Blow to the head

In an emergency situation infant lambs, kids and piglets (up to 5 kg) can be humanely killed by delivering a heavy blow to the head (only 70 animals per person per day). This must only be used if no other method is available.

There are two variations of this method:

• Hold the animal by the back legs and deliver a firm blow to the back of the head with a blunt instrument, e.g. an iron bar or hammer.
• Hold the animal by the back legs and swing it through an arc to hit the back of its head with considerable force against a solid object, e.g. a brick wall or metal stanchion.

With both methods it is essential that the blow is delivered swiftly, firmly and with absolute determination. If there is any doubt that the animal has not been killed effectively, the blow should be immediately repeated.

Death should be ensured by bleeding the animal by cutting the throat from ear to ear to sever both carotid arteries and both jugular veins. However, as mentioned previously, bleeding should only be performed during a disease outbreak when absolutely necessary. An alternative method is to insert the knife into the base of the neck towards the entrance of the chest to sever all the major blood vessels where they emerge from the heart. More information: Bleeding.

Considerations when using blow to the head during depopulation due to disease control

As this method should only be used as a last resort it is not appropriate for the advantages to be listed.  

There are a number of disadvantages which should be considered fully before resorting to this method. There is great risk of human error and inconsistency when delivering a blow to an animal’s head manually. Although the number of animals is capped at 70 per day it is still very likely the person performing the method will fatigue before this number is reached. This raises the possibility of misplaced strikes and insufficient power.  The force applied to the back of the head may cause bodily fluids i.e. blood to enter the environment, and the subsequent “bleeding” presents a possible biohazard if the animals are infected with disease. This method can only be performed on animals which are not currently infected with disease.

Conclusion – species and situations

If no other methods are available delivering a blow to the head can be used with small numbers of neonatal lambs, kids and piglets which weigh less than 5 kg. Under 1099/2009 personnel are limited to 70 animals per day. Due to the high risk of human error which could cause suffering to the animal this method should only be used as a last resort.

Next: Methods suited for young animals (neonatal lambs, calves and piglets) - Captive-bolt followed by pithing or bleeding for neonates