TED's Story
TED was conceived over a cup of coffee on a cold dreary morning when a turkey veterinarian and a machinist decided to tackle ideas caught up in the head of the veterinarian. Cargill, a supplier of meat protein, has challenged their employees to continually improve practices of animal handling, efficiency, environmental stewardship and safety. That challenge led the turkey production team to consider on-farm practices for euthanasia of cull stock, the relative safety to the operator and the negative visual impact of some methods. Numerous alternative methods were discussed, evaluated and postulated. The primary drivers for consideration were:
Safety for the operator
Rapid insensibility of subject
Consistent results
Ease of application
Agreement with AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines
Captive bolt technology has been used on-farm and in some processing plants for stunning/killing with considerable effectiveness in multiple species. Unfortunately, the devices are cumbersome, require an electrical connection, and an exogenous air compressor or explosive charge. This led the turkey vet to envision a portable cylinder-powered nail gun adapted to work as a captive bolt stunner. A visit to the machinist resulted in a conceptual sketch from which the machinist produced a prototype for evaluation. The first application led to minor design adjustments resulting in 100% reproducible consistency. Multiple safety mechanisms have been incorporated, the unit is light weight and completely portable, meets AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines and causes rapid insensibility. Proper training in application is necessary to ensure effective delivery but is simple and results in 100% effective implementation when followed.
Limited use has demonstrated value of this device for responding to live animal transport emergencies, culling large (>15 lbs) birds and general on-farm euthanasia resulting in rapid death with minimal agonal movement.
Safety for the operator
Rapid insensibility of subject
Consistent results
Ease of application
Agreement with AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines
Captive bolt technology has been used on-farm and in some processing plants for stunning/killing with considerable effectiveness in multiple species. Unfortunately, the devices are cumbersome, require an electrical connection, and an exogenous air compressor or explosive charge. This led the turkey vet to envision a portable cylinder-powered nail gun adapted to work as a captive bolt stunner. A visit to the machinist resulted in a conceptual sketch from which the machinist produced a prototype for evaluation. The first application led to minor design adjustments resulting in 100% reproducible consistency. Multiple safety mechanisms have been incorporated, the unit is light weight and completely portable, meets AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines and causes rapid insensibility. Proper training in application is necessary to ensure effective delivery but is simple and results in 100% effective implementation when followed.
Limited use has demonstrated value of this device for responding to live animal transport emergencies, culling large (>15 lbs) birds and general on-farm euthanasia resulting in rapid death with minimal agonal movement.