The use of poultry water bath stunner is a legal method for poultry stunning. And it is still the most widespread method used in poultry slaughter houses. It is a basic requirement for humane slaughter of poultry that they must be stunned and induced a state of unconsciousness and insensibility as soon as possible.
It is important to ensure that chicken does not recover while exsanguinated. The inducing of insensibility by stunning is necessary for performing humane neck cutting and avoiding recovery of consciousness. Stunning has to produce sufficient immovability to alleviate the initiation of blood drainage. Before stunning and killing poultry, the most important thing is to avoid injuries to the bird that could influence the quality of the final meat product.
In the water bath stunner, poultry are hung by the legs in the shackles. While their heads pass the water bath, stunning is done electrically by immersion of the chicken head and neck, where electrodes and the shackle guide deliver the stunning shock. The chicken water bath stunner can guarantee that stunning is done effectively. The stunning will cause an immediate loss of consciousness, and it will remain till the death of chicken. During this state of unconsciousness bird feels no pain, and doesn't experience stress or fear. Each bird can become the best quality meat product, but to ensure that, it is necessary to provide appropriate conditions for them, such as avoiding that they become stressed. It is important that birds are not frightened and restless. It is recommended that birds stay in the transportation cages until hanging. This might reduce the stress of chicken. As mentioned above, stress can lead to deterioration of meat quality.