RDE778 Poultry Catching and Handling

The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of different catching and handling methods and catching team sizes on poultry welfare and process durations in commercial settings for (A) meat chickens, (B) laying hens and (C) laying hen pullets. The different catching methods to be assessed include: 1. Two-legged catching: Catching, lifting and carrying inverted by two legs with the legs held between the fingers. Up to three birds are caught in each hand. 2. Upright catching: Catching, lifting and carrying up to two birds upright with each hand placed under each abdomen.