Poultry Transport Welfare and Journey Time

The transport of poultry to slaughter causes significant welfare harm through temperature stress, injuries, and prolonged confinement. Shorter journeys, improved crate design, and journey monitoring reduce suffering.

Key Facts

UK regulations limit poultry transport to 12 hours for journeys with water access
Studies show significant mortality in poultry transport - up to 0.3% of birds die during transport
Heat stress in summer and cold stress in winter are major causes of transport mortality
Catching birds for transport causes wing and leg injuries, particularly in fast-growing breeds
Water deprivation during transport causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
CCTV monitoring of transport vehicles improves compliance with welfare regulations

Welfare Considerations

Poultry transport welfare involves acute stressors across every stage - catching, crating, loading, journey, and unloading. Birds caught incorrectly experience bone fractures that are not apparent until slaughter line inspection. Crate density that prevents normal standing position causes chronic pain over the journey duration. Heat stress in summer can kill birds within 30 minutes of vehicle stoppage in direct sunlight. Shorter journeys, better vehicle design with temperature control, and trained catching teams reduce these harms significantly. Consumer pressure through welfare certification that includes transport standards drives supply chain improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose poultry certified to RSPCA Assured standards that include transport requirements
Support CCTV monitoring requirements for all poultry transport vehicles
Advocate for maximum journey time reductions for commercial poultry
Back research into improved catching methods that reduce fracture rates
Report suspected transport welfare violations to RSPCA wildlife crime team