The transport of poultry to slaughter is one of the highest-risk welfare events in the production cycle, causing significant mortality, injury, and suffering in billions of birds annually.
Poultry transport combines multiple high-intensity welfare events in rapid succession. The catching process involves humans rushing through crowded barns, picking up birds by their legs, and packing them into transport crates - causing acute fear, physical injury, and extreme crowding stress. Birds already compromised by lameness suffer additional pain during catching. Transport in thermal extremes (hot summer or cold winter conditions in poorly designed vehicles) causes heat stress or cold injury. Arrival at the slaughter plant involves further handling. The shackling and stunning process at slaughter is the final welfare event. The entire transport arc may last 6-12 hours - a period of continuous stress and physical compromise for animals already weakened by their brief, intensive lives.