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Transcranial magnetic stunning of broilers: a preliminary trial to induce unconsciousness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

E Lambooij ,
H Anil ,
SR Butler ,
H Reimert ,
L Workel  and
V Hindle
E Lambooij*
Affiliation:
Wageningen UR, Livestock Research, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
H Anil
Affiliation:
University of Bristol, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Langford BS40 5DU, UK
SR Butler
Affiliation:
University of Bristol, Burden Neurological Institute, Bristol BS16 1JB, UK
H Reimert
Affiliation:
Wageningen UR, Livestock Research, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
L Workel
Affiliation:
Wageningen UR, Livestock Research, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
V Hindle
Affiliation:
Wageningen UR, Livestock Research, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: bert.lambooij@wur.nl
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Abstract

This study was performed to identify whether non-focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with an adapted coil for broilers has the potential for use as a non-invasive stunning method for broilers. Application of the TMS probe resulted in dominance of theta and delta waves and appearance of spikes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) after stimulation. Correlation dimension (CD) analyses of the EEG signals recorded prior to and following the application of TMS suggested that the birds might be unconscious for approximately 15 to 20 s assuming that a reduction in CD to 60% of the baseline value indicates unconsciousness. Other observations included loss of behavioural arousal or muscle tone (muscle flaccidity), and irregular heart rate after TMS. It can be suggested that TMS has the potential to be developed as a stunning method in the future. The technique, evaluated using small number of broilers in this study, requires further improvement and the use of a power supply optimised in future research. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain has potential for application as a non-invasive stunning method for broilers, which could be acceptable to some religious groups opposed to the use of established or conventional stunning methods.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourbrain and heart activitybroilerssingle and double coiltranscranial magnetic stunning
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , August 2011 , pp. 407 - 412
Copyright
© 2011 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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