Catching and Handling Poultry: Deep Welfare Guide
Welfare Significance of Catching
Catching is one of the most stressful and injurious events in the life of farmed poultry. During depopulation or thinning, birds experience fear, pain from rough handling, injury (bone fractures, dislocations, bruising), and cardiovascular stress. Research shows that a high proportion of birds may be injured during poorly managed catching operations. It is a critical welfare control point requiring management attention.
Manual Catching Methods
Birds may be caught by one leg, two legs, or the body. Catching by a single leg causes high rates of dislocation and fracture. Catching by two legs and carrying in groups upside-down (as is traditional) reduces fractures compared to single-leg catching. Body catching (supporting the breast) is welfare-preferable where feasible. Training catchers in correct technique significantly reduces injury rates.
Mechanical Catching Machines
Mechanical harvesting machines (harvesters) can catch large numbers of birds rapidly. Machine catching reduces human handling time but may increase bruising and injury if not properly adjusted and operated. Well-maintained machines operated by trained staff at appropriate speeds can have comparable welfare outcomes to skilled manual catching. Regular monitoring of bird injuries following machine use guides adjustment and improvement.
Pre-Catching Management
Pre-catching management significantly affects welfare: feed withdrawal (for gut emptying before slaughter) should follow legal guidelines and not be excessive; lighting should be dimmed to reduce panic; catching pens should be set up to minimise space. Heat stress is a major risk during catching, particularly in summer; ventilation and timing (avoiding midday heat) reduce heat-related deaths. Water access prior to feed withdrawal maintains welfare.
Monitoring and Targets
Systematic monitoring of dead-on-arrival rates, injury rates (bruising, fractures at processing), and on-farm welfare observations during catching is needed to drive improvement. Industry-accepted benchmarks exist for acceptable injury rates. Farms and catching teams that consistently exceed benchmarks should receive additional training and oversight. CCTV during catching allows review and accountability.