Best and Donovan offers pig stunning options for larger pigs
By Erika L. Voogd, Voogd Consulting, Inc.
While reviewing humane handling at slaughter establishments in North, Central and Latin America, one thing is clear, pigs are much larger and heavier than they were when I graduated college in 1983! The good news is that the Best and Donovan Company, makers of the most commonly used pig stunners in small and very small plants, understands this change. The company has developed a stun wand that has longer tongs, to more effectively electrically stun today’s 240-270 pound market pig and even larger boars and sow. The new stun wand with longer tongs should be equipped with at least two sets of star wheels, to accommodate smaller and larger pigs. For plants that already have a B&D stun wand, a set of two stun wand extensions can be purchased from Best and Donovan for a price of $62.00 US dollars, each. The wand extension part number is #9600017.