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HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

Version 5.0 (streamlined)

Click to view all HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

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.

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Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

DR.HF.1 Key

Standards

Housing must be constructed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for livestock (Upgraded)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.1.a

Housing secure to prevent straying/escaping

DR.HF.1.b

There are no sharp edges, projections or other features presenting a hazard to livestock

DR.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to livestock

DR.HF.1.d

Lights over feed troughs are shatterproof/protected

DR.HF.1.e

No unmanaged welfare outcomes in relation to hair loss, lesions and swellings

DR.HF.2

Standards

Effective ventilation of housing to minimise high humidity, build-up of odours and maintains a comfortable temperature must be provided

DR.HF.3

Standards

Floor surfaces are sound, well constructed and maintained and livestock can walk at ease without slipping or risk of injury

How you will be measured

DR.HF.3.b

Design of any slats are suitable for the species and do not cause livestock to slip or cause foot injuries. Non slatted lying areas provided to breeding cows, in-calf heifers, and calves

DR.HF.4 Key

Standards

Conditions in housing must be maintained in a manner that ensures livestock are able to keep clean (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.4.a

Lying areas are well-drained and regularly cleaned out to avoid a build-up of dirty bedding

DR.HF.4.b

All livestock sent to slaughter meet abattoir cleanliness specifications

DR.HF.4.c

Slurry and manure from loafing areas/areas at rear of cubicles is scraped/removed at least twice daily

DR.HF.4.d

No accumulation of excess water, urine, dung or slurry

DR.HF.4.e

No unmanaged welfare outcome issues in relation to cleanliness

DR.HF.4.1

Standards

Safe, suitable, and legal bedding is provided in lying areas

*please see additional audit points if Recycled Manure solids are being used as bedding material

How you will be measured

DR.HF.4.1.a

Bedding (used in lying areas including cubicles, loose housing, non-slatted lying areas, and corrals) is non-injurious, non-toxic and is absorptive

DR.HF.4.1.b

Where slatted flooring is used for newborn and young lambs, bedding is provided

DR.HF.4.1.c

Delivery records of waste materials used for bedding are kept e.g. recycled woodchip, paper

DR.HF.4.1.d

Waste exemptions to use such materials are registered with the Environment Agency and kept
  • Delivery Records

– Waste transfer notes
– Waste exemption records

DR.HF.4.2

Standards

Lying areas provide comfort (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.4.2.a

Comfort provided through provision of bedding, mattresses, matting.

DR.HF.4.2.b

No unmanaged welfare outcomes in relation to lesions caused by lying comfort

DR.HF.5

Standards

Housing must be lit during normal daylight hours (natural or artificial) to allow normal behaviours, rest and effective inspection of livestock (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.5.a

Adequate lighting (whether fixed or portable) is available to enable inspection of stock at any time

DR.HF.5.c

A period of rest from artificial lighting is provided daily

DR.HF.5.d

Fixed lighting is provided in all milking cow housing

DR.HF.6

Standards

Housing must be of sufficient size (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.6.a

Cubicle housing systems allow at least one cubicle per animal

DR.HF.6.b

Cubicle design and size is suitable for the animal breed and size

DR.HF.6.c

Group yards and loose housing systems allow space for them all to lie down simultaneously, rise without difficulty, turn around and stretch

DR.HF.6.d

Passage ways must be wide enough to facilitate cow movement so they can turn around easily

DR.HF.6.e

No unmanaged welfare outcomes in relation to housing size

DR.HF.6.1 Key

Standards

Tethered housing systems are not permitted. (Revised and Upgraded)

DR.HF.7

Standards

Livestock grouped according to age, size and production status (exception cow/calf, ewe/lamb, and goat/kid)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.7.b

Livestock (including stock bulls/bucks) allowed the sound and view of other livestock (except where segregated/isolated)

DR.HF.7.c

Fractious or fully horned cattle/goats are not mixed with unfamiliar groups or are removed from the group if there is evidence of injury or bullying

DR.HF.7.d

Sexually mature male and female livestock kept apart (unless breeding is planned)

DR.HF.8

Standards

Handling facilities (fixed or portable systems) must be in place or easily accessible (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.8.a

There are no sharp edges, projections or other features presenting a hazard to livestock or handlers

DR.HF.8.b

Sheep dip is covered when not in use.

DR.HF.8.c

A crush or restraining gates, if applicable, is structurally sound and stable

DR.HF.9

Standards

There must be appropriate facilities for livestock to give birth which are mainatined in accordance with scheme standards

How you will be measured

DR.HF.9.d

Restraining facility (e.g. crush/restraining gates) available for use when livestock give birth

DR.HF.10

Standards

Facilities must be available on-farm that enable the loading and unloading of livestock with minimal stress (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.HF.10.a

Adequate lighting to inspect stock at point of loading

DR.HF.10.b

Structurally sound and stable gates/barriers to prevent livestock escaping

DR.HF.10.c

Facilities are free from sharp edges or other projections which may cause injury to livestock and handlers

DR.HF.10.d

If loading ramps are used, they are designed to minimise risk of slipping and have secure side guards - ramp angles do not exceed 26.6° for adult cattle and sheep, 20° for calves.

DR.HF.10.e

The use of tailgating to overcome site access issues and minimise journey lengths is only permitted if it occurs within the loading site boundary, with suitable facilities (as defined in legislation)

DR.HF.11

Standards

Livestock kept outdoors must have access to shelter (natural or man-made; hedges, trees, walls) and well-drained lying areas (Revised)

DR.HF.12

Standards

There must be controls in place to minimise overgrazing and poaching

How you will be measured

DR.HF.12.a

Outdoor feeding areas are situated so that they do not become excessively poached or allow a large build-up of dung

DR.HF.12.b

Tracks and gateways are maintained to reduce the risk of foot damage or injury