LPT 312: Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology (1+1)

ELECTRICAL STUNNING OF CATTLE AND SHEEP

• Electrical stunning of cattle
  • Not proved entirely satisfactory anaesthesia, due to the insulating effect of the fine hairs on the head of the animal, although continental authorities have found it satisfactory.
• Electrical stunning of sheep
  • Proper unconsciousness can be assumed if there is immediate flexion of all four limbs, closing of the eyes followed by extension of the hind limbs in a few seconds.
  • After some 10 seconds this is followed by gradual muscle relaxation and then vague walking movements of the hind limbs.
  • The eyelids are usually opened at this stage and the eyes rotate upwards so that the pupil cannot be seen.