catcher
Snapshot
Working on a poultry farm requires a specific skillset, and catchers play a vital role in ensuring the efficient and humane handling of birds. If you enjoy physical work and thrive in a team environment, a career as a catcher might be a good fit.
As a catcher, you'll be responsible for safely and efficiently capturing poultry on a farm, typically in preparation for processing or relocation. This work demands physical stamina, attention to detail, and the ability to work quickly and consistently. You’ll be part of a team, coordinating with others to ensure a smooth and organized process.
- • Quickly and carefully catching poultry by hand.
- • Moving caught birds to designated areas, such as transport crates or holding pens.
- • Working as part of a team to maintain a consistent workflow.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Agricultural, forestry and fishery labourers — 14 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark and 5 more.
Longest-running shortage: Lithuania, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could catcher fit you?
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Future Outlook for catcher
The outlook for catcher reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could catcher change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could catcher change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
Most tasks here are AI-assistable rather than purely human-led.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- load animals for transportation
- control animal movement
- apply animal hygiene practices
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Agriculture
A typical day as a catcher
09 09:00 · Morning apply animal hygiene practices
10 10:30 · Mid-morning load animals for transportation
12 12:00 · Midday control animal movement
14 14:00 · Afternoon handle poultry
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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livestock farming systems
The allocation of farming resources in relation to livestock farming and husbandry systems.
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livestock species
Livestock species and relevant genetics.
- animal welfare
- animal welfare legislation
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load animals for transportation
Load and unload animals safely into containers or cages for transportation. Make sure they are secure and safely established in the transport vehicle.
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control animal movement
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
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apply animal hygiene practices
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
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handle poultry
Handle poultry in compliance with animal welfare. Catch the poultry for examination or movement. Ensure safety of animals during loading for transport.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does catcher fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of physical fitness is required to be a catcher?
- The role is physically demanding, requiring good stamina, strength, and agility. You'll be on your feet for extended periods and performing repetitive motions. A basic level of fitness is essential.
- Is this a job that requires a lot of teamwork?
- Yes, catchers typically work as part of a team. Effective communication and coordination with colleagues are crucial for maintaining efficiency and ensuring the well-being of the birds.
- What are the typical working conditions for a catcher?
- You’ll primarily work outdoors, often in varying weather conditions. The environment can be dusty and noisy. Farms often have strict hygiene protocols, so adherence to those is important.
- Catcher — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 9 of the 13 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark and 5 more. Lithuania has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Catcher — what does it pay in the United States?
- $36,150 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $28,410 to $50,450. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Catcher — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 2 European countries: Austria, Hungary. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 3. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.