Broiler Chicken Catching and Transport: Minimising Handling Stress

Catching and loading broiler chickens for transport to slaughter is one of the most stressful events in their lives. Training and technology can significantly reduce injury and distress.

Key Facts

Traditional hand-catching causes bone fractures in up to 5% of broilers per flock
Mechanical harvesters can reduce injury rates compared to poorly trained hand-catchers
Catching at night under blue light reduces struggling and wing flapping
Crates must be appropriately ventilated and filled to avoid crushing
Journey times to slaughter should not exceed 8 hours in EU law
Lairage periods before slaughter add further stress if inadequately managed

Welfare Considerations

Catching and transport represent an acute welfare crisis for broiler chickens. The sudden physical restraint by unfamiliar humans, the crating, loading, and vehicle movement are entirely novel and frightening experiences for animals that have lived in a fixed environment. Injuries sustained during catching cause pain that persists until slaughter. Reducing catching-related injuries and minimising transport duration are among the most impactful welfare interventions in the broiler production cycle.

What You Can Do

Support retailer and certification schemes with specific standards for catching and transport
Advocate for trained catching crews over inexperienced casual workers
Encourage industry adoption of mechanical harvesters with demonstrated lower injury rates
Support regulations limiting journey times to slaughter for poultry
Raise awareness of catching welfare as an underappreciated issue in broiler production