Published: 28 May 2019 | Last Updated: 28 May 2019 15:39:42

Electrical waterbath stunning is widely used for small to mid-scale poultry stunning, with high frequency systems being used for halal production. It is widely recognized that there are serious animal welfare issues associated with waterbath systems. These include painful pre-stun electrical shocks, pain from shackling, distress from inversion, incomplete unconsciousness and short duration of induced unconsciousness.

Dr Troy Gibson and Silsoe Livestock Systems Ltd have been funded by Open Philanthropy and DEFRA to develop, evaluate and demonstrate an electrical stunning system for poultry which is industrially relevant, humane and halal compliant. This research will build on the current work being conducted by the RVC on electrical and percussive stunning methods for poultry and waterfowl.