Humane end-of-life management of broilers: catching, crating and loading

Ensuring humane end-of-life management for broilers is crucial for animal welfare and industry efficiency. The process of catching, crating, and loading broilers for slaughter is a critical stage that can cause significant stress and injuries. This chapter discusses studies on different loading methods, including manual catching and mechanical loading, comparing their effects on animal welfare, worker conditions, and economic feasibility. Although manual catching is still widely used, mechanical loading, which is common practice, for example in Scandinavian countries, offers welfare advantages by minimising human contact, but adoption is hindered by economic and logistical barriers. Legislative frameworks, such as EU regulations, aim to improve handling practices, but challenges remain in implementation. This chapter further discusses and summarises injury rates, stress responses, and farmer perspectives on loading practices. Improving training, refining mechanical systems, and optimising handling techniques are essential for balancing efficiency and broiler welfare.