Efficiency of Electrical Stunning by Electronarcosis: Current Situation and Perspective of Improvement in a Medium-Size Processing Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of electrical stunning by electronarcosis in a medium-size poultry processing plant located in southern Brazil. The current measurement of this type of stunning is presented, and then improvements to this method are proposed. Data were collected for 90 days. A quality indicator was proposed: the Stunning Severity Index (SSI), which includes elements of Statistical Process Control (SPC) using a p-chart (proportion chart) and measures. This index comprises the variables "wing-flapping," "arched head," and "rhythmic breathing." Using the proposed index, 5% of the birds, on average, presented inefficient stunning symptoms.

Keywords:
Broilers; animal welfare; electric stunning by electronarcosis; stunning severity index; Statistical Process Control; control charts

Authorship

RL Barbosa

Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics, Rodovia PR 469, Km 1, CEP 85503390 Pato Branco, PR. E-mail: rodrigolb.sc@gmail.comFederal Technologic University of ParanaBrazilPato Branco, PR, BrazilFederal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics, Rodovia PR 469, Km 1, CEP 85503390 Pato Branco, PR. E-mail: rodrigolb.sc@gmail.com

GO Adamczuk

Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics, Rodovia PR 469, Km 1, CEP 85503390 Pato Branco, PR. E-mail: gilson@utfpr.edu.brFederal Technologic University of ParanaBrazilPato Branco, PR, BrazilFederal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics, Rodovia PR 469, Km 1, CEP 85503390 Pato Branco, PR. E-mail: gilson@utfpr.edu.br

P Dvojatzki

Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Coordination of Industrial Engineering lato sensu Specialization, E-mail: dvojatzkipricila@gmail.comFederal Technologic University of ParanaBrazilBrazilFederal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Coordination of Industrial Engineering lato sensu Specialization, E-mail: dvojatzkipricila@gmail.com

MG Trentin

Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Electricity, E-mail: marcelo@utfpr.edu.brFederal Technologic University of ParanaBrazilBrazilFederal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Electricity, E-mail: marcelo@utfpr.edu.br

JD Lima

Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mathematics. E-mail: donizetti@utfpr.edu.brFederal Technologic University of ParanaBrazilBrazilFederal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mathematics. E-mail: donizetti@utfpr.edu.br

Corresponding author e-mail address Gilson Adamczuk Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics, Rodovia PR 469, Km 1 85503390. Pato Branco, PR, Brazil Email: gilson@utfpr.edu.br

SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Figures | Tables | Formulas

Figures (1)
Tables (4)
Formulas (3)

Thumbnail

Figure 1
Example of SSI application with p chart (August 2014 to November 2014).

Thumbnail

Table 1
Stunning efficiency parameters

Thumbnail

Table 2
Critical analysis of aspects of checking the efficiency of the electric stunner

Thumbnail

Table 3
Correlations between dependent and independent variables of stunning

Thumbnail

Table 4
Suggestions for the improvement of monitoring stunning effectiveness.

Thumbnail

Figure 1 Example of SSI application with p chart (August 2014 to November 2014).

Table 1 Stunning efficiency parameters

Parameter	Measurements
Stunner voltage, current, and frequency	Record the parameters shown on the screen located in the shackling area.
Blinking eyes	N. of broilers blinking their eyes at the exit of the water tank
Wing-flapping	N. of broilers opening and closing wings
Arched head	N. of broilers with arched head
Rhythmic breathing	N. of broilers presenting cloaca movements
Vocalization	N. of broilers vocalizing after neck cutting
Total of broilers analyzed for each parameter	50

Table 2 Critical analysis of aspects of checking the efficiency of the electric stunner

Parameter	Critical Analysis
Blinking eyes	Important for humane slaughter, since the bird may be conscious and not show any other signs. However, it is difficult to determine, due to conveyor line speed and low light intensity of the shackling area, and therefore, the results are not reliable.
Wing-flapping	It is one the most important parameters for stunning effectiveness evaluation, as it is easy to observe, which makes it results highly reliable. However, it should be differentiated from wing-flapping due to muscle spasms, which are not considered as a result of deficient stunning.
Arched head	Easy to observe and highly reliable result.
Rhythmic breathing	Observation of the regular up and down movement of the cloaca. It is easy to observe, and the results are considered reliable.
Vocalization	It is difficult to determine, but the results are reliable.

Table 3 Correlations between dependent and independent variables of stunning

Dependent Variable	Independent Variable
	Current (A)	Frequency (Hz)	Average weight (kg)
Wing-flapping	-0.09^a	-0.05^a	0.19^b
Rhythmic breathing	0.042^a	-0.12^a	0.20^b
Arched neck	0.049^a	-0.02^a	0.17^b
Blinking eyes	-0.126^a	-0.16^b	0.31^b

^a
Not significant. ^bSignificant by the t - test at 5% probability level.

Table 4 Suggestions for the improvement of monitoring stunning effectiveness.

Parameter	Suggestion for Improvement
Stunner voltage, current, and frequency	Indicate in the spreadsheet if data shown on the screen correspond to each monitored broiler.
Blinking eyes	Remove this parameter from the daily spreadsheets and include it in the monthly spreadsheet of the qualitative animal welfare Check List.
Wing-flapping	Change the number of samples to match the line speed of 11,000 broilers/hour.
Arched head	Change the number of samples to match the line speed of 11,000 broilers/hour
Rhythmic breathing	Change the number of samples to match the line speed of 11,000 broilers/hour
Vocalization	Remove this parameter from the spreadsheets.
Feet fitting	Check if the birds' feet are correctly placed in the shackles.
Shackling	Check if both feet are shackled and no foot has returned from the plucking area.
Flock weight	Record flock weight in the spreadsheet to include it in the stunning effectiveness assessment.

How to cite

copy

Fundação de Apoio à Ciência e Tecnologia Avicolas Rua Barão de Paranapanema, 146 - Sala 72, Bloco A, Bosque., CEP: 13026-010. , Tel.: +55 (19) 3255-8500 - Campinas - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revista@facta.org.br

Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS

Versão para download de PDF

PDF

Inglês

Versões e tradução automática

Versão original do texto

English

Tradução automática

Google Translator
Microsoft Translator

Como citar

RIS

BIBTEX

Outros formatos de citação e exportação:

SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online
Rua Dr. Diogo de Faria, 1087 – 9º andar – Vila Clementino 04037-003 São Paulo/SP - Brasil
E-mail: scielo@scielo.org

Leia a Declaração de Acesso Aberto

Métricas

Efficiency of Electrical Stunning by Electronarcosis: Current Situation and Perspective of Improvement in a Medium-Size Processing Plant

PlumX

Mensagem

[1] Corresponding author e-mail address Gilson Adamczuk Federal Technologic University of Parana (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics, Rodovia PR 469, Km 1 85503390. Pato Branco, PR, Brazil Email: gilson@utfpr.edu.br