Electrical Stunning Equipment

Electrical stunners for use on-farm are generally hand-held, with paired electrodes for placing across the bird's head. The equipment operates from mains electricity via a step-down transformer. The handset is manually operated, with adjustable electrodes to accommodate the heads of different sized birds. Always select electrodes that offer a large contact area with the bird’s head. The electrodes must be placed correctly, on each side of the bird’s head, across the brain. When switched on, the flow of electricity between the electrodes causes immediate unconsciousness. 

The level of current must be sufficient to cause an effective stun. Recommended levels are:

• Small birds (e.g. chickens): 300-400mA
• Large birds (e.g. turkeys): 400mA

The following provisions of Schedule 2 of WATOK (England) provide clarification about the correct methods of stunning and bleeding to be used for poultry slaughter.

Schedule 2, Part 5, paragraph 37(1) states that no person may use electrodes to stun an animal unless:

(a) appropriate measures are taken to ensure that there is good electrical contact; and

(b) the strength and duration of the current used is such that the animal is immediately rendered unconscious and remains so until it is dead.

Paragraph 37 (2) No person may use electrodes to stun an animal individually unless the apparatus:

(a) incorporates an audible or visible device indicating the length of time of its application to an animal; and

(b) is connected to a device indicating the voltage and the current under load, positioned so as to be clearly visible to the operator.

Current flow is reduced by poor contact between the electrodes and the head, which can be made worse by dirt on the electrodes or the bird. Poor current flow can result in an ineffective stun and considerable suffering to the bird. Contact resistance must therefore be kept to a minimum. Pre-wetting the bird’s head (using a wet sponge) can improve the electrical contact. Current flow can be particularly poor for ducks, geese and turkeys and so the use of concussion stunning equipment is preferable for these species.

For a bird to be effectively stunned you must:

Next: Maintenance Of Electrical Stunning Equipment