Farm Animal Welfare

Poultry Lairage Welfare Before Slaughter

Lairage conditions for poultry before slaughter significantly affect welfare through thermal comfort, social stress, and duration of holding before processing.

Key Facts

Poultry lairage duration should be minimised to reduce stress and fasting time
Temperature and ventilation in lairage buildings critically affect thermal comfort
Social disruption from mixing different groups increases aggression and stress
Water and feed withdrawal creates hunger and thirst welfare impacts
Lairage monitoring by trained welfare officers reduces welfare violations

Welfare Considerations

Lairage represents the final welfare experience for poultry before slaughter, with thermal stress, social conflict, and prolonged holding all imposing preventable welfare costs. Management that minimises lairage time and maintains appropriate environmental conditions reduces suffering at this critical juncture.

What You Can Do

Support welfare monitoring requirements at all stages of poultry slaughter
Advocate for maximum lairage time limits for poultry before slaughter
Choose poultry from certified slaughter facilities with documented welfare management