• Report of the study on test inter-observer repeatability and feasibility of indicators of consciousness in broiler chicken after WBS and the impact of electrical key parameters on stunning efficiency.

This study is aimed at investigating the pertinence of different animal-based indicators (ABIs) for the assessment of broiler’s state of consciousness after waterbath stunning (WBS) before and during bleeding. A scientific paper was published based on this scientific study: Contreras-Jodar. et al. 2022. Inter-Observer Repeatability of Indicators of Consciousness after Waterbath Stunning in Broiler Chickens.

• Report on the scientific study in commercial slaughterhouses of turkeys with waterbath.

The technical study aimed at evaluating the prevalence and the inter-observer repeatability of the most valid and feasible animal-based indicators of the state of consciousness after waterbath stunning in turkeys before bleeding (tonic seizure, breathing, spontaneous blinking, and vocalisation) and during bleeding (wing flapping, breathing, spontaneous swallowing, and head shaking). In addition, correlations among them were computed to better understand their relationship and offer better insight on reliability of indicators. This was aimed at proposing a refined list of indicators that can be used in commercial slaughterhouses ensuring consistency of assessments. Moreover, the effectiveness of stunning according to different combinations of waterbath electrical key parameters (frequency and current) used in different commercial slaughterhouses was assessed in order to provide general recommendations. A scientific paper was published based on this scientific study: Relevant Indicators of Consciousness after Waterbath Stunning in Turkeys and Stunning Efficiency in Commercial Conditions.

• Report of the assessment of welfare during the exposure to alternative mixtures to carbon dioxide in two phases in broiler chickens