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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

TH.HF.1 Key

Standards

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

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.d

Floors are hygienically managed.

TH.HF.3.c

Floors are sealed and in good condition.

TH.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

TH.HF.4.h

A written cleaning and disinfection policy in place

TH.HF.4.e

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

Environmental bacteria test records
Cleaning and disinfection policy

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. (Revised)

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.
  • Lighting pattern records
  • Lux reduction review

TH.HF.6 Key

Standards

Housing/poult areas must be of sufficient size.

  • Poult placement records
  • Flock weight records

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.

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.