Farmed Animals

Poultry Catching and Welfare at End of Production

The catching and transport of poultry at the end of the production cycle is a high-risk welfare event requiring careful management.

Key Facts

Poultry catching is typically performed at night to reduce stress
Wing, leg, and hip fractures are common injuries during commercial catching
Mechanical catchers cause fewer injuries than manual catching in some studies
Over half of poultry welfare injuries occur during catching and transport
Welfare codes require training for catchers and maximum carry numbers

Welfare Considerations

The catching of poultry for transport to slaughter is associated with high rates of injury and significant acute stress. Manual catching by inexperienced workers in poor lighting conditions causes fractures, dislocations, and haemorrhage. Welfare standards for catching specify training requirements, maximum carry numbers, and prohibit certain handling practices, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that include catching training requirements
Advocate for mechanical catching adoption where welfare evidence supports it
Raise awareness about catching welfare as a significant but often overlooked issue
Choose assured products from farms with documented catching welfare standards
Support independent monitoring of catching operations in poultry farms