Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide

Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2007 Editionwas more aversive than inhaling CO 2. Research in people indicates that genetics affect theaversiveness of CO 2inhalation.In evaluating gas stunning, one must look at the entire system, which includes the handlingsystem and the gas mixture. One advantage of gas stunning is that these systems can be designedto eliminate the need for pigs to line up in single file chutes, which is contrary to their naturalbehavior. Regardless of gas type or mixture, the pigs should have little reaction when they firstcontact the gas and convulsions should not begin until after the pigs collapse.If conscious pigs squeal, struggle vigorously or attempt to escape when they first contact the gas,this is a serious problem. Genetics may be a contributing factor and may require a different gasmixture or other adjustment. Observations in several plants indicate that elimination of the stressHalothane gene may reduce problems with stressful anesthetic induction. The gas parameters foreach plant should be evaluated for ease of anesthesia induction by observing the behavior of theanimals. The gas mixture is not acceptable if the pigs attempt to climb out of the container. It isnormal to have violent kicking and convulsions after the pig falls over.It should be noted that it is important to strive for optimal loading density for pigs in gondolaswhen CO 2systems are used. Pigs should not be overcrowded, but gondolas or other conveyancesshould also not be under-filled.Roughly 0.019 ft 2 (.001765 sq.m) usable gondola space/lb body weight should approximatelydetermine the maximum number of animals loaded into the gondola at various body weights.This will ensure that pigs can stand without being on top of one another.For example, for a gondola measuring 9΄1.5″x4′ wide, a good, approximate target for loadingdensities would be:240 lbs and less = 8 head240-275 = 7 head275-320 = 6 head320-385 = 5 headHow to Determine InsensibilityIn both captive bolt and electrically stunned animals, kicking will occur. Ignore the kicking andlook at the head. To put it simply, THE HEAD MUST BE DEAD. When cattle are shot with acaptive bolt, it is normal to have a spasm for 5 to 15 seconds. After the animal is rolled out ofthe box or hung up, its eyes should relax and be wide open.When pigs are stunned using CO 2to induce surgical anesthesia, some animals may have slowlimb movement or gasping. This is permissible. However, there must be no spontaneous eyeblinking, righting reflex or response to a painful stimulus applied to the nose.32AMIHandlingSlaughterGuidelines07.1AMIJune 11, 2007