# Methods of animal euthanasia (chicken)

Irène Gabriel, Christine Pissavin-Castillo, Lotte Bjerrum, Maria Francesch, Henrik Christensen, Frederic Hilbert, Julie Putterflam, Cesare Castellini

► To cite this version:

Irène Gabriel, Christine Pissavin-Castillo, Lotte Bjerrum, Maria Francesch, Henrik Christensen, et al. Methods of animal euthanasia (chicken): for experiments for UE project PoultryFlorGut (2005-2008). 2005. [hal-03369612](https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03369612)

HAL Id: hal-03369612

https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03369612

Preprint submitted on 4 Oct 2022

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Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
# Method of animal euthanasia (chicken)
## for experiments for UE project PoultryFlorGut (2005-2008)

**Writer**: INRA : Irène GABRIEL gabriel@tours.inra.fr

**Co-writers**: Christine Pissavin-Castillo, Lotte Bjerrum, Maria Francesch, Henrik Christensen, Frederic Hilbert, Julie Putterflam, Cesare Castellini

Each partner will use the method that he is trained with, providing that it is in agreement with the scientific objectives and the rules on animal welfare. To match the scientific objective is necessary to minimize peristaltic movement while the animals are dying to avoid unwanted movements of the digestive contents.

<table><caption>**Table 1 : Methods used by the different partners**</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>Partner</th><th>Method used</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="5">Experimental condition</td><td>AFSSA</td><td>Electronarcose<br>Lethal dose of anesthetic (intravenous injection of pentobarbital sodic, 82 mg/ kg)</td></tr><tr><td>DFVF</td><td>Cranial blow followed by decapitation</td></tr><tr><td>INRA</td><td>Lethal dose of anesthetic (intracardiac or intravenous injection of pentobarbital sodic, 82 mg/ kg)<br>CO<sub>2</sub></td></tr><tr><td>IRTA</td><td>Cervical dislocation<br>Anaesthetic overdose intravenous injection<br>Tiobarbital: 150 mg / kg body weight</td></tr><tr><td>KVL</td><td>Cervical dislocation<br>Decapitation</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Field condition</td><td>VU</td><td>Slaughtering house (Electric choc and bleeding)</td></tr><tr><td>ITAVI</td><td>Knocked out and bleed</td></tr><tr><td>UNIPG</td><td>Cervical dislocation</td></tr></tbody></table>

<caption>**Table 2. Effect of euthanasia method on digestive tract**</caption>

Little information are available, particularly on poultry

<table><thead><tr><th>Killing method</th><th>Animal species</th><th>Effect on digestive tract</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="5">Pentobarbital sodic</td><td>Small mammals (rat, mice, guinea pig, rabbit)</td><td>Intracardial injection suitable for histological examination of abdominal viscera (Feldman et Gupta, 1976)</td></tr><tr><td>rat</td><td>intraperitoneal pentobarbital overdose modifies colon smooth muscle contractility (Butler et al, 1990)</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Orally or intravenously administration of pentobarbital depresses gastrointestinal smooth muscle contractility and tends to decrease the tonus of the gastrointestinal musculature and the amplitude of rhythmic contractions (Harvey, 1980)</td></tr><tr><td>rabbit</td><td>Intraveinous pentobarbital overdose has no effect on ileal smooth muscle contractility (Butler et al, 1990)</td></tr><tr><td>Small mammals (rat, mice, guinea pig, rabbit)</td><td>suitable for histological examination of abdominal viscera (Feldman et Gupta, 1976)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">CO2</td><td>rat</td><td>no effect on colon smooth muscle contractility (Butler et al, 1990)</td></tr><tr><td>rabbit</td><td>no effect on ileal smooth muscle contractility (Butler et al, 1990)</td></tr><tr><td>Chicken</td><td>no movement of caecal microflora observed by scintigraphy between live and CO2 slaughtered birds (Isabelle Virlogeux, INRA, PII, com. Pers.).</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></table>

In order to avoid movement of digestive content, it is better to use a rapid method of euthanasia, and as soon as bird is dead, to open the abdominal cavity, ligate the intestinal segment, and remove it from the abdominal cavity.

<caption>Table 3. European rules according to Close et al (1996, 1997)</caption>

For more details see Close et al (1996, 1997)

<table><thead><tr><th>Agent</th><th>Rapidity</th><th>Efficacity</th><th>Facility</th><th>Sécurity</th><th>Validity<br>De 1 à 5</th><th>Comments</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Pentobarbital</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>5</td><td>Appropriate</td></tr><tr><td>T - 61</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>4</td><td>Appropriate<br>for small birds</td></tr><tr><td>CO2</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>4</td><td>Appropriate</td></tr><tr><td>Halothane<br>Isoflurane</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>+</td><td>4</td><td>Appropriate</td></tr><tr><td>Cervical<br>dislocation</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>-</td><td>++</td><td>4</td><td>Birds<br>less than 200 g<sup>1</sup></td></tr><tr><td>Microwave<br>irradiation</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>-</td><td>++</td><td>3</td><td>By experienced<br>people</td></tr><tr><td>Blow</td><td>++</td><td>++</td><td>-</td><td>++</td><td>3</td><td>Birds<br>less than 250 g<sup>1</sup></td></tr><tr><td>CO</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>++</td><td>-</td><td>2</td><td>Dangerous</td></tr><tr><td>Electric<br>shock</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>-</td><td>1</td><td>Dangerous</td></tr></tbody></table>

Remarks: decapitation except motivated experimental constraint, and bleed can be acceptable only if animals have been submitted to previous sedation (chemical or physical means)

<footnote n="1">¹ Broiler chicken of about 10-11 d.</footnote>
Figure : Appendix A to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, Guidelines for accomodation and care of animals(Article 5 of the Convention, http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/treaties/html/123-A.htm#3.12 ) :

**3.12. Humane killing of animals**

3.12.1. All humane methods of killing animals require expertise which can only be attained by appropriate training.

3.12.2. A deeply unconscious animal can be exsanguinated but drugs which paralyse muscles before unconsciousness occurs, those with curariform effects and electrocution without passage of current through the brain, should not be used without prior anaesthesia.

Carcass disposal should not be allowed until *rigor mortis* occurs.

**References**

Butler, M.M., Griffey, S.M., Clubb, F.J.J., Gerrity, L.W., Campbell, W.B., 1990. The effect of euthanasia technique on vascular arachidonic acid metabolism and vascular and intestinal smooth muscle contractility. Lab. Anim. Sci. 40, 277-283.

Close, B., et al. 1996. Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: part 1. Lab. Anim. 30, 293-316.

Close, B., et al, 1997. Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: part 2. Lab. Anim. 31, 1-32.

Feldman, D.B., Gupta, B.N., 1976. Histopathologic changes in laboratory animals resulting from various methods of euthanasia. Lab. Anim. Sci. 26, 218-221.

Harvey, S.C., 1980. Hypnotics and sedatives. In Gilman, A.G., Goodman, L.S., Gilman, A., eds. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, N.Y., 1980; 355.