Stunning and killing using electricity

As with mammals (described earlier) electricity can be used to stun and kill poultry. When killing large numbers of chickens during a disease outbreak, an electrical waterbath is an option for stunning and killing the birds. Alternatively, birds can be stunned individually using tongs before a killing method, such as cervical dislocation can be performed. Stunning and/or killing using electricity is possible for use with all poultry species, although the head feathers of waterfowl may result in an excessively high contact resistance and therefore the use of a non-penetrative captive-bolt or alternative stunning system are preferred for these animals. Of the common poultry species, electrical stun/killing is best suited to broiler and laying chickens.

Next: Electrical current applied to poultry through an electrical waterbath