Catching live poultry at the farm is the critical process that can significantly impact bird welfare and product quality. During this phase, birds experience various stressors, including human handling, noise, lightning changes, and transportation preparation. Improper handling techniques and prolonged catching times can lead to injuries, increased mortality, and physiological stress responses.

Environmental factors such as temperature, ventilation, and lightning also play a crucial role in bird well-being. Implementing proper handling protocols, training staff, and optimizing the catching environment can help minimize stress, improve welfare, and maintain the overall quality of the final product.

Implementing the following measures can enhance bird welfare during catching of birds:

• Providing antioxidants and electrolytes to birds 2-3 days before collection.
• Training personnel involved in live bird collection.
• Conducting unannounced welfare inspections to ensure proper handling and loading.
• Using special lightning during collection (blue light).
• Increasing the number of collection points in the barn to reduce the transport distances and minimize handling time for live birds.