HSA supports national study into poultry catching and handling
29 August 2025
The HSA is contributing expertise to a major new study that aims to improve the welfare of poultry during catching and handling on farms throughout Britain.
The £500,000 project, commissioned by Defra and led by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) with the University of Bristol, will run for three years and collect data from more than 100 commercial flocks of broilers, layers and pullets. Researchers will compare two common catching methods, holding birds by both legs versus upright handling, to assess how each affects bird welfare, handling time and practicality on farm.
Alongside the research, catching crews across participating farms will be trained by HSA staff in both methods to ensure results are consistent and can be applied in real-world settings.
The collaboration brings together academic researchers, industry partners, the HSA, and a poultry veterinary consultant, with findings set to be shared widely with policymakers, producers and the public.
Dr Huw Golledge, HSA Chief Executive, said:
“At the HSA, we’re delighted to be involved with the important research which we hope will provide clarity around the welfare benefits and practicality of catching poultry upright versus by the legs.”
To find out more about the project, click here: https://www.sruc.ac.uk/all-news/nationwide-study-set-to-improve-poultry-welfare/