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PREPARE for better Science
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Alternatives to dissection
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Hen



Handling and bleeding

Hens, chickens and eggs are used in Norway for antibody production, disgnostic work and research within biochemistry, physiology and nutrition.

The Domestic Hen
The hen should be lifted carefully while immobilising the wings with one hand. The hen should then be quickly held into the handler's body. One hand is used to hold the legs, the other holds the hen around its wings.

Handling
Two operators are needed. The hen is held down on the table with one wing immobilised under its body. One person holds both legs and grasps the body, while the other person locates the ulnar vein under the uppermost wing.

The ulnar vein
The ulnar vein is prepared for puncture. The operator's fingers are used to immobilise the wing in the correct position.

Immobilisation of the vein
The area around the blood vessel should be disinfected before venepuncture.

Disinfection
The ulnar vein is ready for puncture. Feathers should be parted to visualise the vein. Try to avoid plucking feathers as this is painful.

Final preparations
22G (0.7 mm) needles should be used. The needle should be inserted as far as possible in the distal end of the upper (humeral) part of the wing. The vein is fairly mobile and a haematoma forms easily during puncture.

Venepuncture
If the needle is in the correct position, blood should run quickly into the tube.

Blood flow
The tube is removed from the needle before the needle is retracted from the vein. It is very important that blood flow is stopped by pressing a ball of cotton wool firmly against the puncture site.

Tube removal
It is also possible to aspirate blood using a syringe.

Use of a syringe
1, 2 or 5 ml syringes are used for aspiration.

Choice of syringe
The jugular vein can be seen here. The vein can be used for the same techniques, but it is smaller and more mobile.

The jugular vein


Subcutaneous injection and cardiac puncture

Two operators participate in subcutaneous injections.

Two operators
Subcutaneous injections are performed where there is most body mass. The skin over the breast and upper wing are suitable sites.

Choice of site
The injection is made slowly and with care.

The injection
The injection from another angle.

The injection
The skin is very thin. The needle and injection fluid can be seen through the skin.

The skin
The hen must be in full terminal anaesthesia.

Terminal anaesthesia
A stethoscope is useful to locate the heart.

Auscultation
Reflexes are checked using a forceps

Reflexes
The needle must be immobilised with the left hand to avoid movement.

Blood removal

Please note that the vein referred to as the ulnar vein in this series is in fact the basilic vein (vena basilica). This will be corrected as soon as possible.

See also:
Mählis et al. (2023): Clicker Training as an Applied Refinement Measure in Chickens
and other links in the section of this website on Farm Animals

 

This page was updated on 03 June 2024

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