Research Article Open Access

Effect of Light Color on Gas Euthanasia in Neonatal Chickens During Shackling and Corticosterone Levels in Ducks Prior to Slaughter

Authors

Austin Stiewert
Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
|
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Gregory S. Archer
Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
Published on: April 15, 2022
DOI 10.3923/ijps.2022.142.150
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Abstract

Background and Objective: A study was conducted to compare euthanizing neonatal birds with carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas in conjunction with various monochromatic light conditions. A second study investigated the effects of monochromatic lighting on corticosterone concentrations prior to stunning in market age birds. Materials and Methods: Neonatal male layer chicks, broiler chicks and ducklings were used for gas euthanasia study and market age broiler chickens and Pekin ducks were used for pre-stunning study. Neonates were euthanized using carbon dioxide (CO2) or Nitrogen (N), while under one of the following lighting conditions, green (G), blue (B), red (R), white (W), or absence of light (Dark). Results: All neonates euthanized using N took longer (p<0.05) to lose posture than those euthanized with CO2. Cessation of movement was greater (p<0.05) in neonates euthanized with N2 compared to CO2. Greater vocalizations (p<0.05) were observed in neonates euthanized with N2 compared to CO2. While light color did not show differences in vocalizations produced with male layer and broiler chicks, the most vocalizations occurred under the absence of light in ducklings compared to all other colors (p<0.05). Light color also showed differences in loss of posture and cessation of movement (p<0.05), however there was no consistency between species of neonates. Broiler chickens and Pekin ducks resulted in the highest concentration (p<0.05) of corticosterone under Dark, with G resulting in the lowest concentration. Conclusion: CO2 is considered a better means of gaseous euthanasia of neonates compared to N2. It may be beneficial and recommended to provide G lighting for poultry pre-stunning, however light color should be considered based on the species of poultry and their ability to perceive different wavelengths.

Keywords:

Carbon dioxide, neonates, light euthanasia, stress

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Stiewert, A., & Archer , G. S. (2022). Effect of Light Color on Gas Euthanasia in Neonatal Chickens During Shackling and Corticosterone Levels in Ducks Prior to Slaughter. International Journal of Poultry Science, 21(4), 142–150. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2022.142.150
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