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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

TH.HF.1 Key

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains birds

TH.HF.1.b

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

TH.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to birds/poults

TH.HF.1.d

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

TH.HF.1.1

Standards

The sound level in housing must be minimised

How you will be measured

TH.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

TH.HF.2

Standards

Housing/hatchery must be appropriately and effectively ventilated

How you will be measured

TH.HF.2.g

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

Records of filter cleaning/changing

TH.HF.2.1

Standards

Temperature records must be kept

How you will be measured

TH.HF.2.1.b

Poult holding areas are temperature controlled and monitored

Temperature records

TH.HF.3

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.HF.3.c

Floors are sealed and in good condition

TH.HF.3.d

Floors are hygienically managed

TH.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

TH.HF.4.e

Environmental swabs for TVCs are carried out monthly and records maintained

TH.HF.4.h

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

TH.HF.4.1

Standards

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

TH.HF.4.7

Standards

Poults must be loaded into clean poult boxes

How you will be measured

TH.HF.4.7.a

Poult boxes are cleaned, dried and sanitised after every delivery

TH.HF.4.8

Standards

Drains in production areas are accessible and cleanable

TH.HF.5

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.HF.5.d

Levels of natural or artificial lighting in poult grading areas is of a level that all poults can be seen clearly

TH.HF.5.e

Holding rooms should be lit with controlled or blue lighting

TH.HF.8

Standards

Automatic equipment is inspected once a day

How you will be measured

TH.HF.8.a

Records kept of: - checks - malfunctions - rectifications

TH.HF.8.b

A record must be kept of all equipment and generator tests, maintenance schedules and calibration schedules
  • Equipment inspection records
  • Maintenance schedules
  • Calibration schedules

TH.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

TH.HF.8.1.a

Malfunctions are rectified immediately

TH.HF.8.1.b

Generators are tested weekly on load

Generator test record

TH.HF.8.3

Standards

Alarms must be responded to within 15 minutes

How you will be measured

TH.HF.8.3.a

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

Alarm records

TH.HF.8.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TH.HF.8.4.a

Incubation equipment includes both setters and hatchers

TH.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

TH.HF.8.6

Standards

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

Check records

TH.HF.9

Standards

Fire prevention measures must be taken

How you will be measured

TH.HF.9.a

Safe use and storage of flammable/combustible materials

TH.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

TH.HF.9.c

Access to building is restricted

TH.HF.9.d

Buildings are secure

TH.HF.9.e

Smoking is restricted to designated areas only

TH.HF.9.f

Machinery undergoes routine maintenance

TH.HF.9.g

Escape routes and passages are kept clear at all times

TH.HF.9.h

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