Controlled Atmosphere Killing
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Controlled Atmosphere Killing (CAK) is a method for slaughtering animals such as chickens by placing the animals in a container in which the atmosphere lacks oxygen and is made up of argon and/or nitrogen and/or CO2, causing the animals to lose consciousness. Argon and nitrogen are important components of a painless gassing process which seem to cause no pain (nor do they in humans), and for this reason many consider it more humane than other methods of killing.[1][2]
Portable units are available. Controlled atmosphere stunning has been used both within processing plants and on-farm for euthanizing poultry. One portable unit type that costs $2,500 can be pushed down the aisles of a barn, with 200–250 hens per load being placed inside a CO2 enriched chamber. Hens are unconscious within 20 seconds of being in the chamber.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources and notes
- ^ PETA's Animal Times, UK, Autumn 2005.
- ^ a b The Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada article The Disposal of Spent Laying Hens by Jacqueline Wepruk
