Catching and loading broilers for transport is the highest-welfare-risk phase of production, with injury and stress rates significantly affected by method and training.
Broiler catching represents the most acute welfare crisis in chicken meat production. Manual catching by both legs inverted causes physiological stress, fear responses, and physical injuries. Catchers working under time pressure in unfamiliar conditions exacerbate risks. Single-bird upright catching significantly reduces fear and injury but is slower. Mechanical harvesters, when properly calibrated and used, can reduce human-handling stress. Training, supervision, monitoring, and financial incentives for careful handling are key welfare interventions. Some retailers are working with processors to establish catching welfare standards and monitoring.