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HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

Version 5.1 (modified)

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.

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:

HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

KF.HF.1 Key

Standards

Housing/hatchery must be constructed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for birds/ducklings

How you will be measured

KF.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains birds

KF.HF.1.b

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

KF.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to birds/ducklings

KF.HF.1.d

Repairs and maintenance are carried out between production cycles except where delays could affect bird welfare

KF.HF.1.1

Standards

The sound level in housing must be minimised

How you will be measured

KF.HF.1.1.a

Ventilation fans, feeding machinery and other equipment is constructed, placed, operated and maintained in a way that causes the least amount of noise

KF.HF.2

Standards

Housing/hatchery must be appropriately and effectively ventilated

How you will be measured

KF.HF.2.d

Ventilation minimises high humidity, build-up of odours and maintains a comfortable temperature

KF.HF.2.e

Pop-holes are evenly distributed around the house

KF.HF.2.f

Pop-holes make up a combined length of at least 4m per 100m2 of floor space

KF.HF.2.g

Pop-holes are a minimum height of 450mm

KF.HF.2.1

Standards

Temperature records must be kept

How you will be measured

KF.HF.2.1.a

Records kept of minimum and maximum daily temperatures at bird/duckling level

Temperature records

KF.HF.2.2

Standards

A written policy must be in place outlining recognition of and procedures to be followed in the event of heat or cold stress occurring

How you will be measured

KF.HF.2.2.a

Heat stress policy and ventilation plan is implemented

KF.HF.2.2.b

Policy reviewed in the event of bird losses due to an exceptional weather incident

Heat and cold stress policy

KF.HF.3

Standards

Floors must be constructed and maintained in a manner that minimises the risk of injury

How you will be measured

KF.HF.3.c

Floors in fixed housing are made of concrete or asphalt

KF.HF.3.d

Floors are well drained

KF.HF.4 Key

Standards

Conditions within the housing must be maintained in a manner that ensures birds are able to keep clean

How you will be measured

KF.HF.4.a

A written cleaning and disinfection policy in place, which contains: - cleaning and disinfection procedures for house, house furniture, egg storage facilities, water tanks and bulk feed bins - handling of waste materials; litter, packaging, feed spillages - details of Defra approved disinfectants and detergents used, including safe usage, storage and dilution

KF.HF.4.c

Whenever bird accommodation is emptied it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the policy

KF.HF.4.d

Swabs are taken for environmental bacteria and are cultured in a Government approved laboratory – records are kept of these tests

KF.HF.4.f

Bedding/bale stores are cleaned and disinfected whenever they are emptied

KF.HF.4.g

Non-bird biosecure areas have a full clean-down between flock cycles, areas include but are not limited to: - feed stores/buildings - the range
  • Cleaning and disinfection policy
  • Cleaning records
  • Environmental bacteria test records

KF.HF.4.1

Standards

Surfaces within housing/hatchery must be in good condition and must be able to be cleaned and disinfected

KF.HF.4.2

Standards

Flocks are provided with clean, fresh bedding to a minimum depth of 2cm

How you will be measured

KF.HF.4.2.a

Products which expand to a minimum depth of 2cm can be used

KF.HF.4.2.b

Bedding is not re-used: - areas around water facilities and slats may be free of bedding

KF.HF.4.3

Standards

Bedding must remain in a dry, friable condition

KF.HF.4.4

Standards

Bedding stored in the open is stored on pallets and is covered

How you will be measured

KF.HF.4.4.a

The cover provides protection from water, birds and vermin

KF.HF.4.4.b

Damaged or wet bales are not used

KF.HF.4.5

Standards

Bedding is traceable

Record of origin of bedding

KF.HF.4.9

Standards

It is recommended that bales are stored in buildings which do not allow for the ingress of wild birds or rodents

KF.HF.5

Standards

Housing/hatchery must be lit to allow normal behaviours, rest and effective inspection of birds/ducklings

How you will be measured

KF.HF.5.a

Lighting intensity is at least 20 lux, measured at least once per crop, at bird eye level and illuminating at least 80% of the useable area, during lighting periods

KF.HF.5.c

Reductions in lighting made only on advice of vet

KF.HF.5.d

Lighting patterns are recorded
  • Light level records
  • Lighting pattern records

