Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Pigs exposed to nitrogen, argon or carbon dioxide filled high-expansion foam: behavioural responses, stun process and blood lactate concentration.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2025

Same author

Validation of indicators used to assess unconsciousness in veal calves at slaughter.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2016

Same author

Validation of behavioural indicators used to assess unconsciousness in sheep.

Research in veterinary science·2015

Same author

Indicators used in livestock to assess unconsciousness after stunning: a review.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2014

Same author

Cone restraining and head-only electrical stunning in broilers: effects on physiological responses and meat quality.

Poultry science·2014

Same author

The effect of reduced loading density on pig welfare during long distance transport.

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience·2013

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response in Chicken Hatchlings

Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response in Chicken Hatchlings

Published on: April 1, 2022

Head-to-cloaca electrical stunning of broilers.

E Lambooij¹, H Reimert, J W van de Vis

¹Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen UR, Animal Production Division, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands. bert.lambooij@wur.nl

Poultry Science

|September 24, 2008

Summary

This study determined optimal electrical stunning parameters for broiler chickens, finding 111 mA sinusoidal current for 1 second effectively renders birds unconscious. Pulsed square wave currents offer potential energy savings for broiler stunning.

More Related Videos

A Ligated Intestinal Loop Model in Anesthetized Specific Pathogen Free Chickens to Study Clostridium Perfringens Virulence

A Ligated Intestinal Loop Model in Anesthetized Specific Pathogen Free Chickens to Study Clostridium Perfringens Virulence

Published on: October 11, 2018

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Published on: June 9, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response in Chicken Hatchlings

Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response in Chicken Hatchlings

Published on: April 1, 2022

A Ligated Intestinal Loop Model in Anesthetized Specific Pathogen Free Chickens to Study Clostridium Perfringens Virulence

A Ligated Intestinal Loop Model in Anesthetized Specific Pathogen Free Chickens to Study Clostridium Perfringens Virulence

Published on: October 11, 2018

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Published on: June 9, 2017

Area of Science:

Animal Science
Electrical Engineering
Food Science

Background:

Effective stunning is crucial for humane slaughter in broiler chickens.
Current methods require optimization for efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify optimal electrical current and exposure duration for instantaneous unconsciousness in broiler chickens using a head-to-cloaca stunner.
To evaluate the efficacy of sinusoidal and pulsed square wave currents for broiler stunning.

Main Methods:

Utilized a head-to-cloaca water bath stunner with varying electrode types (penetrating cloaca vs. skin contact).
Applied 640-Hz sinusoidal alternating current and 33 mA pulsed alternating square wave current.
Monitored electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess stunning effectiveness and duration.
Evaluated broiler unconsciousness and cardiac activity post-stunning, with bleeding at 14 seconds.

Main Results:

A 640-Hz sinusoidal current of 111 mA (50 V) for 1 second effectively stunned broiler chickens, inducing unconsciousness.
Pulsed alternating square wave current (33 mA, 60 V peak, 600 Hz, 50% duty cycle) also induced unconsciousness, with potential for energy reduction.
Bleeding within 14 seconds post-stunning ensured sustained unconsciousness.

Conclusions:

Optimal parameters for effective broiler stunning using a water bath stunner were identified.
Sinusoidal current (111 mA, 1s) and pulsed square wave current (33 mA) are effective for rendering broiler chickens unconscious.
Pulsed square wave currents present an opportunity to reduce energy consumption during broiler stunning.