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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:

Proactive management of the health and welfare of all birds through planning and reviewing

TG.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

TG.AH.1.a

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

TG.AH.1.b

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

TG.AH.1.c

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

TG.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases

TG.AH.1.e

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

TG.AH.1.f

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

TG.AH.1.g

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

Flock Health Plan

TG.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TG.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles

TG.AH.2.b

Records are up to date

TG.AH.2.c

Health and performance records contain as a minimum: – number of eggs, poults or birds delivered – date eggs/poults/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 – any problems or extraordinary events – veterinary advice

Health and performance records

TG.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly

How you will be measured

TG.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues

TG.AH.3.b

If key issues are identified, veterinary advice is sought

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

Aim:

The health and welfare of all birds is being checked and managed

TG.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TG.AH.4.a

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

TG.AH.4.1

Standards

Environmental enrichment must be provided from day 7 at the latest

How you will be measured

TG.AH.4.1.a

Environmental enrichment is evenly spaced throughout the house and consists of at least 1 pecking object per 500 birds

TG.AH.4.1.b

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

TG.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

TG.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress

TG.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily

TG.AH.5.c

Poults are closely monitored on arrival

TG.AH.5.d

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

TG.AH.5.e

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

Flock inspection records

TG.AH.5.1

Standards

Signs of pododermatitis must be monitored and recorded

How you will be measured

TG.AH.5.1.a

Veterinary advice sought if pododermatitis exceeds normal levels

Pododermatitis records

TG.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TG.AH.6.a

This includes stags during milking and hens during insemination

TG.AH.6.b

Stags have been made accustomed to being handled

Aim:

The health and welfare of all birds is being managed by competent people

TG.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TG.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

TG.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent

TG.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

TG.AH.7.1.a

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

TG.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

TG.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

Aim:

Effective and appropriate management of sick or injured birds

TG.AH.8 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TG.AH.8.a

This could include the use of segregation pens with stocking density no greater than 19 kg/m2

TG.AH.8.b

Segregation pens are checked a minimum of twice per day

TG.AH.8.c

Key staff will be able to identify signs of bird behaviour/abnormalities, disease or illness and have the knowledge to take appropriate action including the seeking of support from the Welfare Officer or vet on how and when to euthanase turkeys

Aim:

Effective and appropriate management of sick and injured livestock

TG.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

TG.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person

TG.AH.9.b

Turkeys under 5kg can be euthanased by neck dislocation, a percussion killer recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legislation and recommended by the HSA

TG.AH.9.c

Turkeys over 5kg are to be euthanased by a percussive killer recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legislation and recommended by the HSA

TG.AH.9.d

Staff that euthanase birds are trained

Aim:

Effective and appropriate management of sick or injured birds

TG.AH.10

Standards

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella under the National Control Plan

How you will be measured

TG.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory

TG.AH.10.b

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

TG.AH.10.c

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

TG.AH.10.d

Testing is carried out according to a written sampling plan set out by a vet

TG.AH.10.e

This includes poult fluff, meconiums, hatcher tray liners or poult box liners

TG.AH.10.f

Records of tests are kept which include: - the date on which each flock is sampled for Salmonella - 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

TG.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

  • Further information on animal health and welfare is given in the Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock – Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens and at www.gov.uk/animal-welfare
  • Guidance on animal health and disease can be found at www.nadis.org.uk
  • The Humane Slaughter Association provide information on euthanasia on their website www.hsa.org.uk