Veal calves that are stunned with either penetrating or non-penetrating captive bolt can be scored using the cattle audit forms. The minimum acceptable standards are:

95% of the calves stunned with one shot.

100% of the calves are rendered insensible; Insensibility criteria are the same as captive bolt stunned cattle.

3% or less of the calves vocalize (moo or bellow).

1% or less fall during handling and stunning.

25% or less moved with an electric prod.

Dragging of sensible calves is not permitted at any time. Falls that occur if a calf is weak should be counted. Veal producers who bring in weak calves need to modify their feeding or production practices.

For more information, refer to the American Meat Institute's Good Management Practices for Animal Handling and Stunning.

Sheep or lamb stunned with a captive bolt can be evaluated with the same criteria for cattle stunning and insensibility. The minimum acceptable standards are:

95% of the sheep or lambs are stunned with one shot.

100% of the animals are rendered insensible; Insensibility criteria are the same as captive bolt stunned cattle.

No vocalization scoring for sheep.

1% or less fall during handling or stunning.

25% or less moved with an electric prod; It is strongly recommended to totally eliminate electric prod use on sheep or lambs.

If the sheep or lambs are stunned with electricity, the pig audit forms can be used. The minimum acceptable standards are:

99% of the animals have the stunning wand or tong placed in the correct position; Use the same positions as pigs.

100% of the animals are rendered insensible. When electric stunning is used, the criteria for assessing insensibility is the same as electrically stunned pigs.

No hot wand scoring for sheep.

No vocalization score for sheep.

1% or less fall during handling and stunning

25% or less moved with an electric prod; It is strongly recommended to totally eliminate electric prod use on sheep or lambs.

Dragging of sensible animals is not permitted. Poking sheep in sensitive areas is not permitted at any time. Electric prods work poorly on sheep due to the insulating qualities of wool. People auditing sheep and lambs must make sure prods are kept away from sensitive parts of the animal such as the rectum or udder. Sheep must never be picked up by the wool because it is painful and serious bruises will result. If dogs are used to move sheep, they must not bite the sheep. The use of dogs should be discouraged at a slaughter plant.

Click here to view menu of welfare guidelines and to view the American Meat Institute Audit Guidelines.

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