Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide

Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2007 Editioncurrent through the brain and induces instantaneous insensibility. Electricalimmobilization keeps a sensible animal still by paralyzing the muscles. It does notinduce epileptiform changes in an electroencephalogram (EEG).Cattle Restraint for StunningIf a stunning box is used, it should be narrow enoughto prevent the animal from turning around. The floorshould be non-slip so the animal can stand withoutlosing its footing. It is much easier to stun an animalthat is standing quietly. Only one animal should beplaced in each stunning box compartment to preventanimals from trampling each other.Most large plants restrain cattle and pigs in a conveyorrestrainer system. There are two types of conveyorrestraints: the V restrainer and the center track system, V restrainer system for cattle.which is used in many beef plants. In a V restrainersystem, the cattle or pigs are held between two angledconveyors. In the center track system the cattle ride astride a moving conveyor. The center tracksystem provides the advantages of easier cattle stunning and improved ergonomics because thestunner operator can stand closer to the animal. Either type of restrainer system is much saferfor workers than cattle in a stunning box. Restrainer conveyors are recommended for all plantsthat slaughter more than 100 head per hour.Lighting over the top of the conveyor in the restrainerroom will help induce cattle to raise their headsfor the stunner. However, both cattle and pigs shouldnot be able to see light coming up from under the restrainerbecause it may cause balking at the entrance.Restrainer systems should be equipped with a long,solid hold-down rack to prevent rearing. For cattle,the hold-down should be long enough so that theanimal is fully settled down onto the conveyor beforeit emerges from under it. This hold-down should notpress on the animal’s back. It is a visual barrier.If an animal is walking into the restrainer by itself,do not poke it with an electric prod. Center tracksystems require less prodding to induce cattle toenter it. Workers need to break the “automaticprod reflex” habit.Center track restrainer for cattle.27AMIHandlingSlaughterGuidelines07.1AMIJune 11, 2007