Thumping
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Thumping is a method of killing farm animals via blunt force trauma.[1][2] It is usually done by either striking them on the head or striking their body against a flat surface.[3] It can be followed by exsanguination (meaning to make them quickly bleed out). It is often used in pig farms on piglets who are considered of low economic value and/or injured or sick.[4] It is also widely used in other industries such as rabbit farming, dairy farming (primarily on male calves), or on laboratory rats.[5][6][7] It is a very controversial method.[8]
Controversy
[edit]The method has been called unreliable, inhumane, and needless harm by government advisory groups in the UK and EU,[4] animal rights groups,[9][10] and animal welfare groups.[11] Some pig farm operators have called the method aesthetically unappealing, and researchers have noted it poses risks to worker safety.[12] Researchers have also noted that unsuccessful attempts cause piglets to experience pain, dizziness, nausea, being out of breath, and panic.[13] Failure rates vary with worker exhaustion being a large factor. Some studies found upwards of 22% failure. Others studies that did not include worker fatigue did not detect failure.[14]
The method is especially criticized when used on calves. Their thicker skulls prevent brain tissue from being destroyed as quickly. This entails worse consistency and higher difficulty in using the method.[15][16] This is said to result in longer periods of consciousness and increased suffering. Additionally, concerns have been raised on how male calves themselves are usually healthy and killed only for not being of economic value to the industry.[6]
The American Veterinary Medical Association considers thumping an acceptable method for piglets, poultry, and fish but not for calves, lambs or goats. However, they discourage its use overall due to the mental trauma it gives workers, worker fatigue decreasing efficacy, decrease in ability to detect brain diseases postmortem, and concerns about if the practice is humane.[17]
The World Organisation for Animal Health has not listed the method as acceptable as of 2011.[18]
Those who use thumping primarily cite its low cost and low need for investment into it compared to other killing and stunning methods. Many farm operators that use it express discomfort with it.[19] Depression and remorse are the most common emotions reported from those involved in the process.[14]
Global use
[edit]Partial bans
[edit]The method was banned for piglets in the UK in 2022, however investigations have found it taking place in violation of the law.[1][4] It is permitted for the stunning of laboratory rats after an experiment is completed.[7] The method has also been banned for piglets within the EU.[14] It is allowed in the European Union for smaller animals.[20]
Permitted use
[edit]Brazil
[edit]In Brazil, 90% of pig farms reported using pig thumping primarily due to its low cost. 96% of pig farm operators (using any method to kill piglets) reported to feel uncomfortable with the method they used.[19]
New Zealand
[edit]In New Zealand, thumping is considered an approved method of killing.[13]
Canada
[edit]In Canada, it is the most common way to kill rabbits raised for meat,[5] and it is considered an approved and used method for killing piglets.[18] 34% of Canadian dairy farms report using thumping on male calves.[6] One study found smaller dairy farms had higher rates of thumping usage as well as the practice being more common in Quebec.[16]
United States
[edit]In the United States, a 2004 survey found that 93% of pig farms used thumping on pigs between 1-12 lbs and 50% used it on nursery pigs.[21] There are no restrictions on the methods used to kill calves in the dairy industry.[15] Thumping has also been considered an acceptable method for fish slaughter in the US.[22] The majority of US sturgeon farms in the US use thumping followed by exsanguination.[23]
Australia
[edit]In Australia, thumping is an approved method and is how most piglets are killed.[24] 25% of Australian dairy farms reported using thumping as a means to kill calves.[25]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Third Cranswick pig farm faces animal abuse allegations". www.bbc.com. 2025-09-27. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
- ↑ "Secret cameraman claims of 'brutality' at Cranswick farm". www.bbc.com. 2025-05-25. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
- ↑ Costa, FA Dalla; Gibson, T. J.; Oliveira, S. E. O.; Gregory, N. G.; Faucitano, L.; Costa, OA Dalla (November 2021). "On-farm culling methods used for pigs". Animal Welfare. 30 (4): 507–522. doi:10.7120/09627286.30.3.008. ISSN 0962-7286.
- 1 2 3 Butler, Sarah (2025-05-11). "UK supermarkets suspend supplies from Lincolnshire pig farm over cruelty claims". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
- 1 2 Walsh, Jessica; Percival, Aaron; Turner, Patricia (2017-12-15). "Efficacy of Blunt Force Trauma, a Novel Mechanical Cervical Dislocation Device, and a Non-Penetrating Captive Bolt Device for On-Farm Euthanasia of Pre-Weaned Kits, Growers, and Adult Commercial Meat Rabbits". Animals. 7 (12): 100. doi:10.3390/ani7120100. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 5742794. PMID 29244782.
- 1 2 3 Reed, Lexie M.; Renaud, David L.; DeVries, Trevor J. (February 2022). "Male dairy calf welfare: A Canadian perspective on challenges and potential solutions". The Canadian Veterinary Journal = la Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 63 (2): 187–193. ISSN 0008-5286. PMC 8759333. PMID 35110777.
- 1 2 Clarkson, Jasmine M; Martin, Jessica E; McKeegan, Dorothy E F (Nov 2022). "A review of methods used to kill laboratory rodents: issues and opportunities". Laboratory Animals. 56 (5): 419–436. doi:10.1177/00236772221097472. ISSN 0023-6772. PMC 9647317. PMID 35611553.