KF.HF.5.1

Standards

Lighting follows a 24 hour rhythm

How you will be measured

KF.HF.5.1.a

This occurs within 7 days of the ducks being placed in the building

KF.HF.5.1.b

24 hour rhythm includes: - period of uninterrupted darkness lasting at least 6 hours - a minimum of 8 hours natural daylight or artificial light

KF.HF.5.1.c

Transition between light and dark periods occurs over a period of at least 30 minutes

KF.HF.5.2

Standards

Birds must have access to the range for at least half their lives

Pop-hole opening records

KF.HF.5.3

Standards

Birds have access to the range for a minimum of 8 hours a day

How you will be measured

KF.HF.5.3.a

Pop-holes are open for 8 hours except where: - natural daylight lasts less than 8 hours - there are inclement weather conditions

Pop-hole opening records

KF.HF.5.4

Standards

Shelter/cover must be provided on the range
(REVISED)

How you will be measured

KF.HF.5.4.a

Natural shelter/cover is encouraged, however where this is not present, artificial cover must be provided (e.g. camouflage netting, big bales, A frames)

KF.HF.5.5

Standards

It is recommended that windows equating to 3% of the floor area are fitted in all buildings which house birds

How you will be measured

KF.HF.5.5.a

The windows equate to a minimum of 3% of the floor area

KF.HF.5.5.b

Windows are evenly distributed providing uniform daylight throughout the building

KF.HF.6 Key

Standards

Housing/duckling areas must be of sufficient size

How you will be measured

KF.HF.6.a

Birds are not kept in cages

KF.HF.6.b

Stocking density is in line with the following: Bird Weight (KG) = 1.5, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 17 Bird Weight (KG) = 2, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 18 Bird Weight (KG) = 2.5, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 20 Bird Weight (KG) = 3, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 21 Bird Weight (KG) = 3.5, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 22 Bird Weight (KG) = 4, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 23 Bird Weight (KG) = 4.5, Max. Stocking Density kg/m2 = 24

KF.HF.6.c

The range comprises an area mainly covered by vegetation of no less than 2m2/bird
  • Duckling placement records
  • Flock weight records

KF.HF.6.1

Standards

Houses must have plates which highlight important information

How you will be measured

KF.HF.6.1.a

Plates list: - total floor space available to the birds - number of feeders and drinkers - feed bin capacity

KF.HF.7

Standards

Housing areas must provide for the specific needs of young birds

How you will be measured

KF.HF.7.a

On arrival, ducklings are placed in pre-heated housing as soon as possible

KF.HF.8

Standards

Automatic equipment is inspected once a day

How you will be measured

KF.HF.8.a

Records kept of: - checks - malfunctions - rectifications

Equipment inspection records

KF.HF.8.1

Standards

An alternative power supply must be available which is capable of supplying all essential electrical systems within the poultry houses/hatchery

How you will be measured

KF.HF.8.1.a

Malfunctions are rectified immediately

KF.HF.8.1.b

Generators are tested weekly on load

Generator test record

KF.HF.8.2

Standards

An alarm system must be in place which alerts stockmen to ventilation equipment failure

How you will be measured

KF.HF.8.2.a

Alarm system responds to high and low temperatures and to failures in each phase of the mains electricity

KF.HF.8.2.b

Alarm systems are checked daily and records kept of: - checks - malfunction - rectifications

KF.HF.8.2.c

Alarm system tested every 7 days and results recorded

KF.HF.8.2.d

Alarm system works without mains power supply
  • Alarm system checks
  • Alarm test records

KF.HF.9

Standards

Fire prevention measures must be taken

How you will be measured

KF.HF.9.a

Safe use and storage of flammable/combustible materials

KF.HF.9.b

Every building exceeding 30m in length has two doors and complies with relevant building regulations, particularly with regard to fire escape exits

KF.HF.9.c

Access to building is restricted

KF.HF.9.d

Buildings are secure

KF.HF.9.e

Smoking is restricted to designated areas only

KF.HF.9.f

Machinery undergoes routine maintenance

KF.HF.9.g

Escape routes and passages are kept clear at all times

KF.HF.9.h

Notices are displayed in all main houses of the nearest telephone point
  • HF.2 – When the outside temperature exceeds 30°C in the shade the inside temperature should not exceed the outside temperature by more than 3°C