The transport of chickens, turkeys, and other poultry to slaughter causes significant welfare harms including thermal stress, injuries during catching and loading, and mortality during transit.
Poultry transport welfare involves acute welfare harms at multiple stages. The catching process - whether by hand or machine - causes fear, wing and leg injuries, and cardiovascular stress in birds already compromised by rapid growth. Loading into crates causes overcrowding and wing fractures from contact with crate edges. Transit exposes birds to temperature extremes, particularly in summer when vehicles can rapidly reach dangerous temperatures. Arrival at the abattoir involves additional handling and waiting periods that extend the welfare event. Reducing transport distance, improving catching methods, optimising crate design, and ensuring vehicle temperature control are the primary welfare interventions available.