Livestock

Poultry Catching and Loading Welfare at the Farm

The process of catching, crating, and loading poultry for transport to slaughter is associated with high injury rates and significant stress.

Key Facts

An estimated 70 million broilers are caught and transported in the UK annually
Wing fractures occur in 3-5% of conventionally caught birds
Mechanical catching machines reduce fracture rates compared to manual catching
Birds caught at night are calmer and easier to handle
Loading density regulations exist but are not always enforced

Welfare Considerations

Catching typically occurs at night in darkened sheds. Birds are grabbed by their legs and carried inverted, causing dislocation and fractures. Fear responses elevate stress hormones. Mechanical harvesters collect birds gently but require significant capital investment. The journey to slaughter adds hours of further stress. Injuries sustained during catching cause pain that persists through transport and into the slaughter plant.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes requiring mechanical or low-stress catching methods
Advocate for mandatory catching method reporting and injury monitoring
Choose higher welfare poultry products from certified slower-growing breeds
Engage with retailers on supply chain catching and transport standards
Support industry investment in mechanical catching equipment