Survey of Flemish Poultry Farmers on How Birds Fit for Transport to the Slaughterhouse Are Selected, Caught, and Crated and Their Opinions Regarding the Pre-Transport Process

Abstract

Poultry management prior to transport can result in animal stress, injuries, and mortality. Here, we aimed to gather information from Flemish poultry farmers about their current pre-transport practices (i.e., selection of unfit chickens, catching preparation, catching, and crating) for spent hens and broilers. The results showed that a minority of farmers performed catch preparation, such as pre-selecting chickens unfit for transport. Practices on layer farms were less aligned with the EU legislation for water and feed withdrawal than on broiler farms. All birds were caught inverted except for one broiler farmer who used mechanical catching. Although mechanical catching may involve extra costs, increased biosecurity risks, and specific recommendations for the stable (height and width), it was reported as the preferred method for broiler catchers’ well-being. Upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, mechanically, or by the wings. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for pre-catch selection, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. Pre-catch measures (e.g., closing the area under the aviary system, removing litter) can streamline the catching process and reduce animal suffering.