Death and prolonged survival in nonstunned poultry: A case study

EC Regulation 1099/2009, On the Protection of Animals at Killing Regulations (PATOK), requires the severance of “the 2 carotid arteries” to ensure each animal dies rapidly (Annex 3, 3.2.). This requirement applies to stunned, nonstunned, manual, and automated methods of killing. I observed the severance of carotid arteries in nonstunned, religious slaughter in a study of 250 nonstunned chickens. The birds were checked for aversive/anger-type behaviors at 10 and 30 seconds and for the absence of corneal reflexes at 60 seconds after incision.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Research Source Type: research