Farm Animals

Poultry Pre-Slaughter Feed Withdrawal

Feed withdrawal before slaughter is standard practice in poultry production to reduce gut contents, but causes significant hunger stress and welfare concerns during the withdrawal period.

Key Facts

Feed withdrawal of 6-12 hours before catching is standard in commercial poultry production
Longer withdrawal periods cause increasing hunger and stress in birds
Shorter withdrawal periods reduce hunger but increase contamination risk at slaughter
High CO2 concentration for catching stunning reduces struggle and injury during catching
Alternative approaches including live haul with feed management are being developed

Welfare Considerations

Pre-slaughter feed withdrawal is a welfare compromise driven by food safety and logistics considerations. Minimising withdrawal time while managing food safety risks requires careful management. Alternative approaches that reduce withdrawal duration deserve research investment.

What You Can Do

Advocate for research into alternatives to extended feed withdrawal in poultry
Support poultry welfare certification schemes that minimise feed withdrawal time
Engage with poultry industry on welfare improvements in pre-slaughter management