mechanical stunning

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Mechanical stunning is a method used in livestock slaughter to render animals unconscious, ensuring a humane process and improving meat quality. This technique involves using a pneumatic device or pistol to fire a bolt through the animal's skull. It is one of three common stunning methods, alongside electrical stunning and carbon dioxide gas stunning. The Humane Slaughter Act in the United States mandates the humane treatment of animals during slaughter, including the stunning process. Cattle, calves, and sheep are often stunned mechanically, though some sheep facilities also use electrical stunning.12

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meat processing
Stunning
…common methods of stunning are mechanical, electrical, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas. The end result of each method is to render the animal unconscious. Mechanical stunning involves firing a bolt through the skull of the animal using a pneumatic device or pistol. Electrical stunning passes a current of electricity through…
Read More
…common methods of stunning are mechanical, electrical, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas. The end result of each method is to render the animal unconscious. Mechanical stunning involves firing a bolt through the skull of the animal using a pneumatic device or pistol. Electrical stunning passes a current of electricity through…
Read More