Farm Animals

Poultry Welfare: Pre-Slaughter Electrical Stunning

Electrical stunning of poultry before slaughter is the most common method used globally, with welfare quality varying significantly by system and practice.

Key Facts

Water bath electrical stunning requires birds to be shackled upside-down before stunning, causing significant stress
Correctly applied electrical stunning renders birds insensible within 1 second
Current and frequency parameters are critical to ensure effective stunning with minimal pain
Head-only electrical stunning is an alternative that avoids cardiac arrest while maintaining insensibility

Welfare Considerations

Electrical stunning quality is a critical welfare factor at slaughter. Poorly calibrated systems may fail to render birds insensible, causing pain during shackling and cutting. Regular verification of stunning effectiveness and appropriate current settings are essential welfare safeguards.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare organisations advocating for improved stunning standards
Advocate for mandatory stunning effectiveness verification in slaughter welfare regulations
Engage with research on improved electrical stunning systems that minimise pre-stun stress