Stunning Pigs with a B&D

Stunner

Erika L. Voogd

Voogd Consulting, Inc.

2013
For pigs larger than 200 pounds,

extend wand tips to assure

correct stun wand contact

Extended tips with extra star wheels. Stainless steel star wheels

(spurs) conduct better than carbon steel
Wand extensions and star

wheels (spurs) are now available

from Best and Donovan

Wand extensions, Part # 9600017 and additional stainless steel star

wheels (spurs) Part # 9603900 are available from Best and Donovan
The extended wand tips and extra

star wheels (spurs) assure correct

stun wand contact with brain

Locate wand as close to the ear as

possible, in the thin crevice. Note

that this wand has two sets of star

wheels for small and large pigs

Longer, wider wand tips help to

facilitate secure contact on the

head of larger pigs
It is best to restrain the pig,

during stunning to prevent stun

wand slips or pig falling

Insulated swing gate and wall to

restrain the animal during stun

Restraining the pig during stun

can assure an effective stun.

Wooden gate is non-conductive
Insulate the stun box to prevent

grounding during stun

Truck rubber mats on floor and

wall. Coated metal gate.

Plastic lining in stun box area to

insulate electrical current
At startup: Inspect and test the

wand, prior to use

Turn on the stunner. Press the stunner button to test wand

Observe wand for electrical

shorts. Service if necessary
Select the Correct Voltage for the

size and weight of the pig

Model ‘ES’ Stunner settings Best and Donovan

recommended voltages

Hog Weight (lbs.) Voltage

100 to 250 360

250 to 350 400

350 to 500 420

500 to 650 460

650 to 800 520

800 to 1200 580
Prior to stunning, be sure the

head and heart of each pig is wet

Automatic shower in holding

pen

It is best to wet hogs prior to

entry in the stun box area
Stun the head for a minimum of 3

seconds

Place wand as close to the ear

as possible

Target the pocket of the ear to

assure that the brain is stunned
Check the eye to assure that the

pig is insensible before stunning

the heart

Inspect the eye of the pig, but do

not touch it. There should be no

natural blinking

If the pig is still sensible, re-stun

the head before stunning the

heart
Stun the heart for a minimum of

3 seconds

Stun the heart of the pig Target placement of the wand

contacts behind the arm pit and

on the chest
Check the eye to assure that the

pig is insensible before hoisting

and before bleeding

Inspect the eye of the pig, there

should be no natural blinking.

You can wave a hand in front of

the eye and look for “tracking or

movement”.

Do not touch the eye, as corneal

reflex may still be present on an

electrically stunned pig
In electrically stunned pigs,

gasping is a sign of a dying brain

Agonal gasping occurs when

the pig’s mouth opens and

closes and the head jerks

slightly (like a fish out of water)

Rapid seizure blinking and

nystagmus (eye vibration) can also

occur in electrically stunned

animals
Signs of Return to Sensibility

(Beginning to regain

consciousness)

Eye is focused and pig is

blinking naturally

Rhythmic breathing: Sides are

moving up and down
Signs of

Sensibility

(Fully Conscious)

Vocalization Righting Reflex: The pig tries

to lift it’s head and right itself

Re-stun (if necessary)

before bleeding

(captive bolt)

Correct location for captive bolt

or free bullet stunning of a pig

Correct bolt

location and

angle to show

brain destruction
Re-stun if necessary before

bleeding (electrical)

If the pig is still sensible, re-stun

the head first Then re-stun the heart
Bleeding should be rapid with a

large volume

If a large volume of blood does

not appear, re-stick the pig

Good

Bleed

Weak bleed

For head/heart stun, target to

bleed the pig within 30 seconds,

with a maximum of 60 seconds

between stun and bleed
Routinely clean the stun wand,

approximately every 5 pigs

Use a steel brush or a green pad

Unplug the stun wand prior to to clean the wand

cleaning
Smoking indicates poor stun

wand conductivity, immediately

clean the stun wand contacts

Smoking indicates poor

conductivity

Use a steel brush or a green pad

to clean the wand
After production, clean the stun

wand and store the stunner and

wand in a clean, dry location

away from the plant floor

Store equipment in a dry

location when not in use

Do not store the stunner on the

plant floor
Follow manufacturer’s

recommendations for equipment

maintenance

Document equipment cleaning

and maintenance

Manufacturer’s

recommendations
For more information

Voogd Consulting, Inc.

Webpage

contains information about

head/heart stunning of pigs

Dr. Temple Grandin’s Webpage

Best and Donovan Webpage

www.grandin.com

www.bestanddonovan.com/

stunner/stunner.htm

www.voogdconsulting.com

1-800-553-BEST (2378) Ext. 3737