{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]],"date-time":"2026-06-04T21:27:54Z","timestamp":1780608474295,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2018,1,10]],"date-time":"2018-01-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1515542400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Urgent development of alternative on-farm killing methods for poultry is required following the number restrictions placed on the use of traditional manual cervical dislocation by European Legislation (EU 1099\/2009). Alternatives must be proven to be humane and, crucially, practical in commercial settings with multiple users. We assessed the performance and reliability of a novel mechanical cervical dislocation device (NMCD) compared to the traditional manual cervical dislocation (MCD) method. NMCD was based on a novel device consisting of a thin supportive glove and two moveable metal finger inserts designed to aid the twisting motion of cervical dislocation. We employed a 2 \u00d7 2 factorial design, with a total of eight stockworkers from broiler and layer units (four per farm) each killing 70 birds per method. A successful kill performance was defined as immediate absence of rhythmic breathing and nictitating membrane reflex; a detectable gap in the vertebrae and only one kill attempt (i.e., one stretch and twist motion). The mean stockworker kill performance was significantly higher for MCD (98.4 \u00b1 0.5%) compared to NMCD (81.6 \u00b1 1.8%). However, the MCD technique normally used by the stockworkers (based previous in-house training received) affected the performance of NMCD and was confounded by unit type (broilers), with the majority of broiler stockworkers trained in a non-standard technique, making adaption to the NMCD more difficult. The consistency of trauma induced by the killing methods (based on several post-mortem parameters) was higher with NMCD demonstrated by \u201cgold standard\u201d trauma achieved in 30.2% of birds, compared to 11.4% for MCD (e.g., dislocation higher up the cervical region of the spine i.e., between vertebrae C0\u2013C1, \u22651 carotid arteries severed), suggesting it has the potential to improve welfare at killing. However, the results also suggest that the NMCD method requires further refinement and training optimization in order for it to be acceptable as an alternative across poultry industry, irrespective of previous MCD technique and training.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani8010010","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2018,1,10]],"date-time":"2018-01-10T12:41:10Z","timestamp":1515588070000},"page":"10","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["On Farm Evaluation of a Novel Mechanical Cervical Dislocation Device for Poultry"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"8","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0294-8770","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jessica","family":"Martin","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Campus, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Victoria","family":"Sandilands","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Monogastric Science Research Centre, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Group, SRUC, Auchincruive Campus, Ayr KA6 5HW, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Julian","family":"Sparrey","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Livetec Systems Ltd., Building 52, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Laurence","family":"Baker","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Monogastric Science Research Centre, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Group, SRUC, Auchincruive Campus, Ayr KA6 5HW, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dorothy","family":"McKeegan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary &amp; Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2018,1,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"737","DOI":"10.1017\/S0043933914000816","article-title":"Current and novel methods for killing poultry individually on-farm","volume":"70","author":"Sparrey","year":"2014","journal-title":"Worlds Poult. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.2008-00120","article-title":"Remote monitoring of electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, and behavior during controlled atmosphere stunning in broilers: Implications for welfare","volume":"88","author":"Coenen","year":"2009","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"HSA (2004). Practical Slaughter of Poultry: A Guide for the Small Producer."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1016\/S0168-1591(98)00214-7","article-title":"Behavioural responses during exposure of broiler chickens to different gas mixtures","volume":"62","author":"Lambooij","year":"1999","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1294","DOI":"10.1093\/ps\/83.8.1294","article-title":"On-farm euthanasia of broiler chickens: Effects of different gas mixtures on behavior and brain activity","volume":"83","author":"Gerritzen","year":"2004","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1145","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.2012-02587","article-title":"Physiological and behavioural responses of poultry exposed to gas filled high expansion foam","volume":"92","author":"McKeegan","year":"2013","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"546","DOI":"10.3382\/japr.2014-00977","article-title":"Anatomical and histologic pathology induced by cervical dislocation following blunt head trauma for on-farm euthanasia of poultry","volume":"23","author":"Bader","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_8","unstructured":"Coles, B.H. (1997). Avian Medicine and Surgery, Blackwell Science Ltd."