Signs of a Properly Stunned Animal by Stunning Method: From the 2010 Edition of Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide
Head Tongue Back Eyes Limbs Vocalization Respiration Tail Response to pain
Cattle – Captive Bolt Must appear dead, hang straight and floppy Straight and limp Hanging straight, no righting reflex No natural blinking; Wide open, blank stare; no response to touch; nystagmus absent Uncoordinated kicking of hind legs acceptable; No righting reflex present None Rythmic breathing (ribs moving in and out at least twice) is absent; Agonal gasping not acceptable Relaxes shortly after being on the rail A pinch or pinprick may be applied to nose only and NO response should be observed
Cattle – Electric Must appear dead, hang straight and floppy Straight and limp Hanging straight, no righting reflex Eyes may vibrate (Nystagmus), but no natural blinking Uncoordinated kicking of hind legs acceptable; No righting reflex present None Agonal gasping like a fish out of water normal; Rhythmic breating (ribs moving in and out at least twice) is absent Relaxes shortly after being on the rail A pinch or pinprick may be applied to nose only and NO response should be observed
Pigs – CO2 Must appear dead, hang straight and floppy Straight and limp Hanging straight, no righting reflex No natural blinking Uncoordinated kicking of hind legs acceptable; No righting reflex present None Agonal gasping like a fish out of water normal; Rhythmic breating (ribs moving in and out at least twice) is absent Relaxes shortly after being on the rail A pinch or pinprick may be applied to nose only and NO response should be observed
Pigs – Electric Must appear dead, hang straight and floppy Straight and limp Hanging straight, no righting reflex Eyes may vibrate (Nystagmus), but no natural blinking Uncoordinated kicking of hind legs acceptable; No righting reflex present None Agonal gasping like a fish out of water normal; Rhythmic breating (ribs moving in and out at least twice) is absent Relaxes shortly after being on the rail A pinch or pinprick may be applied to nose only and NO response should be observed
Pigs – Captive Bolt Must appear dead, hang straight and floppy Straight and limp Hanging straight, no righting reflex No natural blinking; Wide open, blank stare; no response to touch; nystagmus absent Uncoordinated kicking of hind legs acceptable; No righting reflex present None Rythmic breathing (ribs moving in and out at least twice) is absent; Agonal gasping not acceptable Relaxes shortly after being on the rail A pinch or pinprick may be applied to nose only and NO response should be observed
Sheep – Electric Must appear dead; neck hangs on an angle with limp and floppy head Straight and limp Due to anatomical differences in sheep, neck may not hang completely straight; No righting reflex Eyes may vibrate (Nystagmus), but no natural blinking Uncoordinated kicking of hind legs acceptable; No righting reflex present None Agonal gasping like a fish out of water normal; Rhythmic breating (ribs moving in and out at least twice) is absent Relaxes shortly after being on the rail A pinch or pinprick may be applied to nose only and NO response should be observed

 

by Temple Grandin
Dept. of Animal Science
Colorado State University

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