After our work with Rondeel, Kipster has also decided to switch to the Swedish catching method. With the Swedish catching method, chickens are caught two at a time, upright around the breast and wings. With this method, the chickens experience less stress and pain compared to the commercial catching method where chickens are grabbed roughly by their legs, held upside down, and stuffed together with 3 or 4 others at a time into transport crates.
On January 6th, 2019, one Kipster barn (11,000 chickens) was completely emptied using the Swedish way. Ruud Zanders, director of Kipster, also helped with catching. He said he could clearly see that the Swedish catching method is more respectful for the chicken.
The chickens were caught by catching team Den Ouden. Eyes on Animals was also present. Den Ouden is trained by Eyes on Animals and specializes in Swedish catching.
Even though poultry barns are constantly evolving, the primitive and rough catching and loading of chickens, has been going on for decades. Together with Kipster and Den Ouden, Eyes on Animals will, in addition to switching to Swedish catching, also look at techniques to modernize and facilitate catching and loading.
