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HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES

Version 5.1

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

KH.HF.1 Key

Standards

Housing/Hatchery must be constructed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for birds/ducklings. (Revised)

How you will be measured

KH.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains birds.

KH.HF.1.b

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

KH.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to birds/ducklings.

KH.HF.1.d

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

KH.HF.1.1

Standards

The sound level in housing must be minimised.

How you will be measured

KH.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.

KH.HF.2

Standards

Housing/hatchery must be appropriately and effectively ventilated.

How you will be measured

KH.HF.2.h

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

Records of filter cleaning/changing

KH.HF.2.1

Standards

Temperature records must be kept.

How you will be measured

KH.HF.2.1.b

Duckling holding areas are to be temperature controlled and monitored.

Temperature records

KH.HF.3

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KH.HF.3.f

Floors are hygienically managed.

KH.HF.3.e

Floors are sealed and in good condition.

KH.HF.4 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KH.HF.4.h

A written cleaning and disinfection policy in place

KH.HF.4.e

Environmental swabs for TVCs are carried out monthly and records maintained.

Environmental bacteria test records
Cleaning and disinfection policy

KH.HF.4.1

Standards

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

KH.HF.4.7

Standards

Ducklings must be loaded into clean duckling boxes .

How you will be measured

KH.HF.4.7.a

Duckling boxes are cleaned, dried and sanitised after every delivery.

KH.HF.4.8

Standards

Drains in production areas are accessible and cleanable.

KH.HF.5

Standards

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

How you will be measured

KH.HF.5.e

Levels of natural or artificial lighting in duckling grading areas is of a level that all ducklings can be seen clearly.

KH.HF.5.f

Holding rooms should be lit with controlled or blue lighting.

Lighting pattern records

KH.HF.6 Key

Standards

Housing/duckling areas must be of sufficient size.

  • Duckling placement records
  • Flock weight records

KH.HF.8

Standards

Automatic equipment is inspected once a day.

How you will be measured

KH.HF.8.a

Records kept of: - checks - malfunctions - rectifications

Equipment inspection records

KH.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

KH.HF.8.1.a

Malfunctions are rectified immediately.

KH.HF.8.1.b

Generators are tested weekly on load.

KH.HF.8.3

Standards

Alarms must be responded to within 15 minutes.

How you will be measured

KH.HF.8.3.a

When an alarm is triggered the following are recorded: - time - date - response

Alarm records

KH.HF.8.4

Standards

Incubation equipment is alarmed for high and low temperatures and mains failure.

How you will be measured

KH.HF.8.4.a

Incubation equipment includes both setters and hatchers.

KH.HF.8.5

Standards

All incubators in operation must be checked twice daily for temperature, humidity and direction of turn.

Incubator records kept and displayed

KH.HF.8.6

Standards

Duckling and egg disposal equipment and bill treatment equipment must be checked daily by trained operators to ensure it is working effectively, and a record kept of the outcome.

Check records

KH.HF.9

Standards

Fire prevention measures must be taken.

How you will be measured

KH.HF.9.a

Safe use and storage of flammable/combustible materials.

KH.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.

KH.HF.9.c

Access to building is restricted.

KH.HF.9.d

Buildings are secure.

KH.HF.9.e

Smoking is restricted to designated areas only.

KH.HF.9.f

Machinery undergoes routine maintenance.

KH.HF.9.g

Escape routes and passages are kept clear at all times.

KH.HF.9.h

Notices are displayed in all main houses of the nearest telephone point.