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

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Exposure of the Pig CNS for Histological Analysis: A Manual for Decapitation, Skull Opening, and Brain Removal

Exposure of the Pig CNS for Histological Analysis: A Manual for Decapitation, Skull Opening, and Brain Removal

Published on: April 13, 2017

Pig slaughtering procedures: Head-to-back stunning.

S B Wotton¹, M H Anil, P E Whittington

¹Department of Meat Animal Science, Bristol University, Langford Bristol BS18 7DY, UK.

|November 9, 2011

Summary

Optimizing electrical stunning in pigs requires balancing fracture prevention and effective stunning. Rear electrode placement impacts carcass quality, but no single position eliminated all issues, suggesting further research is needed for ideal stunning methods.

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

The effects of pre-slaughter restraint (for the purpose of cattle identification) on post-slaughter responses and carcass quality following the electrical stun/killing of cattle in a Jarvis Beef stunner.

Meat science·2015

Same author

Religious slaughter: evaluation of current practices in selected countries.

Meat science·2013

Same author

A bespoke management package can reduce levels of injurious pecking in loose-housed laying hen flocks.

The Veterinary record·2013

Same author

The effectiveness of high frequency electrical stunning in pigs.

Meat science·2011

Same author

Welfare of calves - 1. Investigations into some aspects of calf slaughter.

Meat science·2011

Same author

Welfare of calves - 2. Increase in vertebral artery blood flow following exsanguination by neck sticking and evaluation of chest sticking as an alternative slaughter method.

Meat science·2011

Area of Science:

Animal Science
Meat Science
Electrical Engineering

Background:

High voltage head-to-back electrical stunning in pigs can lead to vertebral compression fractures, blood splash, and reduced meat quality.
Effective stunning is crucial for animal welfare and meat product integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the optimal rear electrode position for electrical stunning of pigs.
To achieve effective stunning and killing while minimizing carcass defects and ensuring desirable meat quality.

Main Methods:

Pigs were stunned and killed using a 1.3 A, 50 Hz sinewave.
The position of the rear electrode was varied to assess its impact on stunning efficacy and carcass quality.
Parameters evaluated included vertebral fractures, cardiac fibrillation, blood splash, muscle hemorrhages, meat color, and kicking incidence.

More Related Videos

Extraction and Dissection of the Domesticated Pig Brain

Extraction and Dissection of the Domesticated Pig Brain

Published on: April 25, 2021

Swine Model of Biofilm Infection and Invisible Wounds

Swine Model of Biofilm Infection and Invisible Wounds

Published on: June 16, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Exposure of the Pig CNS for Histological Analysis: A Manual for Decapitation, Skull Opening, and Brain Removal

Exposure of the Pig CNS for Histological Analysis: A Manual for Decapitation, Skull Opening, and Brain Removal

Published on: April 13, 2017

Extraction and Dissection of the Domesticated Pig Brain

Extraction and Dissection of the Domesticated Pig Brain

Published on: April 25, 2021

Swine Model of Biofilm Infection and Invisible Wounds

Swine Model of Biofilm Infection and Invisible Wounds

Published on: June 16, 2023

Main Results:

A trend suggested fewer vertebral breaks with more rostral (forward) electrode positions.
No electrode position achieved 100% cardiac fibrillation and completely prevented vertebral breaks.
Blood splash, hemorrhages, and meat color variations were within normal ranges and not related to electrode position.
Caudal (rearward) electrode positions reduced kicking, while rostral positions reduced compression fractures.

Conclusions:

Optimal rear electrode positioning for electrical stunning in pigs presents a trade-off between reducing vertebral fractures and ensuring effective stunning.
Current methods do not offer a single position that eliminates all negative outcomes, indicating a need for further refinement in stunning protocols.
Understanding the relationship between electrode placement and physiological responses is key to improving pig stunning and meat quality.