ZBRI.htm

NR ZBRI

AU von Wenzlawowicz,M.; Schütte,A.; von Holleben,K.; von Altrock,A.; Bostelmann,N.; Roeb,S.

TI Field-study on welfare and meat quality aspects of the Midas-pig-stunning device with Inarco system - Part 1: Current characteristics and stunning effectiveness

QU Fleischwirtschaft 1998; 78: 731-4

PT journal article

AB Welfare aspects of the Midas-stunning device were evaluated under practical conditions on 6056 pigs (60-155 kg life weight) in three European plants (line speed: 156, 358, 365 pigs per hour). Carcass/meat quality was also taken into account (see part II). Current flow was registered and video analyses of head electrode placement and movements of the pigs after stunning were made. Reflex activity (eye reflexes, nose pinch) 40 to 60 seconds after stunning and cardiac arrest (electrocardiogram) were tested. With the Midas device (head current: 2,3-2,6 A, 800 Hz, 2,1-2,4s; heart current: 1,0-1,7 A, 50 Hz, 2, 1-2,4s; both sinus wave form) incidence of correct stunning was 99,1 %. With sufficient electrode-body contact (incidence: 98,8 %) 1,3 Ampere were achieved after 440 ms at the latest. Deficient stunning was caused by disadvantageous fixation so that the head could not be caught correctly (welfare relevant: 0,7 % of the pigs). Both technical improvements and mainly reduction of the strain during lining up are necessary (see part II). Moreover the sticking person is especially responsible for the correct treatment of falsely stunned pigs. Head-stunning time of less than 4 seconds (German law) here does not result in incorrect stunning. Effective cardiac arrest and relatively low reflex activity also confirm the good stunning. Stunning-effectiveness seems a progress compared to conventional stunning facilities especially at higher line speed.

AD von Wenzlawowicz,M.; Beratungs- und Schulungsinstitut für schonenden Umgang mit Zucht- und Schlachttieren, Postfach 14 69, D-21487 Schwarzenbek, Germany

SP deutsch

Autorenindex - authors index
Startseite Betäubung - home page Stunning