124. From a welfare point of view, the acceptability of loading and unloading operations is determined by the ability of the personnel involved. Proper training is essential and we encourage all companies to prepare written instructions for their staff. The loading and unloading should be supervised and those individuals with poor technique reminded of the instructions and given training. It is usual for the operation to be carried out by specialist teams who work under the supervision of a team leader. These teams are responsible for the catching and placement of birds into modules/crates which are then loaded by forklift truck onto the transporter.
125. It is industry practice not to feed birds on the day of transportation as they travel more comfortably with an empty crop but they are given an increased feed the day before. Water is generally available up to the time of catching.
126. During the catching operation, birds must be caught by both legs to minimise distress, damage and injury which may result if they were allowed to struggle and flap. The birds should then be carried, no more than two per hand, and carefully placed into the modules or crates. Density in the crates should be adjusted according to weather conditions and size of bird. It is important to ensure that once birds are loaded they are not exposed to extremes of temperature.
127. At unloading, care should be taken when lifting the birds out of the module/crate; they should not be tipped out as this would cause unnecessary distress. On arrival, water must be freely available and feed provided once all birds are in the shed.
128. The catching and handling of birds must be carried out only by suitably trained and competent personnel. Additionally, the operation must be properly supervised by a person nominated to be responsible for the movement of the birds.
129. All lifting, loading and unloading of birds must be in accordance with the requirements of the Welfare of Transport (Animals) Order 1997. Care should be taken to avoid distress to the birds. Birds should always be caught and carried by both legs and the amount of time they are inverted should be kept to a minimum. No more than two birds must be carried in one hand.
130. Account should be taken of extreme weather conditions and the number of birds loaded should be adjusted accordingly.
131. The use of any mechanical equipment for the loading of birds onto vehicles should be supported by an effective servicing and back-up system.