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1345","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.2009-00445","article-title":"Using time insensibility and estimated time of death to evaluate a nonpenetrating captive bolt, cervical dislocation, and blunt trauma for on-farm killing of turkeys","volume":"89","author":"Erasmus","year":"2010","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"850","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.c5051","article-title":"Brain and skull lesions resulting from use of percussive bolt, cervical dislocation by stretching, cervical dislocation by crushing and blunt trauma in turkeys","volume":"167","author":"Erasmus","year":"2010","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"570","article-title":"Comparison of neck dislocation and percussion of the head on visual evoked responses in the chicken\u2019s brain","volume":"126","author":"Gregory","year":"1990","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"216","DOI":"10.1080\/00071668.2017.1280724","article-title":"Evaluation of potential killing performance of novel percussive and cervical dislocation tools in chicken cadavers","volume":"58","author":"Martin","year":"2017","journal-title":"Brit. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.7120\/09627286.25.2.227","article-title":"Comparison of novel mechanical cervical dislocation and a modified captive bolt for on-farm killing of poultry on behavioural reflex responses and anatomical pathology","volume":"25","author":"Martin","year":"2016","journal-title":"Anim. Welf."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"220","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.164.7.220","article-title":"Methods for dispatching backyard poultry","volume":"164","author":"Mason","year":"2009","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1080\/00071668608416872","article-title":"Effect of slaughter on the spontaneous and evoked activity of the brain","volume":"27","author":"Gregory","year":"1986","journal-title":"Brit. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"570","article-title":"Loss of Cortical Function in Mice after Decapitation, Cervical Dislocation, Potassium Chloride Injection, and CO2 Inhalation","volume":"57","author":"Cartner","year":"2007","journal-title":"Comp. Med."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.1080\/00480169.1987.35377","article-title":"Slaughter methods: Electroencephalographs (EEG) studies on spinal cord section, decaptitation and gross trauma of the brain in lambs","volume":"35","author":"Tidswell","year":"1987","journal-title":"N. Z. Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"352","article-title":"Assessing cervical dislocation as a humane euthanasia method for mice","volume":"51","author":"Carbone","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Am. Assoc. Lab. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"European Council (2012, May 11). European Council Regulation (EC) 1099\/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing, Available online: https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/325000\/regulation_1099_2009_en.pdf."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1080\/00071660120055232","article-title":"Evaluation of a pneumatically operated captive bolt for stunning\/killing broiler chickens","volume":"42","author":"Raj","year":"2001","journal-title":"Brit. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Sandercock, D.A., Sparrey, J.M., Martin, J.E., Baker, L., and Sandilands, V. (2012). Evaluation of the Turkey Euthanasia Device (TED). Supplement Study (February 2012)\u2014DEFRA on Farm Culling Methods (MH0145)."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Martin, J.E. (2015). Humane Mechanical Methods to Kill Poultry On-Farm. [Ph.D. Thesis, University of Glasgow]."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.3382\/japr.2009-00103","article-title":"Measures of insensibility used to determine effective stunning and killing of poultry","volume":"19","author":"Erasmus","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"587","DOI":"10.1016\/S1094-9194(17)30064-6","article-title":"Perioperative supportive care and monitoring","volume":"3","author":"Heard","year":"2000","journal-title":"Vet. Clin. N. Am. Exot. Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physbeh.2014.05.030","article-title":"Avian reflex and electroencephalogram responses in different states of consciousness","volume":"133","author":"Sandercock","year":"2014","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1016\/0309-1740(91)90030-T","article-title":"Studies on the return of physical reflexes in pigs following electrical stunning","volume":"30","author":"Anil","year":"1991","journal-title":"Meat Sci."