The aversiveness of carbon dioxide stunning in pigs and a comparison of the CO(2) stunner crate vs. the V-restrainer.

Animal Welfare Centre, Victorian Institute of Animal Science, Sneydes Road, Private Bag 7, Werribee, Australia

Using aversion learning techniques, the relative aversiveness of CO(2) to pigs in comparison to a shock with an electric prodder, and the aversiveness of a CO(2)-stunner crate in comparison to the aversiveness of a V-belt restrainer used for electric stunning were examined. The results showed that 90% CO(2) was considerably less aversive than an electric shock with a prodder. However, during exposure to 90% CO(2) all pigs lost conscious, which may have affected their memory of the procedure. The pigs remained conscious after exposure to 60% CO(2) and again showed virtually no aversion towards the stunner crate, while an electric shock with a prodder appeared highly aversive. The aversion to the V-restrainer belt and the CO(2) crate were similar.

PMID: 10719190 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]