Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks
Newly hatched male layer chicks are considered as “by-products” in the egg industry and must be humanely euthanized at the hatchery. Instantaneous mechanical destruction (maceration) is the predominant euthanasia method applied in poultry hatcheries and is approved by the American Veterinary Medical...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1802 |
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| author | Xi Wang Dan Zhao Allison C. Milby Gregory S. Archer E. David Peebles Shailesh Gurung Morgan B. Farnell |
| author_facet | Xi Wang Dan Zhao Allison C. Milby Gregory S. Archer E. David Peebles Shailesh Gurung Morgan B. Farnell |
| author_sort | Xi Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Newly hatched male layer chicks are considered as “by-products” in the egg industry and must be humanely euthanized at the hatchery. Instantaneous mechanical destruction (maceration) is the predominant euthanasia method applied in poultry hatcheries and is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). However, maceration is not perceived by the public to be a humane means of euthanasia. The effects of alternative euthanasia methods, including carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) or nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>) inhalation, and a commercial negative pressure stunning system on behavioral and physiological responses of day-of-hatch male layer chicks, were evaluated in a field trial. Chick behaviors, including ataxia, loss of posture, convulsions, cessation of vocalization, and cessation of movement, were monitored. Serum hormones were assessed at the end of each of the alternative euthanasia treatments, including a control group allowed to breathe normal atmospheric air. The N<sub>2</sub> method induced unconsciousness and death later than the CO<sub>2</sub> and negative pressure methods, and increased serum corticosterone concentrations of neonatal chicks. Carbon dioxide inhalation increased serotonin concentrations as compared to controls, as well as the N<sub>2</sub> and the negative pressure methods. The behavioral and physical responses observed in this study suggest that both CO<sub>2</sub> inhalation and negative pressure stunning can be employed to humanely euthanize neonatal male layer chicks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:20:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-093cca2fe76d43d5a5ad86c7223afe52 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:20:07Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-093cca2fe76d43d5a5ad86c7223afe522023-11-22T00:26:24ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-06-01116180210.3390/ani11061802Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer ChicksXi Wang0Dan Zhao1Allison C. Milby2Gregory S. Archer3E. David Peebles4Shailesh Gurung5Morgan B. Farnell6Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USANewly hatched male layer chicks are considered as “by-products” in the egg industry and must be humanely euthanized at the hatchery. Instantaneous mechanical destruction (maceration) is the predominant euthanasia method applied in poultry hatcheries and is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). However, maceration is not perceived by the public to be a humane means of euthanasia. The effects of alternative euthanasia methods, including carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) or nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>) inhalation, and a commercial negative pressure stunning system on behavioral and physiological responses of day-of-hatch male layer chicks, were evaluated in a field trial. Chick behaviors, including ataxia, loss of posture, convulsions, cessation of vocalization, and cessation of movement, were monitored. Serum hormones were assessed at the end of each of the alternative euthanasia treatments, including a control group allowed to breathe normal atmospheric air. The N<sub>2</sub> method induced unconsciousness and death later than the CO<sub>2</sub> and negative pressure methods, and increased serum corticosterone concentrations of neonatal chicks. Carbon dioxide inhalation increased serotonin concentrations as compared to controls, as well as the N<sub>2</sub> and the negative pressure methods. The behavioral and physical responses observed in this study suggest that both CO<sub>2</sub> inhalation and negative pressure stunning can be employed to humanely euthanize neonatal male layer chicks.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1802carbon dioxidechickeneuthanasialow atmospheric pressurenitrogenwelfare |
| spellingShingle | Xi Wang Dan Zhao Allison C. Milby Gregory S. Archer E. David Peebles Shailesh Gurung Morgan B. Farnell Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks Animals carbon dioxide chicken euthanasia low atmospheric pressure nitrogen welfare |
| title | Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks |
| title_full | Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks |
| title_short | Evaluation of Euthanasia Methods on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Newly Hatched Male Layer Chicks |
| title_sort | evaluation of euthanasia methods on behavioral and physiological responses of newly hatched male layer chicks |
| topic | carbon dioxide chicken euthanasia low atmospheric pressure nitrogen welfare |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1802 |
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