Today, Eyes on Animals tested the H2H Euthanizer, developed by Top Equipment, for the emergency killing of sick and injured poultry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The importance of more humane tools for killing birds that are suffering Every poultry farm has to deal with birds that need to be killed for welfare or production reasons. On a single farm, this may involve anywhere from just a few birds to many dozens of birds each week, depending on the type and size of the farm. These may include birds with severe pecking wounds, serious lameness and internal infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eyes on Animals believes that birds that are clearly suffering should be humanely killed as quickly as possible. We also believe that more humane methods than cervical dislocation should become the standard. In our view, cervical dislocation is not an acceptable killing method, as it causes pain and distress and is not always performed correctly. We therefore started looking for practical devices that provide immediate unconsciousness while being easy to implement on farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides reducing animal suffering, easy-to-use humane killing devices may also lower the emotional and physical barriers that some farmers and workers face when they have to kill birds. As a result, birds that are suffering may be killed sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testing the H2H device: our positive findings Based on what we observed today, we were very impressed by both the device and its ease of use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each bird was placed upside down in the support cradle, with the legs secured in adjustable holders. The birds remained calm during this process because their bodies were fully supported. An electrode was then placed on the cloaca, after which the handle was pulled to position the head electrodes while simultaneously activating the current. Once the current was activated, unconsciousness was immediate. The electrical current passes through the bird so rapidly that unconsciousness and death occur before the bird can perceive pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We checked for signs of consciousness, including rhythmic breathing, eye reflexes and neck muscle tone, and none were present. It was a relief to be able to end these birds‘ suffering immediately using a method that was both quick and humane. The birds showed only a brief muscle contraction caused by the electrical current, after which they became completely limp. There was no blood loss or wing flapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Over the past year, Eyes on Animals has been encouraging the poultry industry to adopt alternatives to cervical dislocation for birds that are injured, sick or otherwise severely compromised. Contrary to what is often believed, cervical dislocation (stretching the neck) is not an instant or painless method. Depending on how it is performed, it can take several seconds, or even minutes, before a bird loses consciousness, during which time it is likely to experience severe pain and distress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Today, the H2H device, which is designed to stun and kill the bird simultaneously, was tested on four laying hens from a hospital pen on a commercial farm in the Netherlands. We greatly appreciated that this farm was willing to test the device and was actively looking for more humane ways to end the suffering of their compromised birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n