Image source: We Animals Media

CRUEL

CHICKEN HANDLING

IN THE UK

We are challenging the government over the inhumane practice of handling chickens by their legs. Existing legislation (The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, which transposes Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 from the EU) strictly forbids the harmful practice of handling animals by their legs. Until recently, this also applied to chickens, as this practice is just as harmful to them.

In July 2025, the government introduced an amendment to exempt chickens and turkeys from these legal protections.

The amendment has made it legal to catch these birds by both legs, even though there is clear evidence that this causes suffering and upright catching is better for their welfare. Prior to tabling the amendment, the government stated “We recognise that there is much evidence to suggest that upright catching by the body is the optimum handling method to directly minimise welfare harms” but went on to cite concerns that a transition to upright catching may not be feasible in commercial settings.

Our legal challenge

For decades, despite legislation prohibiting the practice, the government’s codes of practice for chickens bred for meat and eggs explicitly allowed handling chickens by their legs. In light of this, The Animal Law Foundation began legal proceedings against the government’s codes of practice. However, instead of updating their codes, they chose to change the law.

This is the first dilution of animal welfare legislation post-Brexit.

We were given permission to proceed with the judicial review by the High Court in July. The judge also gave us permission to amend our grounds to challenge the lawfulness of the consultation and change in law to permit the handling of chickens by their legs.

Source: We Animals Media

During transportation to slaughter, chickens bred for meat and eggs on British farms are often grabbed by one leg, held upside down with several chickens in one hand, and stuffed into crates.

This cruel practice is evidenced in the recent investigation by Animal Justice Project, with catchers on a farm seemingly grabbing as many as 5 distressed chickens in each hand.

Handling chickens by their legs results in:

  • Broken bones, dislocations, bruising and severe pain

  • The inability to breathe as chickens lack a diaphragm to keep their organs away from their lungs

  • Prolonged and intense stress

This is all in the name of minimal savings. Data from the Dutch animal protection organisation Eyes on Animals shows that the cost for eggs only increases by € 0.0004 per egg when using the upright handling method.

It is time to hold the UK Government accountable and demand action

Join us in ending the harmful handling of chickens in the UK. Together, we can make a significant impact, protect the welfare of these fragile birds, and uphold the values of compassion and justice for all animals.

Stand with us and the chickens who so desperately need your help now

TAKE ACTION NOW

Donate to help us challenge the government in court.