Study launched to improve welfare in handling of poultry in Britain

Academics have joined forces with poultry producers and welfare organisations in a new 3-year study into poultry catching and handling.

The £500,000 study, led by the Scottish Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Bristol, aims to enhance the welfare of farmed birds across Britain. The project will gather data from over 100 commercial poultry flocks and involves collaboration with the Humane Slaughter Association and a poultry veterinary consultant to promote best practices in poultry welfare.

Commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), it will assess the catching and handling of commercial poultry that are caught when they are being moved between housing systems, or before going to slaughter.

By comparing the 2 main methods of handling (either by 2 legs or catching upright), the research will discover how each approach impacts on the overall process duration and bird welfare.

Begins with training

The project, which will begin by looking at broilers, layers and pullets, will include training the catching crew members across all farms taking part in the research in both catching/handling methods.

Dr Vicky Sandilands, lead researcher at SRUC, said high animal welfare standards were a key component of agricultural best practice. “We are grateful to Defra for the opportunity to investigate the impact of catching and handling on chickens. Our Monogastric Innovation Centre and Animal Behaviour and Welfare teams at SRUC look forward to a close collaboration with colleagues at the University of Bristol and Humane Slaughter Association to provide evidence on best catching and handling practices, to safeguard the welfare of poultry,” she added.

Amending the law

The research follows a UK government consultation earlier this year on proposed changes to permitted methods. The consultation, which closed in May, had 103 responses.The government said in June that it would amend the law to allow chickens and turkeys to be lifted by their legs, in line with existing Great British statutory guidance. It also said that it would stress in law that chickens and turkeys weighing 5kg of less must not be caught, lifted or carried by a single leg, and that turkeys weighing more than 5kg must not be lifted or carried in an inverted position, whether by the legs or otherwise.

Source: Poultry World