The behaviour of chickens, mice and rats during euthanasia with chloroform, carbon dioxide and ether

Abstract

Euthanasia of chickens, young and mature rats, and mice was assessed using chloroform, carbon dioxide and ether. Behavioural patterns were recorded to give some indication of the stress involved. Carbon dioxide induced collapse faster (11·2 ± 0·4 s) than chloroform(18·9 ± 0·4 s) or ether (> 60 s). With regard to the time taken to death, in carbon dioxide mice had the shortest time (48 ± 10 s) and mature rats had the longest time (135 ± 10 s). In chloroform, the only difference was the delayed onset of death (127 ± 10 s) in the chicken. Behavioural patterns were similar for the chicken in carbon dioxide and chloroform, except for wing flapping, even when unconscious, in carbon dioxide. Chloroform is recommended as more aesthetically acceptable for euthanasia of chickens. Carbon dioxide is recommended for the euthanasia of both rats and mice, considering behavioural criteria. Ether is unsuitable as a euthanasia method as it is dangerous, slow acting and an irritant.