Recent research by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) into injury risks from different catching methods – including the traditional method (upside down by one leg), the upright catching method (as promoted by Eyes on Animals), and machine catching – shows that the upright catching method performed best. Broilers caught upright sustained significantly fewer catching and loading injuries, such as bruises, dislocations, and fractures to the wings, breast, and legs.
Eyes on Animals, which introduced the upright catching method in the Netherlands and offers training programs to catching teams and poultry farmers in other countries, has long been convinced of its animal welfare benefits. During upright catching, there is much less panic in the barn because birds remain in their natural position, rather than hanging upside down by one leg and struggling to breathe (as they do not have a diaphragm). With upright catching, birds flap and try to escape less, resulting in fewer collisions with barn equipment, transport containers, and crates. It is therefore no surprise that fewer catching injuries occur with this method, and we are pleased that Dutch research now confirms this.
Previous studies by ILVO (Belgium), Animalia (Norway), and the University of Cambridge (UK) have also researched the upright catching method, and they too concluded that this method offers many advantages from an animal welfare perspective. In Brazil, upright catching is already the most commonly used method for broilers due to its numerous animal welfare and meat quality benefits.
The upright catching method does take more time than catching birds by the legs—approximately 1.5 to 2 times longer. However, Eyes on Animals believes that this extra time contributes to the method’s success. Careful handling of animals is essential to prevent stress and injury, as rushing and carelessness are often the main causes of stress and injuries.
In the Netherlands, several laying hen farmers have switched to the upright catching method with the help of Eyes on Animals. A list of these farmers can be found here (in Dutch only) >>
