Section 1246.5 - Administration of Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, and Argon Gas; Required Effect; HandlingWhere the carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or argon gas mixture is used for the humane slaughter of poultry, it shall be subject to the following requirements.
(a) The poultry shall be delivered to the chamber in the transport cages or other equipment to prevent excessive handling and stress. The delivery of poultry to the chamber shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the poultry. Delivery of calm poultry to the chamber is essential to effective and humane slaughter.(b) The carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or argon gases shall be administered in a chamber or, in the case of ratites, via a properly fitted mask or hood, meeting the requirements of this section and section 1246.4. The poultry shall be exposed to a carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or argon gas ratio sufficient to accomplish effective surgical anesthesia, unconsciousness or death quickly and calmly, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the poultry. The exposure shall produce, at a minimum, surgical anesthesia in the poultry before severing both of the carotid arteries in the neck or decapitating the poultry. To ensure adequate bleeding in each bird, bleeding shall be done immediately after stunning or killing.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 3, § 1246.5
1. Renumbering of former section 1245.6 to new section 1246.5, including amendment of section heading, section and NOTE, filed 3-19-2009; operative 4-18-2009 (Register 2009, No. 12). Note: Authority cited: Sections 407 and 19501.5, Food and Agricultural Code. Reference: Sections 19501 and 19501.5, Food and Agricultural Code.
1. Renumbering of former section 1245.6 to new section 1246.5, including amendment of section heading, section and Note, filed 3-19-2009; operative 4-18-2009 (Register 2009, No. 12).