The catching and loading process before transport is one of the most acute welfare challenges in turkey production. Injury rates are high and welfare standards often inadequate.
Catching and loading is a concentrated period of acute stress and injury risk for turkeys. Birds are suddenly caught by unfamiliar handlers, inverted, crated at high density and loaded onto vehicles - a sequence that is profoundly aversive. The wing fractures and dislocations common in catching do not heal before slaughter - birds travel and wait in pain. Better catching is achievable: lower light levels to reduce panic, trained teams with clear welfare protocols, mechanical assistance, and CCTV oversight all reduce injury rates measurably. Consumer pressure on retailers for catching welfare standards can accelerate improvement.