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ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Version 5.1

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

KG.AH.1 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KG.AH.1.a

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

KG.AH.1.b

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

KG.AH.1.c

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

KG.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases.

KG.AH.1.e

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

KG.AH.1.f

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

KG.AH.1.g

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

Health Plan

KG.AH.2

Standards

Records of the health and performance of all birds must be maintained. (Revised)

How you will be measured

KG.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles.

KG.AH.2.b

Records are up to date.

KG.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

KG.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly.

How you will be measured

KG.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues.

KG.AH.3.b

If key issues are identified, veterinary advice is sought

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

KG.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KG.AH.4.a

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

KG.AH.4.1

Standards

Environmental enrichment in the form of bathing water and straw is provided at all times from day old. (Revised)

How you will be measured

KG.AH.4.1.a

50% of water provision is allocated as bathing water which equates to 30cm per 100 birds: - the water facilities allow the duck to cover their head and take water up by the bill so that they can shake water over the body without difficulty - bathing water can be provided in, for example, troughs, bells, baths or showers

KG.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly.

How you will be measured

KG.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress.

KG.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily.

KG.AH.5.c

Ducklings are closely monitored on arrival.

KG.AH.5.d

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

KG.AH.5.e

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

Flock inspection records

KG.AH.5.1

Standards

Records of welfare outcome scores, which are carried out during processing are kept for each flock.

How you will be measured

KG.AH.5.1.a

Welfare outcome scores include: - feather cleanliness - feather coverage - foot health - ocular health - nostril health

KG.AH.5.1.b

Welfare outcome scoring is carried as per the Duck Welfare Outcome Protocol, available on the Red Tractor website.

Welfare outcome score records

KG.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

KG.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KG.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

KG.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent.

KG.AH.7.1

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KG.AH.7.1.a

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

KG.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

KG.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

KG.AH.8

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KG.AH.8.a

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

KG.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

KG.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person.

KG.AH.9.b

Ducks of 3kg and under are euthanased by neck dislocation.

KG.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 (HAS).

KG.AH.9.d

Staff that euthanase birds are trained.

KG.AH.10

Standards

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella.

How you will be measured

KG.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory.

KG.AH.10.b

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

KG.AH.10.c

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

KG.AH.10.d

Litter samples are taken two weeks prior to slaughter and tested.
  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure

KG.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.