**1. Introduction**

Catching is the first step in the pre-slaughter chain of broiler chickens [1]. In this process, the broilers are transferred from the floor of the broiler house into transport modules, which are then loaded onto vehicles for transport to the abattoir.

The catching process may be performed mechanically or manually [2]. Under commercial manual catching conditions, the broilers are commonly caught and carried by one leg, with three to five broilers in one hand and one or two in the other hand [3,4]. The broilers are carried inverted to the transport module, which is usually a container with several drawers where the animals are crated. The catching and crating process may cause stress [1,2,5,6], injuries, and mortality [7–9] and hence, compromise the welfare of the broiler chickens. The Humane Slaughter Association and EU's "Animal Transport Guides" (Consortium of the Animal Transport Guides Project) recommend catching birds individually with a grip over the wings, in an upright position [3,10]. The same catching method is recommended in Brazil due to a reduced risk of injuries for the birds [11]. Catching and carrying in an upright position can reduce handling stress, measured as corticosteroid concentration [12,13]. Furthermore, handling in an inverted position leads to prolonged tonic immobility, which is a commonly used measure of fear [14]. If the birds are to be caught and carried inverted, several organizations recommend that the best practice is to catch the birds by both legs [3,15]. Approximately four billion broiler chickens are kept for meat production in the European Union [16]. The number of birds implies that injuries and poor welfare even in a small portion of the poultry population affects a large number of animals [17]. Hence, reducing stress and injuries during catching and carrying is of utmost importance.

Knowledge, skills and training of personnel involved in handling animals are fundamental in improving the welfare of commercial livestock [18]. However, there is little scientific literature concerning different manual catching methods of poultry. It is, therefore, necessary to improve scientific knowledge regarding how different manual catching methods affect broiler welfare. This knowledge can be used by the industry to ensure that catchers are trained according to best practice. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the effects of two different manual catching methods; catching by two legs or catching under the abdomen in an upright position. Since catching may affect animal welfare, as well as put a strain on the workers, logistics and economy, the following indicators were recorded: Crating time of individual transport modules, the number of birds in each drawer, wing and leg fractures, birds on their back in the drawers observed in lairage, and broilers dead-on-arrival (DOA).
