A new humane method of stunning broilers using low atmospheric pressure

The use of toxic gas mixtures to stun broiler chickens before exsanguination continues to be controversial. This controversy concerns which gas mixture to use, the required structural modifications to the processing plant, and whether the methods are actually more humane than electrical stunning. In response to these criticisms, a system was designed and constructed to produce a controlled atmosphere by using reduced oxygen tension. In all these systems, the birds are rendered unconscious from a lack of oxygen. Low atmospheric pressure is achieved by using controlled slow decompression, which allows the body of the bird to adjust to changes in pressure and thus lose consciousness with minimal discomfort. Advantages include the absence of toxic gases, minimal plant modifications, and the ability to view the birds throughout the process via digital video feed, which can be recorded.