Transporting and processing broiler chickens causes significant stress and injury; welfare improvements at this stage reduce suffering for billions of birds.
Transport and pre-slaughter handling subjects chickens to extreme stress from catching, crating, vehicle vibration, temperature extremes, and feed and water withdrawal. Many birds arrive at slaughter with injuries from catching. Welfare-positive improvements include mechanical catching, reduced journey times, appropriate thermal environments, and controlled atmosphere killing to avoid live shackling.