ui-arrow-rightui-button-arrowui-caret-downui-exclamationui-play-circle

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

EW.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

EW.AH.1.a

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

EW.AH.1.b

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

EW.AH.1.c

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

EW.AH.1.d

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

EW.AH.1.e

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

EW.AH.1.f

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

EW.AH.1.g

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

Health Plan

EW.AH.1.1 Key

Standards

Only breeds acceptable to the scheme can be used. (Revised)

How you will be measured

EW.AH.1.1.a

Acceptable breeds are: - Hubbard: JA757, JA787, JA957, JA987, Redbro (indoor use only), Norfolk Black, JACY57 - Aviagen: Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, Ranger Gold

Hatchery Delivery Note

EW.AH.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

EW.AH.2.a

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

EW.AH.2.b

Records are up to date.

EW.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

EW.AH.2.d

- Any problems or extraordinary events - Veterinary advice

Health and performance records

EW.AH.3

Standards

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly.

How you will be measured

EW.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues.

EW.AH.3.b

Tolerance limits are in place: - mortality should not exceed 5% - P.M.I rejections should not exceed 1.5%

EW.AH.3.d

If tolerance limits are exceeded veterinary advice is sought.

Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

EW.AH.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

EW.AH.4.a

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

EW.AH.4.1

Standards

Environmental enrichment must be provided from day 3 at the latest. (Revised)

How you will be measured

EW.AH.4.1.b

Environmental enrichment is evenly spaced throughout the house

EW.AH.4.1.c

Bales: - at least 1 bale per 1000 birds used throughout the bird’s life - bales of shavings or straw (processed or chopped) are wrapped or treated (except where homegrown or locally procured straw is used) - bales are placed in the house prior to chick placement and are evenly distributed by day 3

EW.AH.4.1.e

Perches/platforms perches: - 2 linear metres of usable perch space per 1000 birds or - 0.3m2 of platform perches per 1000 birds - perches/platforms perches should have a minimum height of 10cm to facilitate perching from an early age and a maximum height of 80cm off the ground, depending on the age of the birds - perches/platforms perches promote natural perching behaviour and do not cause damage/injury to birds

EW.AH.4.1.f

Pecking objects: - at least 1 pecking object per 1000 birds

EW.AH.4.1.g

When reusable, environmental enrichment is capable of being cleaned and disinfected.

EW.AH.4.1.h

Enrichments are maintained/replaced throughout the rearing period, as necessary.

EW.AH.4.1.i

After a thin, all environmental enrichment is replaced to ensure the correct level of enrichment for the number of birds in the shed.

EW.AH.4.2

Standards

Where eggs are hatched on-farm they must not be placed until day 17 of the incubation period. (Revised)

Egg delivery records

EW.AH.4.3

Standards

Only eggs that have been candled at the hatchery may be placed for hatching on farm.

Confirmation of candling on egg delivery records

EW.AH.4.4

Standards

Where eggs are hatched on-farm, eggs are monitored regularly during hatching.

How you will be measured

EW.AH.4.4.a

Eggs are monitored at least 3 times daily.

Flock inspection records

EW.AH.5

Standards

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly.

How you will be measured

EW.AH.5.a

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

EW.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily.

EW.AH.5.c

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

EW.AH.5.d

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

EW.AH.5.e

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

Flock inspection records

EW.AH.5.1

Standards

Signs of pododermatitis must be monitored and recorded.

How you will be measured

EW.AH.5.1.a

Levels of hock marking should not normally exceed 15%.

Hock marking and pododermatitis records

EW.AH.6 Key

Standards

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

EW.AH.7 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

EW.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

EW.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent.

EW.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

EW.AH.7.1.a

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

EW.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

EW.AH.7.2 Key

Standards

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

EW.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

EW.AH.8.a

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

EW.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

EW.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person.

EW.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.

EW.AH.9.c

Staff that euthanase birds are trained.

EW.AH.9.1

Standards

Where eggs are hatched on-farm, nonviable chicks must be promptly and humanely euthanased by a trained and competent person.

How you will be measured

EW.AH.9.1.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person.

EW.AH.9.1.b

In shell embryos (unhatched or partially pipped eggs) and non-viable chicks are euthanased in accordance with relevant legislation.

EW.AH.9.1.c

Euthanasia is carried out within 15 minutes of the decision to euthanase.

EW.AH.9.2

Standards

All equipment used for euthanasia of birds, chicks and embryos must be inspected daily by trained and competent staff to ensure it is working effectively.

How you will be measured

EW.AH.9.2.a

If a problem is identified, use of the equipment is stopped and corrective action taken.

EW.AH.9.2.b

Equipment is appropriate for the type of cull.

EW.AH.9.2.c

A documented back-up method of euthanasia is in place in case of equipment failure.

Documented back-up method

EW.AH.10

Standards

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

How you will be measured

EW.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory.

EW.AH.10.b

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

EW.AH.10.c

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

EW.AH.10.d

Two pairs of boot swabs per flock (house or airspace) are taken within three weeks of any slaughter.

EW.AH.10.f

Records of tests are kept which include: - the date on which the sample was taken - 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