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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

CL.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

CL.AH.1.a

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

CL.AH.1.b

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

CL.AH.1.c

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

CL.AH.1.d

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

CL.AH.1.e

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

CL.AH.1.f

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

CL.AH.1.g

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

Health Plan

CL.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CL.AH.2.a

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

CL.AH.2.b

Records are up to date.

CL.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

CL.AH.2.d

- Any problems or extraordinary events - Veterinary advice

Health and performance records

CL.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly.

How you will be measured

CL.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues.

CL.AH.3.c

Tolerance limits are in place: - mortality should not exceed 5%

CL.AH.3.d

If tolerance limits are exceeded veterinary advice is sought.

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

CL.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CL.AH.4.a

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

CL.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly.

How you will be measured

CL.AH.5.a

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

CL.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily.

CL.AH.5.c

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

CL.AH.5.d

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

CL.AH.5.e

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

Flock inspection records

CL.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

CL.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CL.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

CL.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent.

CL.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

CL.AH.7.1.a

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

CL.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

CL.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

CL.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

CL.AH.8.a

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

CL.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

CL.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person.

CL.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 HAS.

CL.AH.9.c

Staff that euthanase birds are trained.

CL.AH.10.1

Standards

Breeder Layer and Breeder Replacement flocks must be monitored for Salmonella under the National Control Plan.

How you will be measured

CL.AH.10.1.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory.

CL.AH.10.1.b

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

CL.AH.10.1.d

Samples are taken from each breeding flock: - two weeks before the date the flock is expected to come into lay or move to the laying phase or laying unit - every second week during the laying period or every three weeks if a derogation has been given by APHA when the country has achieved its national target

CL.AH.10.1.e

Records of tests are kept which include: - the date on which the sample was taken and the type of sample (boot swab or pooled faeces) - 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

CL.AH.10.1.f

Egg supplies cease immediately from a house if S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium is positively confirmed: - egg supplies are recovered, destroyed and disposed of

CL.AH.10.1.g

Slaughter programme is implemented if S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium is positively confirmed.

CL.AH.10.1.h

Subsequent flocks are not brought onto farm until it is confirmed as Salmonella negative.
  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure
  • Environmental swab test results

CL.AH.10.3

Standards

Flocks must be tested to determine Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae status. (Revised)

How you will be measured

CL.AH.10.3.a

Flocks are tested as a minimum: - at 27 weeks old - between 45-47 weeks old

CL.AH.10.3.b

Testing records with: - date of testing - result of testing are retained for at least 5 years and communicated to the hatchery A positive test will be considered to be a field strain infection unless laboratory testing on the isolated Mycoplasma shows this is caused by a vaccine strain.

Flock M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae testing records

CL.AH.10.5

Standards

Parent stock must be vaccinated with a licensed S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium vaccine.

How you will be measured

CL.AH.10.5.a

In countries in which the Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that poultry are S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium free a derogation will be considered.

CL.AH.10.6

Standards

Moulting must not be induced.