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ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Version 5.1 (modified)

Click to view all ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

CB.AH.1 Key

Standards

A Flock Health Plan to proactively manage and improve health and welfare of birds must be established and implemented

How you will be measured

CB.AH.1.a

Is specific to a farm or group of farms under same company’s control

CB.AH.1.b

Is prepared and reviewed by the vet that has overall responsibility for the care of the animals

CB.AH.1.c

Is reviewed annually or more often in the event of substantial changes to husbandry practices or poor performance

CB.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases

CB.AH.1.e

Sets out health and husbandry procedures covering the whole of the production cycle/year

CB.AH.1.f

Sets out a vaccination programme, which is tailored to the needs of the farm

CB.AH.1.g

Is available to all members of staff who have responsibility for birds

Flock Health Plan

CB.AH.2

Standards

Records of the health and performance of all birds must be maintained

How you will be measured

CB.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles

CB.AH.2.b

Records are up to date

CB.AH.2.c

Health and performance records contain as a minimum: – number of eggs, chicks or birds delivered – date eggs/chicks/birds delivered – origin of flock (hatchery, breeder flock) – breed – daily mortality rate and cumulative daily mortality rate, including culls – hatchability (where eggs are hatched on-farm) – date of sale, number sold and average weight – litter used – incidence of disease – post-mortem records – levels of P.M.I. rejections

CB.AH.2.d

- Any problems or extraordinary events - Veterinary advice

Health and performance records

CB.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly

How you will be measured

CB.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues

CB.AH.3.b

Tolerance limits are in place: - mortality should not exceed 5% - P.M.I rejections should not exceed 1.5%

CB.AH.3.d

If tolerance limits are exceeded veterinary advice is sought

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

CB.AH.4

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be met at all times

How you will be measured

CB.AH.4.a

Any health or welfare issues have been detected and are being managed

CB.AH.4.1

Standards

Environmental enrichment must be provided from day 3 at the latest

How you will be measured

CB.AH.4.1.b

Environmental enrichment is evenly spaced throughout the house

CB.AH.4.1.c

Bales: - at least 1 bale per 1000 birds used throughout the bird’s life - bales of shavings or straw (processed or chopped) are wrapped or treated (except where homegrown or locally procured straw is used) - bales are placed in the house prior to chick placement and are evenly distributed by day 3

CB.AH.4.1.d

Perches/platforms perches: - At least 2 linear metres of usable perch space per 1000 birds or - 0.3m2 of platform perch per 1000 birds - perches/platforms perches should be no more than 15cm off the ground - perches/platform perches promote natural perching behaviour and do not cause damage/injury to birds

CB.AH.4.1.f

Pecking objects: - at least 1 pecking object per 1000 birds

CB.AH.4.1.g

When reusable, environmental enrichment is capable of being cleaned and disinfected

CB.AH.4.1.h

Enrichments are maintained/replaced throughout the rearing period, as necessary

CB.AH.4.1.i

After a thin, all environmental enrichment is replaced to ensure the correct level of enrichment for the number of birds in the shed

CB.AH.4.2

Standards

Where eggs are hatched on-farm they must not be placed until day 17 of the incubation period

Egg delivery records

CB.AH.4.3

Standards

Only eggs that have been candled at the hatchery may be placed for hatching on farm

Confirmation of candling on egg delivery records

CB.AH.4.4

Standards

Where eggs are hatched on-farm, eggs are monitored regularly during hatching

How you will be measured

CB.AH.4.4.a

Eggs are monitored at least 3 times daily

Flock inspection records

CB.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

CB.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress

CB.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily

CB.AH.5.c

Chicks are monitored at least 3 times daily until 72 hours of age

CB.AH.5.d

Stockmen walk within 3m of every bird and encourage them to move

CB.AH.5.e

Records of inspections are made and include observations, problems identified and any remedial action taken

Flock inspection records

CB.AH.5.1

Standards

Signs of hock marking and pododermatitis must be monitored and recorded

How you will be measured

CB.AH.5.1.a

Levels of hock marking should not normally exceed 15%

Hock marking and pododermatitis records

CB.AH.6 Key

Standards

Birds must be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimises stress

CB.AH.7 Key

Standards

All persons looking after the health and welfare of birds/chicks must be demonstrably competent

How you will be measured

CB.AH.7.a

Staff have skills and knowledge in: - normal and abnormal bird behaviour - fear reactions - signs of good health and poor health and disease - correct handling of birds - litter management - signs of thermal stress in birds and procedures to be followed in event of a problem

CB.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent

CB.AH.7.1

Standards

There must be a named Welfare Officer who is responsible for co-ordinating welfare on-farm/in the hatchery

How you will be measured

CB.AH.7.1.a

The Welfare Officer's name and contact number are displayed on farm/in the hatchery

CB.AH.7.1.b

The Welfare Officer is responsible for: - liaison with vets, Defra, APHA - ensuring all staff are fully trained in welfare issues - monitoring welfare policies, procedures and standards

CB.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

All poultry farms/hatcheries must retain the services of a named veterinary surgeon or practice

CB.AH.8 Key

Standards

Sick or injured birds/chicks must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged

How you will be measured

CB.AH.8.a

If mortality by house exceeds 0.3% in a 24 hour period the cause is investigated

CB.AH.9 Key

Standards

Birds that do not respond to treatment or require emergency euthanasia must be promptly and humanely euthanased by a trained and competent person

How you will be measured

CB.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person

CB.AH.9.b

Euthanasia is carried out by dislocation of the neck, a percussion killer recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legislation and recommended by the HSA

CB.AH.9.c

Staff that euthanase birds are trained

CB.AH.9.1

Standards

Where eggs are hatched on-farm, nonviable chicks must be promptly and humanely euthanased by a trained and competent person

How you will be measured

CB.AH.9.1.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person

CB.AH.9.1.b

In shell embryos (unhatched or partially pipped eggs) and non-viable chicks are euthanased in accordance with relevant legislation

CB.AH.9.1.c

Euthanasia is carried out within 15 minutes of the decision to euthanase

CB.AH.9.2

Standards

All equipment used for euthanasia of birds, chicks and embryos must be inspected daily by trained and competent staff to ensure it is working effectively

How you will be measured

CB.AH.9.2.a

If a problem is identified, use of the equipment is stopped and corrective action taken

CB.AH.9.2.b

Equipment is appropriate for the type of cull.

CB.AH.9.2.c

A documented back-up method of euthanasia is in place in case of equipment failure

Documented back-up method

CB.AH.10

Standards

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella under the National Control Plan

How you will be measured

CB.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory

CB.AH.10.b

Where a flock has been confirmed as infected a written cleaning and disinfection procedure is implemented

CB.AH.10.c

Confirmed infected flocks are sent for slaughter at the end of the processing plant’s daily programme

CB.AH.10.d

Two pairs of boot swabs per flock (house or airspace) are taken within three weeks of any slaughter

CB.AH.10.f

Records of tests are kept which include: - the date on which the sample was taken - where there is more than one flock on the holding, the identification of the flock. The flock should be identified by the house name/number, month and year the flock was moved into the house - the age of the flock sampled - the Government approved laboratory to which the sample was sent and the result of each test when it is received from the testing laboratory the date of intended slaughter
  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure