Day 102 - 13 Mar 95 - Page 36


     
     1        A.  Yes.
     2
     3   Q.   -- and once you lift the barrier is thinned the number of
     4        chickens there?
     5        A.  Yes.
     6
     7   Q.   But the thinning is incidental to the catching of the
     8        pullets?
     9        A.  That is right, yes.
    10
    11   Q.   But you do not catch, if I understand your answers, pullets
    12        at any different time of day to cockerels?
    13        A.  No.
    14
    15   Q.   It is another catching operation?
    16        A.  Yes, that is correct.
    17
    18   MS. STEEL:  When catching is done in daylight, that is the time
    19        when it is more likely that the birds will climb over each
    20        other and get in a pile, is it not?
    21        A.  It is possible that if care is not taken that that
    22        could happen, but it could happen whether it is daylight or
    23        not.
    24
    25   Q.   If it is daylight when the shed doors are open there will
    26        be bright light in the shed?
    27        A.  Yes.
    28
    29   Q.   Which could startle the birds?
    30        A.  Yes.
    31
    32   Q.   The birds are not used to that?
    33        A.  Yes, it could do.
    34
    35   Q.   That can result in them all climbing on top of each other?
    36        A.  It could do if proper precautions are not taken.
    37
    38   Q.   And smothering occurs?
    39        A.  It could do.
    40
    41   Q.   What are the proper precautions that you mentioned?
    42        A.  Well, they are described in these procedures and,
    43        basically, it is allowing birds time and sufficient space
    44        to move according to the stimulus that is being provided.
    45        Whether it is light, whether it is a forklift, whatever it
    46        is coming into the house, the birds must be given time to
    47        move.
    48
    49   Q.   What is the set procedure then, can you just explain, from
    50        opening the doors or whatever --- 
    51        A.  Well --- 
    52 
    53   Q.   -- however it is carried out?
    54        A.  -- when the doors are opened sufficient space has to be
    55        cleared to allow the forklift and the modules to come into
    56        the house and to be placed inside the house.  So, the
    57        catching foreman, along with the farm manager, will
    58        normally push the birds sideways or towards the back of the
    59        shed to give sufficient space to allow the forklift and
    60        modules to come in.

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