EUTHANASIA OF POULTRY Considerations Producers, Transporters, Veterinarians
Euthanasia is a humane death that occurs with a minimum pain, fear, distress In any poultry production system, it is inevitable that some birds will become ill, debilitated, or injured. If the bird is unlikely respond favorably treatment, or if treatment is not feasible because economic or public health considerations, euthanasia may be the best option prevent the bird from suffering. In addition, healthy spent hens may be killed on-farm subsequent rendering because their low market value makes it impractical send them a processing facility. This pamphlet is designed aid producers, transporters, veterinarians in making appropriate decisions regarding euthanasia on-farm killing poultry. Decision Making Questions be considered in deciding whether a sick, debilitated or injured bird should be euthanized include: Is the bird experiencing pain or distress? Is recovery likely? Is the bird likely transmit disease other birds? Is the bird able access the feed water? Can the bird be treated? Is the bird or its eggs suitable human consumption, or will they be suitable consumption after recovery or treatment? General economic considerations may also play a role in deciding whether or not euthanize a bird. 1
Considerations Euthanasia Methods Poultry Welfare: The method chosen should minimize the pain distress experienced by the bird. However, the choice techniques may be limited in certain environments. In all cases, proper restraint can help decrease the bird s fear distress. When possible, poultry should be held gently in an upright position with their wings closed prevent flapping, not carried upside down by the legs. Covering the eyes with a h or a piece cloth exerts a calming effect, as does holding the bird in contact with the hler s body. Human Safety: The method chosen should not pose undue risks the individual perming the euthanasia. Some methods are more dangerous than others, should only be under controlled conditions with proper equipment or protection. Skill: Appropriate training personnel is important ensure that poultry are euthanized appropriately. Untrained personnel in an emergency situation can use some methods, while others, like cervical dislocation, require skill training carry out correctly. Aesthetics: Some methods may be objectionable the person perming the procedure because blood loss or involuntary reflex movements by the bird. Personnel that may euthanize birds should be trained underst how birds respond particular euthanasia methods. Cost: Some methods are more costly than others are. Some have initial costs associated with the purchase equipment, but are thereafter inexpensive. Limitations: Some methods may be suitable only certain ages or types poultry. In addition, some methods involve administration controlled drugs by a veterinarian. 2
Poultry Welfare Human Risk Safety Skill Required esthetics A t os C s Limitation Cervical Dislocation if Acceptable by out carried trained personnel ow L e Moderat Terminal movements labor Low; cost Acceptable technique small or young but birds, physically carry difficult properly out with larger poultry like turkeys ratites adult or waterfowl, when large numbers be must birds killed rgon A e cceptabl A w o L w Lo Terminal movements cost high; chamber supply gas Appropriate concentrations be must maintained below) (see Carbon Dioxide May be acceptable, depends but on type bird; age O C 2 s i aversive in Low if an enclosed or container area Low Wing-flapping other terminal movements; gasping cost high; chamber supply gas Not acceptable waterfowl: birds, other levels proper be must maintained below) (see Carbon Monoxide cceptable A h ig H w Lo Terminal movements possible ; cost chamber supply gas Not acceptable waterfowl Gunshot if Acceptable directed head high blood Some motion Low moderate; purchase gun safe bullets; srage Can be in an emergency birds larger kill Bolt Captive if Acceptable by out carried trained personnel air F e Moderat blood; Some wing-flapping; kick ratites Low; purchase bolt captive Can be larger birds, particularly ratites waterfowl; placement important bolt Electrocution Good providing sufficient current passes through brain heart bird kill instantly Low moderate, on depending method Muscle contraction due electricity Purchase equipment None Exsanguination/ Decapitation Only marginally acceptable is bird unless first stunned ow L e Moderat very Poor; bloody unless None, stunning is equipment purchased should None; in only be emergencies other where are methods unavailable Maceration if Good specialized device Low if equipment properly Unpleasant; blood some tissue Purchase purposedesigned macerar Appropriate small chicks Anesthetic Overdose ood G w o L h ig H d oo G h Hig Applicable agents only available licensed veterinarians; poultry some broilers) (like may need doses; higher carcass disposal Table 1: Euthanasia Methods Poultry 3
