Electrically anaesthetising pigs etc. by forked member with electrodes - pneumatically actuated downwards to grip head, actuator being vented as voltage is applied so upward animal strain returns member

摘要

The method is intended for anaesthetising animals such as pigs, sows, boars, sheep etc. by using a forked member with electrodes either side which is moved vertically downwards by a pneumatic cylinder actuator to grip the head of the animal and apply an anaesthetising current. Simultaneously with the application of the necessary voltage (300-600 V), the cylinder is vented such that the resulting upward straining of the animal returns the member to its rest position. The installation used is pref. arranged at the end of an upward conveyor and has an adjustable sensor to detect the arrival of an animal and, in response, stop the conveyor, pressurises the cylinder and initiate the anaesthetising sequence.