What’s it all about then?

As a Poultry Catcher you’ll be a member of a team travelling to a number of poultry farms on a daily basis and catching live birds, and loading them safely into module drawers for shipment.

You and the other team members will report to a Foreperson who makes sure that all of the work is carried out efficiently and on schedule, with the welfare of the birds a prime concern.

What might I be doing?

There are a variety of tasks associated with the role of Catcher:

• Preparing module drawers for the receipt of birds
• Using Personal Protective Equipment properly
• Ensuring high standards of hygiene at all times
• Following all onsite rules for bio-security, Health & Safety etc.
• Assisting with the selection and catching of birds
• Catching and restraining birds in compliance with welfare rules and making sure that they undergo minimum levels of stress
• Ensuring that birds are loaded properly into module drawers
• Helping to load and unload birds
• Accurate record keeping
• Taking instruction from Foreperson at all times

What will be expected of me?

You will need to be someone who has no difficulty handling poultry and be prepared to work in what will be a dark and smelly environment.

You’ll also need to be someone who is prepared and able to undertake physical work as the work can be extremely demanding.

For such a job you’ll also be expected to have a keen sense of how to work safely and hygienically so previous experience is favourable.

In order to catch and hold the birds humanely you’ll need to have a good level of manual dexterity.

You’ll have to have a very positive attitude to your work and be able to complete tasks quickly and efficiently.

What can I expect?

You will work 40 hours per week but this is very likely to entail working shifts in order to facilitate your customers who of course will be those working in the processing facility.

The job of catcher may also be one which you can do on a part time basis.

The job will involve the use of PPE and most of the catching will take place in the poultry houses where the birds are kept.

What about the pay?

The rates of pay will vary from place to place and employer to employer but a catcher can expect to start at somewhere around £15000 per annum.

This rate will likely increase as you gain experience and your skills level improves.

Please note this figure is for your guidance only and you should always check for up to date information.

What qualifications do I need to get in?

There are no specific qualifications needed for the job of catcher; it’s more important that you like handling and working in close proximity to poultry.

You will find that your employer will provide you with training in a variety of important topics such as:

• Food Safety and Bio Security
• Health and Safety
• Using Personal Protective Equipment properly
• Specific training in the catching role

The British Poultry Training Initiative requires any employer to make sure that all employees are trained to minimum agreed standards.

Where would I get these qualifications?

Your employer will provide you with all the training you need to become an expert at the role of catcher.

This is likely to include the above plus a course in Poultry Welfare.

What about further training?

If you are prepared to work hard and become skilled you will find that your employer will want to train you up further and develop your skills and usefulness to the company.

Anything else I might need to know?

Yes you could work in various types of farms and systems e.g. with breeding poultry birds, with layers producing eggs for the food chain as well as with birds bred for meat.

The structure of the industry means that there are lots of opportunities for those prepared to work hard at their job.