Evaluation of methods of rapid mass killing of segregated early weaned piglets.
The operational logistics of mass killing of healthy, surplus piglets by manual blunt force trauma, controlled blunt force trauma, intraperitoneal injection of barbiturate, and free bullet were recorded. Objective performance variables evaluated were, speed of application, human resource and input cost, animal restraint required, and failure rate. Subjective evaluation of esthetics and difficulty of application indicated manual blunt force trauma is an unacceptable technique. Under field conditions, physical methods of killing were superior to intraperitoneal injection of concentrated pentobarbital. Considering animal welfare metrics in isolation, controlled blunt force trauma was superior to all other techniques attempted.
Office of the Chief Veterinarian, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, 545 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6. terry.whiting@gov.mb.ca
Terry L
TL
Whiting
Gregory G
GG
Steele
Steinar
S
Wamnes
Chris
C
Green
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000379:methods*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal / Q000662:veterinary; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013552:Swine; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000662:veterinary*
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D010424:Pentobarbital