The Norwegian chicken producer Norsk Kyling has been encouraging their poultry farmers (135 in total) and catching companies to catch their broilers using the upright method, instead of grabbing them by the legs. In barns where the containers can be placed close to the broilers with a forklift, the upright method is usually applied. In barns where the containers are located further away because of lack of space (and the catchers have to walk) broilers are picked up by two legs (picking them up by just one is never allowed). Research carried out by Animalia (Norwegian agricultural research institute) shows that the upright catching method leads to fewer broken wings, better distribution of the broilers in the transport containers, and fewer broilers ending up on their backs. To implement the upright catching method, Animalia has developed training material.
Watch the video about chicken safety.
