Use Of Concussion Stunning Equipment

When operated to the manufacturer’s instructions, poultry concussion stunning equipment will produce an effective stun and cause the death of the bird. However, it is still important to cut or dislocate the neck immediately after mechanical concussion stunning.

Birds must be restrained appropriately to enable accurate positioning of the captive-bolt. The muzzle of the device should be placed on the highest point of the head, on the midline, with the captive-bolt aimed straight down. The bird’s head may be held in position by lightly holding the comb or resting the end of the beak between the tips of your fingers, in a way which allows the beak to slip out of your hold without causing injury to yourself when the stunner is fired.

Make sure to use the correct cartridge size or air pressure for the species and age of bird being killed. This information is specific to the make and modelof the equipment being used and can be found in the manufacturer's instructions.

Concussion stunning disrupts the normal co-ordination between brain activity and spinal reflexes, which results in uncontrolled body movement and wing flapping. Do not be alarmed by this involuntary movement, it is a sign of an effective stun and will continue in the unconscious bird until the spinal cord stops functioning.Make sure to use the correct cartridge size or air pressure for the species and age of bird being killed. This information is specific to the make and modelof the equipment being used and can be found in the manufacturer's instructions.

Signs Of An Effective Concussion Stun:

No rhythmic breathing (check for abdominal movements in the vent area);
Uncontrolled wing flapping;
Leg flexion and extension;
No neck tension;
No vocalisation.

Checking Unconsciousness:

It is important to check unconsciousness by the absence of a blink reflex when the cornea (the surface of the eyeball) is touched. Presence of a blink reflex must be acted upon immediately: it may not indicate full consciousness but the return of this reflex after stunning is a sign of some brain function returning and it indicates the possibility that consciousness may also be returning. Do not hesitate to repeat the stun or use an alternative method.

The correct stunning positions for each species are shown in the following images:

Chicken