Details Table 1 Cervical Dislocation If carried out near the head area, dislocation the neck vertebrae from the cranium damages the lower brain region, causing rapid unconsciousness. In order be humane, dislocation must cause severance the brain from the spinal cord carotid arteries. This is best achieved using a stretching motion rather than by crushing the vertebrae. Training personnel is critical. Small birds can be dislocated by applying a rotational movement the neck. Adult poultry should be held by the shanks with one h, the head grasped immediately behind the skull with the other h. The neck is then extended dislocated using a sharp downward backward thrust. The necks larger or heavily muscled birds like broiler breeders, turkeys, geese, ratites, waterfowl are extremely difficult dislocate. It is theree recommended that other methods like captive bolt or gas euthanasia be birds weighing more than 6.5 pounds. Flapping other body movements may persist several minutes after cervical dislocation, although if the vertebrae have been properly dislocated these are reflex reactions. Securing the bird s wings prior perming the dislocation can prevent involuntary flapping. To ensure death, the bird s throat should be cut after cervical dislocation. If large numbers birds are be euthanized cervical dislocation is not an appropriate method because personnel perming the procedure rapidly become fatigued due the physical eft required. Argon Argon gas is an acceptable method killing all poultry species except waterfowl, is not an irritant like CO 2. Exposure argon causes hypoxia. A concentration 90% argon in air, or a mixture argon CO 2 (see below), should be euthanasia newly hatched fowl chicks, ratites, poults. Older birds should be euthanized using argon with less than 2% residual oxygen. Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Carbon dioxide causes rapid onset anesthesia with subsequent death due respirary arrest. Death occurs in 2-5 minutes depending on the species concentration CO 2. Poultry can be euthanized using carbon dioxide gas by being placed in containers that are sufficiently airtight maintain CO 2 at desired level. Depending on how many birds are being euthanized, a circulation system may be necessary ensure that the gas does not become stratified. Birds should be added the chamber gradually so that proper CO 2 levels are maintained. CO 2 should always be delivered from vapor delivery cylinders or, if from a liquid delivery cylinder, vaporized first prevent it from turning in dry ice. To meet the criteria humane euthanasia, birds already in the chamber must be unconscious bee being overlain by other birds loaded after them, unconsciousness must be maintained until death occurs. Domestic fowl chicks should be euthanized using a concentration CO 2 at least 80% in air; higher concentrations (at least 90%) are required newly hatched turkey poults ratite chicks. However, such high concentrations CO 2 are aversive adult birds. Adult chickens should be killed using approximately 50% CO 2 in air. A mixture 30% CO 2 60% argon or 90% argon (with less than 5% residual oxygen) is effective less aversive adult chickens than CO 2 alone. CO 2 is not an acceptable method killing waterfowl. 4
It is especially important confirm death when birds are euthanized using gas, since they can appear dead but then regain consciousness. Containers in which birds are euthanized should be clear or have a window through which the birds can be observed. When large numbers poultry are be killed, as during the depopulation spent hen flocks, it is important that CO 2 be injected frequently in the chamber maintain these levels. A Modified Atmosphere Killing (MAK) System can easily be constructed CO 2 killing spent hens (Egg Industry, April 1998, pages 10-16). The MAK container holds about 200 hens when full. