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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

KL.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

KL.AH.1.a

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

KL.AH.1.b

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

KL.AH.1.c

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

KL.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases

KL.AH.1.e

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

KL.AH.1.f

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

KL.AH.1.g

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

Flock Health Plan

KL.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KL.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles

KL.AH.2.b

Records are up to date

KL.AH.2.c

Health and performance records contain as a minimum: – number of eggs, ducklings or birds delivered – date eggs/ducklings/birds delivered – origin of flock (hatchery, breeder flock) – breed – daily mortality rate and cumulative daily mortality rate, including culls – date of sale, number sold and average weight – litter used – incidence of disease – post-mortem records – levels of PMI rejections – any problems or extraordinary events – veterinary advice

Health and performance records

KL.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly

How you will be measured

KL.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues

KL.AH.3.b

If key issues are identified, veterinary advice is sought

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

KL.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KL.AH.4.a

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

KL.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

KL.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress

KL.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily

KL.AH.5.c

Ducklings are closely monitored on arrival

KL.AH.5.d

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

KL.AH.5.e

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

Flock inspection records

KL.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

KL.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KL.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

KL.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent

KL.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

KL.AH.7.1.a

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

KL.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

KL.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

KL.AH.8 Key

Standards

Sick or injured birds/ducklings must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged
(UPGRADED)

How you will be measured

KL.AH.8.a

If mortality exceeds 0.5% in a 24 hour period the cause is investigated

KL.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

KL.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person

KL.AH.9.b

Ducks of 3kg and under are euthanased by neck dislocation

KL.AH.9.c

Ducks over 3kg are euthanased by a percussion killer or equivalent method permitted by legislation and recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA)

KL.AH.9.d

Staff that euthanase birds are trained

KL.AH.10

Standards

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella

How you will be measured

KL.AH.10.e

Composite faeces or boot samples are taken from each house at 20-24 weeks and thereafter every 12 weeks

KL.AH.10.f

Egg supplies cease immediately if either S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium is positively confirmed in a house and the following steps are taken: - all unhatched eggs are recovered, destroyed and disposed of - a slaughter programme is implemented - a written cleaning and disinfection procedure appropriate to ensure effective eradication of the pathogen is implemented once depletion is complete - inputs for subsequent flocks are not brought on farm until the farm is confirmed as Salmonella-negative

KL.AH.10.g

Parent stock are vaccinated with an approved Salmonella enteritidis and S. typhimurium vaccine
  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure

KL.AH.10.1

Standards

Where a flock has tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis and/or Typhimurium environmental swabs, representative of the building/housing must be taken and building/housing not restocked until two negative results have been obtained

Environmental swab test results

  • AH.4.1 – Access to water for bathing can assist ducks in meeting their biological requirements, such as wet preening. It is accepted that it is often impractical to provide open water for most birds because of risks to health, hygiene and food safety. It should be possible to observe ducks dipping their heads under the water, and being able to take water up by their bill and shaking water over their body without difficulty.