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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

CD.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

CD.AH.1.a

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

CD.AH.1.b

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

CD.AH.1.c

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

CD.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases

CD.AH.1.e

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

CD.AH.1.f

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

CD.AH.1.g

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

Flock Health Plan

CD.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CD.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles

CD.AH.2.b

Records are up to date

CD.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

CD.AH.2.d

- Any problems or extraordinary events - Veterinary advice

Health and performance records

CD.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly

How you will be measured

CD.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues

CD.AH.3.c

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

CD.AH.3.d

If tolerance limits are exceeded veterinary advice is sought

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

CD.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CD.AH.4.a

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

CD.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

CD.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress

CD.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily

CD.AH.5.c

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

CD.AH.5.d

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

CD.AH.5.e

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

Flock inspection records

CD.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

CD.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CD.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

CD.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent

CD.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

CD.AH.7.1.a

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

CD.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

CD.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

CD.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

CD.AH.8.a

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

CD.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

CD.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person

CD.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 HSA

CD.AH.9.c

Staff that euthanase birds are trained

CD.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

CD.AH.10.1.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory

CD.AH.10.1.b

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

CD.AH.10.1.c

Samples are taken from each breeding flock: - when the birds in the flock are chicks (chick box liners — one liner for each 500 chicks delivered, up to a maximum of 10 liners per hatchery delivery. - all chicks dead on arrival and culls at day old- up to a maximum of 60 per hatchery delivery) - when the birds in the flock are four weeks old - two weeks before the date the flock is expected to come into lay or move to the laying phase or laying unit (samples to be boot swabs or faeces as outlined in the NCP)

CD.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

CD.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

CD.AH.10.1.g

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

CD.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

CD.AH.10.5

Standards

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

How you will be measured

CD.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