocate for CCTV monitoring in all slaughterhouses as a welfare accountability tool
Choose poultry products from certified higher-welfare slaughter sources