Catching and loading broiler chickens for transport to slaughter is the highest-risk handling event in chicken production. Technology and training can significantly reduce injury and stress.
Broiler catching welfare has been identified as a priority concern by welfare scientists and retailers. Manual multi-bird catching causes bone fractures, dislocations, and acute psychological stress. Birds struggle intensely during inversion and transport to containers. Training catchers in single-bird upright handling reduces injury rates but requires time investment. Mechanical harvesters when properly maintained and calibrated achieve comparable or better welfare outcomes than manual methods at commercial scale. Financial incentives for processors and farmers based on arrival injury rates create accountability. Some retailers have established catching welfare standards as supply chain requirements, driving improvement across the industry.