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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

TH.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.AH.2.a

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

TH.AH.2.b

Records are up to date.

TH.AH.2.d

Cull records for each hatching day.

Health and performance records

TH.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.AH.4.a

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

TH.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.AH.6.a

This includes stags during milking and hens during insemination.

TH.AH.6.b

Stags have been made accustomed to being handled.

TH.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.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

TH.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent.

TH.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

TH.AH.7.1.a

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

TH.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

TH.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

TH.AH.8

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.AH.8.a

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

TH.AH.8.b

Segregation pens are checked a minimum of twice per day.

TH.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.

TH.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

TH.AH.9.e

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent.

TH.AH.9.f

All trays containing newly hatched birds are examined immediately when removed from the hatcher trolley and birds are to be separated from the remains of the egg shells.

TH.AH.9.g

Embryos in hatchery waste are to be disposed of by the use of mechanical apparatus producing immediate death (instantaneous mechanical destruction).

TH.AH.9.h

Hatchery waste and debris should never enter such a mechanical device alongside live unviable poults.

TH.AH.9.i

Euthanasia is carried out by one of the following methods at no more than 15 minute intervals: - instantaneous mechanical destruction - exposure to a gas mixture, either 1) 90% argon and max. 2% oxygen or 2) argon/carbon dioxide mixture containing max. 30% carbon dioxide, min. 60% argon and max. 2% oxygen

TH.AH.9.j

Dislocation of the neck is used only where immediate culling is required and is limited to a maximum of 70 poults by any one operator.

TH.AH.9.k

Staff that euthanase poults are trained.

TH.AH.9.1

Standards

Documented procedures are in place to cover the handling of poults for culling and methods of disposal of those culled poults

How you will be measured

TH.AH.9.1.a

Procedure includes details on: - equipment operation, setting-up, maintenance and cleaning - storage of culled poults and egg shells
  • Documented procedure for handling poults to be culled
  • Documented procedure covering methods of disposal of culled poults

TH.AH.10

Standards

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella under the National Control Plan.

How you will be measured

TH.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory.

TH.AH.10.b

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

TH.AH.10.c

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

TH.AH.10.d

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

TH.AH.10.e

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

TH.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
  • Sampling Plan written by vet
  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure

TH.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

TH.AH.10.2

Standards

Hatcheries must be monitored for Salmonella.

How you will be measured

TH.AH.10.2.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory.

Salmonella testing records kept for two years

  • 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