Poultry Welfare: Catching and Transport Welfare

Overview of welfare during catching and transport of poultry, a significant welfare risk point.

Key Facts

Manual catching of live poultry causes injuries and stress in a significant proportion of birds
Mechanical catching systems can reduce injury when well-operated and monitored
Transport journey times and conditions significantly affect poultry welfare outcomes
Pre-slaughter mortality in transport is a welfare performance indicator
Thermal stress during loading and transport is a leading welfare concern

Welfare Considerations

Poultry catching and transport welfare encompasses the acute welfare events at end of production. Manual catching causes injuries through rough handling. Transport journey length, thermal conditions, and stocking density all affect welfare. Pre-slaughter mortality rates provide a welfare performance indicator for the transport stage. Improving welfare at this stage requires standards for catching method, transport conditions, and journey time combined with monitoring and accountability.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare certification schemes that include catching and transport standards
Advocate for pre-slaughter mortality monitoring as a welfare performance requirement
Choose poultry from supply chains with verified catching and transport welfare standards