Farm Animals

Poultry Welfare: Catching Crew Training Standards

Standardised training for poultry catching crews is a low-cost, high-impact welfare intervention that reduces injury and stress during pre-slaughter handling.

Key Facts

Catching crew competency significantly affects injury rates during broiler depopulation
EU welfare regulations require demonstrable competence for those involved in killing and handling of animals
Training programmes including handling technique, bird welfare awareness, and fatigue management improve outcomes
High catching crew turnover and use of agency labour create welfare risks in many production systems

Welfare Considerations

Catching crew training is a simple, affordable welfare intervention that is frequently neglected due to high labour turnover and use of agency workers. Requiring trained catching personnel as a welfare standard is achievable and would deliver significant welfare improvements across the poultry industry.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare organisations advocating for mandatory catcher training
Advocate for catching competency to be a welfare certification requirement
Engage with training organisations developing catching welfare competency frameworks