Texas A&M University (TAMU) ANSC108 General Animal Science Laboratory Final Practice Exam

The correct answer reflects the common practices used in the humane stunning of animals prior to processing. Mechanical methods, such as captive bolt stunning, are designed to give a quick, effective blow to the animal’s skull, leading to immediate unconsciousness. Electrical methods involve applying a current to the animal’s brain, leading to rapid loss of consciousness. Both techniques are recognized in the industry for their effectiveness and adherence to animal welfare standards.

The other methods listed, while they may have applications in other contexts, are not standard practices in stunning for animal processing. Chemical methods, for example, often involve substances that may not immediately render the animal unconscious, and thermal methods are not typically used for stunning. Natural and direct methods are vague and do not specifically refer to accepted practices for stunning animals. Lastly, laser and sonic methods are not common techniques for stunning and are not recognized in conventional practices. Thus, mechanical and electrical methods are established as the correct and commonly used approaches for this purpose.