A survey of slaughter procedures used in chicken processing plants

Information was collected on the slaughter procedures used in 12 processing plants in Australia. The processing line speed varied from 25 to 125 birds/minute; the voltage in the electrified waterbath varied from 55 to 165 V; the duration of stunning was 2.0 to 7.5 seconds and the time allowed for exsanguination was 45 to 180 seconds. As a result of the variables, some birds were dead on leaving the stunner and prior to exsanguination, while it was probable that others were not dead before entering the scald tank.