Stun-to-cut time

Once confirmed unconscious, birds must have their necks cut immediately and, at the latest, within 15 seconds of stunning at 50 Hz and within 10 seconds of stunning at higher frequencies. If the primary means of neck cutting is manual, every slaughterperson must be positioned within 10 – 15 seconds of the exit from the electrified water (the actual distance will vary with the line speed), including the last slaughterperson in the team.

The line speed must allow employees to work at a pace that ensures a high quality of neck cut. If slaughter personnel cannot routinely sever both carotid arteries and both jugular veins, then there must be a re-evaluation of the system, including whether the line speed is too fast for the number of operators working at this point or if staff need re-training.

If the primary means of neck cutting is an ANC, it must be capable of keeping up with the line speed, so birds are cut as quickly as possible and do not build-up at the entrance to the ANC, and/or bypass it. There must be a manual slaughterperson positioned immediately after the ANC, to cut any stunned birds that either completely miss the ANC or receive an insufficient cut from it. The ANC and the slaughterperson must both be able to perform their cuts within 10 – 15 seconds of the birds exiting the electrified water.

Delayed and/or inadequate neck cutting can cause a slow rate of bleeding and retention of blood in engorged vessels in the wing, breast and thigh muscles, which further processing (eg plucking) may worsen by rupturing those vessels and massaging the blood into the surrounding tissue, creating red wing tips for example. It is therefore important for abattoirs to perform comprehensive neck cuts and to maximise the bleed-out time before further processing.

Next: Monitoring birds as they bleed-out