The transport of live poultry to slaughter is associated with significant mortality and welfare compromise. Improving handling, crating, journey duration, and thermal conditions could prevent millions of unnecessary deaths annually.
Poultry transport represents the final welfare challenge in a system that has already compromised animal welfare throughout the production cycle. Birds that have survived to transport weight face additional acute stressors including rough handling during catching, crowding in crates, temperature extremes, unfamiliar motion, and noise. The mortality and injury rates associated with transport, while proportionally small, represent millions of animals suffering preventable harm. End-of-life welfare is an area where practical improvements at relatively low cost are achievable.