EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STUNNING VOLTAGES ON BLOOD-LOSS, CARCASS QUALIFY AND BREAST MUSCLE PH

Five experiments were conducted to examine the effect of different stu nning voltages on blood loss, carcass quality and breast muscle pH. Br oilers were stunned in a water-bath stunner fur 10 seconds at selected electrical voltages. In the first experiment, the total blood volume (TBV) of the individual broilers was calculated using the formula of K otula and Helbacka (1966b). In the second, third and fourth experiment s, to determine the quality problem of che carcasses, the study adopte d a visual grading system in which the carcasses were individually exa mine by a selected trained panel. Ln the fifth experiment, the pH valu es mere recorded with a digital pH meter (Knick-portamess 751, calmati c, W. Germany) equipped with an Ingold glass electrode (model 453 - S7 ). The percentage of blood loss, was significantly affected by the dif ferent stunning treatment, which averaged 42.3, 38.5, 53,7, 53, and 51 % for 0, 23, 53, 103, and 193 TT AC, respectively. this study indicate d that stunning voltages higher than 100 Tr could be used without any detrimental effect on blood loss as long as the standard bleeding time of 135 seconds is maintained. Adverse effects mere observed on the ca rcass quality and appearance from birds stunned at 103 and 193 V AC, S tunning at 50 V AC resulted in a significantly higher pH up to 4 hours postmortem. After 24 hours post-mortem, no differences were observed in pH values hom birds stunned at 50 or/and 200 V AC. Tt was concluded that stunning at 50 V AC for 10 seconds could, be used without any de tectable adverse effects on blood loss, carcass quality and breast mus cle pH.