Day 089 - 15 Feb 95 - Page 47
1
2 Q. So, it is three across the top and three vertical rows?
3 A. As I remember it, it is either nine or 12, I cannot
4 remember.
5
6 Q. If it were 12, would it be four up and three across or four
7 across and three up?
8 A. Four across and three up, if it was.
9
10 Q. What are the risks of damage to the bird involved or
11 implicated in the use of that particular system?
12 A. The birds are placed in the drawers and then when the
13 drawer -- the appropriate number of birds in each drawer
14 depends on the size of birds and the temperature, ambient
15 temperature. When the drawers are full, they are pushed
16 shut. Obviously, that procedure must be carried out gently
17 so that the birds are not disturbed or their wings or any
18 limbs are caught between the drawer and module.
19
20 Q. Do you have times when the head is caught -- I think you
21 said a moment ago that you did -- at the top of the drawer?
22 A. Well, the head should never be caught if the catchers
23 are doing their job properly. There is absolutely no
24 reason why that should happen.
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26 Q. Are the birds thrown, dropped or placed in the containers?
27 A. The birds are lifted off the floor and placed in the
28 containers.
29
30 Q. You said that the density varies according to size and
31 weather conditions, I think?
32 A. That is correct.
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34 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes, have I missed a stage? You say "lifted
35 off the floor"?
36 A. Yes. So they are lifted off the floor, they are caught
37 by one leg, holding three chickens in each hand.
38
39 Q. I understand that, and then the catcher walks some
40 distance, does he, or does he have the tray next to him?
41 A. Well, the trays and the modules are driven in on a
42 tractor so that they are right next to where the catchers
43 are catching.
44
45 Q. So, he has got to walk to the edge?
46 A. So, he just walks a short distance and then back to the
47 module.
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49 MR. RAMPTON: I am not sure that I have understood this
50 correctly. For what distance does the catcher have to
51 carry the bird by its legs?
52 A. Usually no further than about 15 feet.
53
54 Q. Are the birds caught at any part of the shed or are
55 they -----
56 A. They are caught in sections. We partition off sections
57 and catch sections at a time so that you are not disturbing
58 the whole house as you do it. You only catch sections.
59 They are cordoned off. The modules are driven in and
60 placed beside that section that they are catching, so that