- ↑ Husheer, Johannes; Luepke, Matthias; Dziallas, Peter; Waldmann, Karl-Heinz; von Altrock, Alexandra (2020-12-07). "Electrocution as an alternative euthanasia method to blunt force trauma to the head followed by exsanguination for non-viable piglets". Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 62 (1): 67. doi:10.1186/s13028-020-00565-9. ISSN 1751-0147. PMC 7720548. PMID 33287837.
- ↑ "End Illegal Piglet 'Thumping'!". Animal Justice Project. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
- ↑ Devine, Alanna (2025-05-30). "Tell Industry: Stop Killing Piglets & Caging Mother Pigs". Animal Justice. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
- ↑ "End Piglet Thumping". act.thehumaneleague.org. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
- ↑ Kells, Nikki; Beausoleil, Ngaio; Johnson, Craig; Sutherland, Mhairi (2018-03-16). "Evaluation of Different Gases and Gas Combinations for On-Farm Euthanasia of Pre-Weaned Pigs". Animals. 8 (3): 40. doi:10.3390/ani8030040. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 5867528. PMID 29547548.
- 1 2 Chidgey, Kirsty L.; Udomteerasuwat, Nutnapong; Morel, Patrick C. H.; Castillo-Alcala, Fernanda (2022-10-26). "Animal Welfare Compromises Associated with Causes of Death in Neonatal Piglets". Animals. 12 (21): 2933. doi:10.3390/ani12212933. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 9658477. PMID 36359057.
- 1 2 3 Dalla Costa, Filipe Antonio; Gibson, Troy J.; Oliveira, Steffan Edward Octávio; Gregory, Neville George; Coldebella, Arlei; Faucitano, Luigi; Ludtke, Charli Beatriz; Buss, Liziè Peréirã; Dalla Costa, Osmar Antonio (2020-07-01). "Evaluation of physical euthanasia for neonatal piglets on-farm". Journal of Animal Science. 98 (7) skaa204. doi:10.1093/jas/skaa204. ISSN 1525-3163. PMC 7455299. PMID 32620008.
- 1 2 Alley, Mark L.; Smith, Geof W.; Pairis-Garcia, Monique D.; Wagner, Brooklyn; Cramer, Mary Caitlin (2021-03-10). "Welfare implications for dairy bull calves". CABI Reviews PAVSNNR202015058. doi:10.1079/PAVSNNR202015058. ISSN 1749-8848.
- 1 2 Renaud, D. L.; Duffield, T. F.; LeBlanc, S. J.; Haley, D. B.; Kelton, D. F. (2017-08-01). "Management practices for male calves on Canadian dairy farms". Journal of Dairy Science. 100 (8). Elsevier: 6862–6871. doi:10.3168/jds.2017-12750. ISSN 0022-0302. PMID 28551179.
- ↑ AVMA GUIDELINES FOR THE EUTHANASIA OF ANIMALS: 2020 EDITION (PDF) (Report). 2020. p. 42.
- 1 2 Whiting, Terry L.; Steele, Gregory G.; Wamnes, Steinar; Green, Chris (July 2011). "Evaluation of methods of rapid mass killing of segregated early weaned piglets". The Canadian Veterinary Journal = la Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 52 (7): 753–758. ISSN 0008-5286. PMC 3119238. PMID 22210939.
- 1 2 Dalla Costa, Filipe Antonio; Gibson, Troy John; Oliveira, Steffan Edward Octávio; Gregory, Neville George; Coldebella, Arlei; Faucitano, Luigi; Dalla Costa, Osmar Antonio (2019-03-01). "On-farm pig dispatch methods and stockpeople attitudes on their use". Livestock Science. 221: 1–5. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2019.01.007. ISSN 1871-1413.
- ↑ Comin, M. (2025-05-23). SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY AND ANIMAL WELFARE AT SLAUGHTER (Doctoral Thesis thesis). Università degli Studi di Milano. doi:10.13130/comin-marta_phd2025-05-23.
- ↑ Steven, Matthis (2004). Selected employee attributes and perceptions regarding methods and animal welfare concerns associated with swine euthanasia (EdD thesis). North Carolina State University Theses Occupational Education.
- ↑ Duarte, T. L.; Feng, Y; Talukder, S.; Bolkenov, B.; Gross, J.; Yang, X. (2024-09-23). "78 STREAM TO STORE: TRADITIONAL VS. ALTERNATIVE SLAUGHTER METHODS' IMPACT ON WHOLE RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS SPP.) QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE". American Meat Science Association. 9 (S1).
- ↑ Gross, Jackson A.; Bowman, Jennifer R.; Imai, Denise M.; Wong, Talia S.; Duarte, Toni L.; Boles, Sara E.; McGorrin, Robert J.; Yang, Xiang (2024-06-03). "Evaluation of non-penetrative captive bolt stunning as a method of slaughter for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)". Frontiers in Animal Science. 5 1405554. Frontiers. doi:10.3389/fanim.2024.1405554. ISSN 2673-6225.
- ↑ Hemsworth, Lauren; Hemsworth, Paul; Acharya, Rutu; Skuse, Jeremy (August 2018). Review of the scientific literature and the international pig welfare codes and standards to underpin the future Standards and Guidelines for Pigs (PDF) (Report).
- ↑ Verdon, Megan (2021-12-02). Tilbrook, Alan (ed.). "A review of factors affecting the welfare of dairy calves in pasture-based production systems". Animal Production Science. 62 (1): 1–20. doi:10.1071/AN21139. ISSN 1836-0939.
