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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:

Safe, comfortable and hygienic housing for all birds

KH.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

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.e

Floors are sealed and in good condition

KH.HF.3.f

Floors are hygienically managed

KH.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

KH.HF.4.e

Environmental swabs for TVCs are carried out monthly and records maintained

KH.HF.4.h

A written cleaning and disinfection policy in place
  • Cleaning and disinfection policy
  • Environmental bacteria test records

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

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

Aim:

Systems within housing are fit for purpose

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

Generator test record

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

Aim:

Controls in place to prevent fire

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