Assessing methods for on-farm euthanasia of turkeys, chickens, breeders and layers

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In 2011, 697 million chicks and turkey poults were placed for production in Canada, while 680 million chickens and turkeys were sold to processors that year. These numbers equate to a national culling and mortality rate of 2.42% (17 million birds). Although no data exists on the proportion of morbidities versus mortalities and practices will vary widely between farms dependent on management strategies, it is safe to assume that, under normal production conditions with no epidemic disease pressures, millions of birds annually need to be euthanized on-farm to prevent further suffering. However, there is little scientific data on the best manner by which to euthanize birds of different weights and ages. Building on our expertise, our experienced team of scientists from across North America will study the efficacies of three non-penetrating captive bolt devices, two commercially available mechanical cervical dislocating devices, and different concentrations of carbon dioxide gas for inducing rapid loss of consciousness and death in cull broilers, breeders, laying hens and turkeys in different weight classes, from day-old until end of production. We will utilize behavioural and physical measures of insensibility, post-mortem measures of traumatic brain, skull, vertebral and spinal cord injury, and when possible, brain activity as determined by EEG. This project will result in science-based recommendations on best practices to ensure euthanasia devices are humane, effective and pose minimal threat to the operators.