On-the-spot inspection checklist
for water bath stunning of poultry

(based on the requirements of Regulation 93/119/EC)

Dr. Ingrid Schütt-Abraham, 20. March 2004 (Original list of November 2000)

I. Check design and layout of the water bath

1. Size of water bath adequate for species?
2. Lenght of water bath adjusted to line speed?
3. How many birds are simultaneously immersed?
4. Elektrodes spanning the length of the water bath?
5. Water level adjustable?
6. No overflow of water at the entrance ramp?
7. Metal conduction bar clean, free of corrosion and in uninterrupted contact with shackles?
8. Device for wetting the legs installed and functioning (optional)?
9. Sufficient space/time for manual back-up operations?
10. Voltage and amperage indicated (optional)?
11. Time between shackling and stunning?

II. Check electrotechnical stunning parameters

1. Voltage (under load)?
2. Amperage (Total amperage Ieff)?
3. SVC recommendations met for minimum amperage per bird? (Divide total amperage by number of simultaneously immersed birds to obtain amperage per bird)
4. Current frequency (> 100 Hz no cardiac arrest stunning!)?
5. Current type (Sinus AC, pulsed DC, others)?
6. Current flow duration per bird?

III. Check clinical stunning parameters in birds

A) At stunner entrance (Immediate stun?)

1. All heads properly immersed?
2. No wing flapping, no vocalization?
3. No premature electric shocks?
4. Instantaneous onset of tonic spasm upon current contact?

B) At stunner exit (Efficient stun?)

1. No birds "climbing their shackles"?
2. No wing flapping, no vocalization?
3. No respiration?
4. No corneal reflex?
5. Birds still in a tonic state (with current flow durations less than 8sec) respectively fully relaxed (with current flow duration exceeding 10 sec and cardiac arrest)?
6. No reaction to painful stimuli?

C) At sticking point (Lasting stun?)

1. No return of respiration?
2. No return of corneal reflex?
3. No head raising and wing flapping triggered by sticking?
4. No reaction to painful stimuli?
5. Bleeding rapid and profuse?

D) During bleeding (No return of consciousness?)

1. No return of regular respiration?
2. No return of spontaneous blinking?
3. No raising of heads?
4. No reaction to painful stimuli?
5. No hypoxemic convulsions at the end of the bleed-out (only applicable with cardiac arrest stunning)?

E) At entrance to scalding tank (Confirmation of death?)

1. No respiration?
2. No corneal reflex?
3. No muscle tone / no movements?
4. No reaction to painful stimuli?
5. No reaction to contact with scalding water?

F) After scalding and plucking (Birds properly bled?)

1. All necks properly cut?
2. Both carotid arteries cut?
3. No "Redskins"?

(The description corresponds to an optimal stunning / sticking process with sinus 50 Hz stunning. Deviations should give reason to check the process. A competent evaluation of the stunning depth and duration requires consideration of all mentioned parameters).

IV. Check personnel

1. In possession of the necessary skill, ability and professional knowledge?
2. Certificates of competence (if required by Member State legislation)?
3. Manual back-up personnel present at stunner exit / sticking point?

V. Check construction and maintenace of the stunning equipment

1. Sufficient transformer capacity? (No notable decrease of voltage under load?)
2. Ammeter (if any) indicating 0 Amps when stunner activated whithout birds being in the water bath?
3. Ammeter suited for currents deviating from sinus 50 Hz if such currents are used?
5. Conformity of equipment with IEC/EN 60335-2-87:1999 certified?
6. Regular checks and maintenance of stunning equipment carried out and documented?

Annex

Recommendations of the Scientific Veterinary Committee (SVC)

Copyright Dr. Ingrid Schütt-Abraham