The catching and loading of broiler chickens before transport to slaughter is a high-stress event causing significant injury and welfare compromise. Improving catching methods and training is a priority area for welfare improvement.
Catching is often the first time broiler chickens experience direct human handling, making it an inherently highly stressful event. The manual method of carrying birds inverted by the legs causes pain from the unnatural joint position and increases risk of dislocation injury, particularly in heavier, faster-growing breeds. Mechanical catching machines can reduce per-bird handling stress but must be correctly adjusted for bird size and density; incorrect settings cause breast bruising and injury from the rotating elements. Regardless of method, training is critical: skilled, calm catchers working efficiently cause less stress and injury than poorly trained workers rushing. Pre-catching light reduction slows bird activity and reduces panic-driven wing flapping. The duration of the catching operation matters: catching during cooler parts of the day or night reduces heat stress risk, particularly in summer.