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon monoxide is a relatively rapid effective method euthanasia birds. Carbon monoxide combines with the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in preference oxygen, causing hypoxia. Only a pure, commercially compressed source CO should be. Vehicle exhaust is not an acceptable source CO euthanasia because it is hot contains contaminants. High levels CO are deadly humans, chronic exposure pregnant women even low levels CO can cause birth defects. Only well-trained personnel should theree use carbon monoxide then only under properly controlled circumstances. The gas should be delivered in tightly sealed containers the area around the containers monired leakage. Depending on how many birds are being euthanized, a circulation system may be necessary ensure that the gas does not become stratified. Gunshot Larger birds like ratites can be euthanized by gunshot directly the head, causing extensive damage the brain. The gun must be correctly positioned ensure that the brain is destroyed. Care must be taken ensure human safety when using firearms. It is recommended that the carotid arteries jugular veins be severed immediately afterwards ensure death. Captive Bolt Captive bolt pisls designed livesck can be euthanize larger poultry species like waterfowl ratites. The pisl should be applied correctly. Because there is motion after use the captive bolt, it is advisable restrain the bird prevent injury personnel. It is recommended that the carotid arteries jugular veins the bird be severed immediately afterwards ensure death. Electrocution Electrocution is a rapid acceptable method euthanasia provided that a sufficient current passes first through the brain ensure unconsciousness, then through the heart induce cardiac arrest. Specialized equipment is required ensure humaneness personnel safety. Exsanguination/Decapitation Birds can be killed by severing the jugular veins, carotid arteries, trachea. Full decapitation also results in a rapid decrease in blood pressure brain stem trauma. However the blood vessels may seal after being severed, delaying the onset unconsciousness, brain responses do persist a brief period time after decapitation. For this reason, exsanguination or decapitation should only be as sole methods euthanasia in extreme emergencies involving animal suffering where 5
alternative methods are not feasible because lack equipment or trained personnel. Exsanguination decapitation are acceptable methods euthanasia when the bird is first stunned or anesthetized. H-held electrical stunning knives are available stunning exsanguinating chickens turkeys, although these do pose personnel dangers if in an area where there are wet surfaces. Birds can also be stunned first by administering a blow the head. Maceration Maceration in a high-speed grinder results in rapid death, is considered a humane method disposing young chicks embryonated eggs. Only grinders specifically designed disposal poultry, which have blades that turn at 5000 or more revolutions per minute, should be this purpose. The grinder should be properly maintained must not be overloaded, since birds may be incompletely macerated under these circumstances. Anesthetic Overdose - When properly administered by the intraperineal route, barbiturate overdose produces rapid unconsciousness anesthesia followed by respirary depression cardiac arrest. Federal regulations require these drugs be purchased, sred, under the supervision an individual registered with the US Drug Encement Agency (DEA). Poultry euthanized using barbiturates must be properly disposed in accordance with state regulations. Confirmation loss consciousness death Confirmation death is critical regardless the method chosen. The cessation reflexes in the head area can be confirm loss consciousness: Lack response a hard pinch delivered the comb, wattles, or snood Lack blink reflex when the eye is uched The following signs can be confirm death: Cessation respiration Cessation heartbeat Euthanasia Action Plan All personnel that work with the birds, including transporters, should be trained in appropriate euthanasia methods be provided with any equipment that might be necessary euthanizing sick or injured birds or on-farm depopulation. A written action plan routine emergency euthanasia should be developed followed wherever birds are hled. Since improved euthanasia methods poultry, particularly on-farm depopulation, are currently under development, the action plan should be reviewed updated regularly incorporate these new methods as appropriate. Below is an example action plan poultry euthanasia. 6
EUTHANASIA ACTION PLAN Farm Name: Date: Drafted by: XYZ Farms Month/Day/Year J. Smith, Producer Phase Euthanasia method Alternative method choice Hatchery Selected method Alternative method Adults Selected method Alternative method During transport Selected method Alternative method Post this plan in a centralized area as a guideline humane euthanasia poultry on your farm. Remember review the plan with any new employees, also review the plan annually as a reminder all personnel. Prepared by The Center Animal Welfare College Agricultural Environmental Sciences University Calinia, Davis 7