The significant welfare challenges of poultry transport and the evidence-based improvements being implemented.
Poultry transport represents a concentrated welfare challenge affecting millions of birds daily. The combination of handling stress from catching, confinement in transport crates at high density, thermal extremes during journeys, and the prolonged withholding of feed and water creates a welfare burden that falls on animals already physiologically compromised by intensive production conditions. Transport mortality — while representing a small percentage of the flock — reflects the welfare conditions experienced by all transported birds during the journey. The most radical welfare improvement available is controlled atmosphere killing at the farm, which eliminates transport stress entirely by rendering birds insensible before they leave the farm environment. Journey time limits, vehicle temperature monitoring, and training of transport personnel in bird handling are the most impactful regulatory improvements for conventional transport systems.