Live broiler collection from farm: how to organise it well
From setting the date with the slaughterhouse to signing the weight ticket — learn how each stage of collection works and what you need to prepare as a farmer.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
Who organises live bird collection?
Live broiler collection is carried out under a contract with a slaughterhouse or integrator. They — not the farmer — set the collection date, dispatch the catching crew and arrange transport. The farmer accepts the given date and is responsible for having the flock ready: grown to the target weight and caught and loaded in compliance with animal welfare rules.
Scheduling — target weight and FCR
The slaughterhouse sets the collection date based on a live-weight forecast. Standard slaughter weight for broilers is typically 2.2–2.8 kg liveweight, depending on the contract. The farmer tracks daily weight gain and notifies the integrator when the flock is approaching target weight. DlaFerm.pl lets you record trial weighings and estimate the target date based on current FCR and weight-gain trends.
Notification — declaring flock readiness
A few days before the planned collection, the farmer confirms flock readiness: current numbers, estimated weight and absence of any veterinary event that could block slaughter (e.g. active drug withdrawal period). The integrator or slaughterhouse scheduling office sets the final timetable for the crew’s arrival. Any changes should be communicated early — a delayed or cancelled transport creates costs on both sides.
Food Chain Information (FCI)
Before slaughter, the farmer is required to send Food Chain Information (FCI) to the slaughterhouse. The document includes: farm and flock data, number of animals, medicines administered in the last 60 days with their withdrawal periods, results of the most recent tests (including Salmonella), the supervising vet’s details and any notes on flock health. Without FCI, the slaughterhouse cannot accept the batch.
How DlaFerm.pl helps at collection time
DlaFerm.pl records the entire production cycle: stocking, weighings, treatments and withdrawal periods, mortalities and culls. That means all the data you need for the FCI is in one place — no hunting through paper flock cards. The crew and work-order module lets you plan the catching crew’s work as an internal job order and settle costs per batch. More about the crew module: Bird-catching crews.
How live bird collection works step by step
From notification to the lorry leaving — every stage has its requirements and affects the final settlement.
Date confirmation and notification
The integrator or slaughterhouse gives the date and time for the crew’s arrival. The farmer confirms flock numbers and estimated weight. Report any changes as early as possible — corrections on collection day risk downtime for the crew and the lorry.
Sending FCI to the slaughterhouse
Send the completed Food Chain Information (FCI) to the slaughterhouse no later than 24 hours before the planned slaughter. Check that all drug withdrawal periods have elapsed or will elapse before the planned slaughter time.
Stopping feed and water — pre-slaughter fast
Before loading, birds undergo a pre-slaughter fast: feed is withheld for typically 8–12 hours and water for 2–4 hours before loading. The exact times are set by the slaughterhouse contract. Fasting reduces gut content, lowering the risk of contamination during slaughter.
Catching birds and loading into containers
The catching crew catches birds by hand or with a catching machine and places them in plastic containers (transport crates). Ensure: appropriate lighting (dim light calms birds and makes catching easier), no obstacles on crew pathways, access to water for workers. Bird welfare during catching is governed by Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009.
Loading onto the lorry and weighing
Loaded containers are placed on the lorry platform. Weighing of the full load usually takes place at the slaughterhouse scales (entry weighing). Some contracts provide for on-farm weighing using a vehicle weighbridge — check your contract terms.
Weight ticket and settlement
The slaughterhouse issues a weight ticket showing gross weight and any deductions: transport shrinkage (dressing, in-transit deaths), container tare, quality adjustments. The applicable deduction norms are set out in the contract and can be negotiated. Check the ticket before signing.
What you must do before the catching crew arrives
Good preparation shortens catching time, reduces bird stress and minimises weight losses.
Restricting access to feed
Secure or remove feeders from the poultry house at the designated fasting time. Leaving feed out extends the fast unevenly and can lead to a quality claim from the slaughterhouse.
Preparing the lighting
Several hours before catching, dim the poultry house — birds in low light are calmer, which makes catching easier and reduces the number of fractures and bruises. The catching crew works with their own task lighting.
Removing obstacles and checking ventilation
Move equipment, buckets and cables away from crew pathways. Ventilation must run throughout catching — stressed birds generate a lot of heat and the house heats up quickly.
Documents ready to hand over
Prepare printed or digital FCI, the treatment log, the most recent Salmonella test result and a herd health certificate if required by the slaughterhouse. The vet can issue a health/movement certificate based on flock records.
Frequently asked questions about live broiler collection
How long is the pre-slaughter fast for broilers?add
Feed is typically withheld for 8–12 hours before loading and water for 2–4 hours. The exact time is set by the slaughterhouse contract and depends on transport time — the longer the journey to the slaughterhouse, the shorter the pre-loading fast, so that total time off feed does not exceed welfare norms.
What is FCI and who fills it in?add
FCI (Food Chain Information) is a document the farmer sends to the slaughterhouse before slaughter. It includes farm details, number of birds, medicines given in the last 60 days with withdrawal periods, test results and notes on flock health. The slaughterhouse cannot accept a batch without FCI.
What weight deductions does the slaughterhouse apply?add
Slaughterhouses deduct for: transport shrinkage (typically 0.3–0.5% depending on the contract), in-transit deaths, and container tare. Deduction terms are specified in the supply contract — always check them before signing and compare with KRD-IG industry norms.
Does the farmer have to be present during catching?add
Farmer presence or an authorised representative is recommended but usually not formally required. It is worth being on site to supervise bird welfare, resolve any access issues and confirm the weight ticket after loading.
What should I do if I have an active drug withdrawal period on the planned collection date?add
Notify the integrator or slaughterhouse immediately. Collection must be rescheduled to after the withdrawal period expires. Before every notification, check the current withdrawal status of all administered medicines in DlaFerm.pl — end dates are available in the flock treatment module.
What role does the catching crew play and who is responsible for them?add
The catching crew are workers (usually from an external firm) who catch birds from the poultry house and load them into containers. Responsibility for animal welfare during catching rests with both the farmer and the slaughterhouse under Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009. Document catching conditions (time, temperature, number of fractures) — if a quality claim arises, you have evidence of correct handling.
Sources & resources
- linkChief Veterinary Inspectorate — requirements for poultry slaughter and transport
- linkCouncil Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (EUR-Lex)
- linkKRD-IG — Polish Poultry Council Industry Chamber — industry norms and standards
- linkGov.pl — Food Chain Information (FCI) requirements for animal slaughter
- linkEUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) 853/2004 (hygiene rules for animal products, Annex II Section III — FCI)
Plan live bird collection with DlaFerm.pl
Want to see how DlaFerm.pl tracks flock weight and reminds you when withdrawal periods expire? Write to us.
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