Today, Madelaine from Eyes on Animals provided a training session to the poultry team of the German animal welfare organization Deutscher Tierschutzbund on the humane handling of laying hens and broilers during catching and loading.
The training covered essential factors to keep birds as calm as possible and minimize injuries. Topics included bird behavior, intelligence, fitness for transport, handling techniques, crate and container design, and the upright catching method. We also highlighted the importance of good working conditions for catchers. Preventing exhaustion and compassion fatigue benefits both the animals and the people involved.
Training the trainers
This session was particularly significant as it was designed as a “train the trainer” course, equipping the Tierschutzbund team with the knowledge and skills to pass on these humane poultry handling techniques to German farmers producing under the Tierschutzlabel. The Deutscher Tierschutzbund is already actively promoting the upright catching method among poultry farmers within its label program and exploring how to implement training sessions similar to those conducted by Eyes on Animals.
Several German poultry farmers, both laying hen and broiler producers, have already tested the method together with Tierschutzbund and Eyes on Animals and have personally experienced that birds remain significantly calmer. By training their team, we are ensuring that humane catching techniques continue to spread across Germany, improving both animal welfare and working conditions in the poultry industry.
