Euthanasia for Broiler Chickens: Manual and Mechanical Cervical Dislocation Methods
ID
APSC-161P
This publication is available in a PDF file format only.
When a broiler chicken is injured, stunted in growth, immobile or unable to eat or drink, it is in the animal’s best interest to take the bird out of the flock for euthanasia rather than to leave the bird to eventually die. Euthanasia, or “good death” is not a pleasant job, so it is important that it is effective, relatively quick and easy to administer. For the bird, it should be done with minimal unavoidable pain or distress. Manual cervical dislocation (CD) is the most commonly applied method for euthanizing broiler chickens, but uniform application for numerous birds can be challenging. Therefore, using a tool (the mechanical method) such as the Koechner Euthanizing Device could be an alternative when multiple birds are to be euthanized such as during flock depopulation. For this research study, we evaluated the Koechner Euthanasia Device and manual cervical dislocation of 200 broiler chickens ranging from 36 to 43 days old, at scheduled flock termination.
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.
Publication Date
October 15, 2019
