Browsing by Author "Harris, Caitlin E."

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    Animal welfare assessment of on-farm euthanasia methods for individual, heavy turkeys
    Jacobs, Leonie; Bourassa, Dianna V.; Boyal, Ranjit S.; Harris, Caitlin E.; Josselson, L. Nicole Bartenfeld; Campbell, Andrew M.; Anderson, Gracie; Buhr, R. Jeff (2021-03)
    On-farm euthanasia of poultry, including turkeys, may not be possible for most people as birds gain weight; thus alternative mechanical methods have been developed. Our objective was to compare mechanical cervical dislocation with the Koechner Euthanizing Device (KED), captive bolt euthanasia with the Turkey Euthanasia Device (TED), head-only CO2 euthanasia (CO2), and electric euthanasia as potential humane methods for euthanizing individual, heavy turkeys. We assessed their impact on loss of brain stem reflexes, acute distress (corticosterone, CORT), kill success, torn skin, and blood loss. Turkeys (n 5 174) were euthanized on 3 sampling days, while birds were restrained using a mobile bird euthanasia apparatus. Brain stem reflexes recorded were the cessation and return of induced nictitating membrane reflex (loss of consciousness and brain stem dysfunction), mouth gaping reflex (brain stem dysfunction), and musculoskeletal movements (spinal cord dysfunction). Overall, KED resulted in more frequent (at 4 min: KED 7 of 14; electric 0 of 13; TED 0 of 11; CO2 2 of 14 birds on day 1) and longer durations of the induced nictitating reflex compared to the other methods (means of day 2 and 3: KED 233; electric 15; TED 15; CO2 15 s). The mouth gaping reflex endured the longest after KED euthanasia (means of day 2 and 3: KED 197; electric 15; TED 51; CO2 15 s). Musculoskeletal movements endured longest after KED euthanasia (means of day 2 and 3: KED 235; electric 15; TED 219; CO2 15 s). Returning reflexes were more frequent after KED and TED compared to CO2 and electric euthanasia, where it was absent. CO2, electric, and TED euthanasia showed comparable kill success (success: CO2 42 out of 43; electric 44 of 45; TED 42 of 44), with KED resulting in most unsuccessful kills (unsuccessful: 8 out of 42). CORT responses were inconsistent. Torn skin and blood loss occurred more frequently after KED and TED compared to CO2 and electric applications. Therefore, we conclude that, based on a comparison of these 4 methods, the most discernibly humane was electric euthanasia, which consistently resulted in quick loss of consciousness within 15 s, no returning reflexes, and no torn skin or blood loss.
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    Equipment and methods for poultry euthanasia by a single operator
    Boyal, Ranjit S.; Buhr, R. Jeff; Harris, Caitlin E.; Jacobs, Leonie; Bourassa, Dianna V. (2020-12)
    Euthanasia of large poultry can be particularly challenging due to the difficulty of manual cervical dislocation of large older birds. Euthanasia is intended to swiftly render the animal unconscious and rapidly lead to death using humane methods. Euthanasia by a single operator can be challenging when euthanizing mature broiler breeders and turkeys weighing from 4 to 30 Kg. Owing to the difficulty of manual cervical dislocation on large poultry, development and assessment of alternative methods for euthanasia are necessary. Four American Veterinary Medical Association approved alternative euthanasia methods including mechanical cervical dislocation, nonpenetrative captive bolt, carbon dioxide, and electrical euthanasia were evaluated on broiler breeders, Beltsville Small White turkeys, and Broad Breasted White turkeys. A mobile bird euthanasia apparatus was designed allowing for individual bird euthanasia by a single operator. Mechanical cervical dislocation and nonpenetrative captive bolt devices were commercially available. The carbon dioxide and electrical euthanasia devices used were developed for this work. Each of the 4 euthanasia methods were assessed for kill success defined as one euthanasia attempt with no signs of recovery. In addition, the costs associated with purchase or construction of each device are reported. All four euthanasia methods resulted in successful euthanasia of 436 birds. The overall single application euthanasia success rates were 97% for mechanical cervical dislocation, 98% for captive bolt, 97% for carbon dioxide, and 99% for electrical euthanasia. Each method can be used to successfully euthanize broiler breeders and turkeys and can be used safely when the use of manual cervical dislocation is not feasible.
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    Euthanasia for broiler chickens: manual and mechanical cervical dislocation methods
    Jacobs, Leonie; Bourassa, Dianna V.; Harris, Caitlin E.; Burr, R. Jeff (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
    For this study we evaluated the Koechner Euthanizing Device and manual cervical dislocation of 200 broiler chickens ranging from 36 to 43 days of age at scheduled flock terminations
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    Euthanasia: Manual versus Mechanical Cervical Dislocation for Broilers
    Jacobs, Leonie; Bourassa, Dianna V.; Harris, Caitlin E.; Buhr, R. Jeff (2019-02)
    Simple Summary Poultry are euthanized for several reasons, most commonly because a bird is sick or injured and unable to eat or drink. Euthanasia can be a challenge to perform, especially when birds are heavy, like broiler chickens (produced for meat). Manual cervical dislocation (CD), or "breaking the neck", is the most commonly applied method, but can be challenging. Therefore, using a tool (the mechanical method) such as the Koechner Euthanizing Device (KED) could be an alternative. Here, we aimed to compare CD with KED application for their impact on duration of induced reflexes and time to brain death. We assessed loss of brain stem reflexes, which indicate deep unconsciousness and/or brain stem death, and cessation of musculoskeletal movements. We applied both methods (CD and KED) to 200 broilers of 36, 42, or 43 days old on 3 experimental days. On days 2 and 3 an additional method was added, in which the bird's head was extended at a similar to 90 degrees angle after the application of the KED (KED+). Our study indicated brain stem death occurred sooner when birds were euthanized with CD compared to KED or KED+; all reflex durations were sustained for longer in the KED and KED+ birds. The aim was to assess the onset of brain stem death for two euthanasia methods-manual cervical dislocation (CD) versus the Koechner Euthanizing Device (KED). Over three days broilers of 36 (n = 60), 42 (n = 80), or 43 days old (n = 60) were euthanized. On days 2 and 3, a treatment was added in which the bird's head was extended at a similar to 90 degrees angle after application of the KED (KED+). On those days, gap size was recorded between the skull and atlas vertebra by 1-cm increments. The onset of brain death was assessed by recording the nictitating membrane reflex, gasping reflex and musculoskeletal movements (sec). Additionally, skin damage and blood loss were recorded (y/n). On all days, CD resulted in quicker loss of reflexes and movements compared to KED or KED+. Reflexes returned in 0-15% of CD birds, 50-55% of KED birds, and 40-60% of KED+ birds, possibly regaining consciousness. Skin damage occurred in 0% of CD birds, 68-95% of KED birds, and 85-95% of KED+ birds. On day 2 (p = 0.065) and 3 (p = 0.008), KED birds had or tended to have a narrower skull-to-atlas gap compared to CD and KED+ birds. Based on our results, CD would be the recommended method for broilers.