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"460","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.145.16.460","article-title":"Potential contamination of beef carcasses with brain tissue at slaughter","volume":"145","author":"Anil","year":"1999","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"206","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-5827.1961.tb04119.x","article-title":"The photomotor reflex as an indicator of consciousness in the immobolized dog","volume":"2","author":"Croft","year":"1961","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Prac."},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"Beynon, P.H., Forbes, N.A., and Lawton, M.P.C. (1996). Anaesthesia. Manual of Psittacine Birds, Iowa State University Press."},{"key":"ref_30","unstructured":"McKeegan, D.E.F., Martin, J.E., Sandilands, V., Sandercock, D.A., Sparrey, J.M., and Sparks, N.H.C. (2014). Welfare Costs and Benefits of Existing and Novel On-Farm Culling Methods for Poultry (MH0145)."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1016\/0021-9290(70)90046-1","article-title":"Overstretching of and Circumscribed Pathological Tension in the Spinal Cord\u2014A Basic Cause of Symptoms in Cord Disorders","volume":"3","author":"Brieg","year":"1970","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"254","DOI":"10.1097\/00002826-200109000-00002","article-title":"Acute Spinal Cord Injury, Part I: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms","volume":"24","author":"Dumont","year":"2001","journal-title":"Clin. Neuropharmacol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1097\/00002826-200109000-00003","article-title":"Acute Spinal Cord Injury, Part II: Contemporary Pharmacotherapy","volume":"24","author":"Dumont","year":"2001","journal-title":"Clin. Neuropharmacol."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"765","DOI":"10.1016\/S0306-4522(01)00596-6","article-title":"Pathological Changes of Isolated Spinal Cord Axons in Response to Mechanical Stretch","volume":"110","author":"Shi","year":"2002","journal-title":"Neuroscience"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1016\/S0006-8993(02)02822-6","article-title":"Inter-relationships between spinal cord blood flow, neuronal death and neurological function in rabbit spinal cord ischemia","volume":"946","author":"Weir","year":"2002","journal-title":"Brain Res."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"633","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/97.1.633","article-title":"Cerebral concussion and traumatic unconsciousness","volume":"97","author":"Ommaya","year":"1974","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"501","DOI":"10.1227\/00006123-199209000-00012","article-title":"Lateral Cervical Spine Dislocation and Vertebral Artery Injury","volume":"31","author":"Parent","year":"1992","journal-title":"Neurosurgery"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1017\/S0962728600024301","article-title":"Assessing pain in animals","volume":"11","author":"Rutherford","year":"2002","journal-title":"Anim. Welf."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"433","DOI":"10.1097\/00000658-195304000-00001","article-title":"Experimental Observations of Concussion and Contusions of the Spinal Cord","volume":"137","author":"Freeman","year":"1953","journal-title":"Ann. Surg."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"340","DOI":"10.1097\/00007632-200102150-00008","article-title":"The Cause of Neurologic Deterioration after Acute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury","volume":"26","author":"Harrop","year":"2001","journal-title":"Spine"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"344","DOI":"10.1016\/S0301-0082(02)00018-7","article-title":"The neurophysiology of concussion","volume":"67","author":"Shaw","year":"2002","journal-title":"Prog. Neurobiol."},{"key":"ref_42","first-page":"6","article-title":"Fractures, Dislocations, and Fracture-dislocations of the Spine","volume":"45","author":"Holdsworth","year":"1962","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"714","DOI":"10.1097\/00003246-198807000-00015","article-title":"Brain cell death after ischemia and reperfusion: A proposed biochemical sequence","volume":"16","author":"Krause","year":"1988","journal-title":"Crit. Care Med."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"357","DOI":"10.1177\/15648265070282S215","article-title":"Avian influenza H5N1: Risks at the human-animal interface","volume":"28","author":"Mumford","year":"2007","journal-title":"Food Nutr. Bull."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/8\/1\/10\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T14:50:42Z","timestamp":1760194242000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/8\/1\/10"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2018,1,10]]},"references-count":44,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2018,1]]}},"alternative-id":["ani8010010"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani8010010","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2018,1,10]]}}}