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Welfare Implications of the Gas Stunning of Pigs 1. Determination of Aversion to the Initial Inhalation of Carbon Dioxide or Argon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

ABM Raj  and
N G Gregory
ABM Raj*
Affiliation:
Division of Food Animal Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY
N G Gregory
Affiliation:
Division of Food Animal Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY Faculty of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
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Abstract

The aversive effects of 90 per cent argon in air, 30 per cent carbon dioxide in air or 90 per cent carbon dioxide in air were investigated in slaughter weight pigs. Aversion was assessed from their reluctance to enter the three gaseous atmospheres to obtain a reward (apples). The pigs did not show any aversion to the inhalation of 90 per cent argon in air. The majority of the pigs did not show aversion to the presence of 30 per cent carbon dioxide in air. By contrast, the inhalation of 90 per cent carbon dioxide was aversive to the majority of the pigs. Fasting them for up to 24h prior to testing did not overcome the pigs ‘ reluctance to enter an atmosphere containing 90 per cent carbon dioxide.

Keywords

animal welfareargonaversioncarbon dioxideinhalationpigsstunning
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , November 1995 , pp. 273 - 280
Copyright
© 1995 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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References

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