Sticking, i.e. bleeding A reindeer does not die as the result of stunning, it dies due to blood loss resulting from bleeding. It is the easiest to start bleeding at approximately 15 seconds after stunning, i.e. at a point where the animal has stiffen immobile to the so-called sawhorse position. The law, however, allows sticking within 60 seconds of stunning so that the animal can be hung for sticking. The person in charge of sticking must make sure that the animal is solidly unconscious. If the animal is not completely stunned (or if slaughtering is continued straight after sticking when the animal is not yet dead), the animal gets stressed. As the result of such stress, the blood vessels will contract and bleeding will not take place in a satisfactory manner and blood will remain in the meat. The blood volume of a reindeer is 7% of its live weight, i.e. there is approx. 3.5 l of blood in a calf with a slaughter weight of 25 kg. The best way to get the blood out is to sever the large vessels close to the heart and the heart pumps the blood out. Chest sticking must be made parallel to the carcass in order to avoid shoulder sticking and severing of the oesophagus. After bleeding, the energy supply to the muscles turns anaerobic and the resulting lactic acid starts the decline in the pH value. Reindeer are stuck while hanging. Sticking while lying down increases the risk of aspiration, i.e. inhaling rumen contents. Occupational safety and avoiding kicks need to be taken into consideration. Sufficient space at the sticking site makes working easier and safer. There is no need to skin the sticking point. Removing the skin of the sticking point increases the contamination risk of the carcass.
Slaughter of reindeer in Finland
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