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Turkeys Standards

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE Version 5.1 (modified)

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TL.AH.1 TL.AH.2 TL.AH.3 TL.AH.4 TL.AH.5 TL.AH.5.1 TL.AH.6 TL.AH.7 TL.AH.7.1 TL.AH.7.2 TL.AH.8 TL.AH.9 TL.AH.10 TL.AH.10.1 TL.AH.10.3
Glossary

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.

R This icon indicates that a record is required.

TL.AH.1 Key

A Flock Health Plan to proactively manage and improve health and welfare of birds must be established and implemented

How you will be measured

TL.AH.1.a

Is specific to a farm or group of farms under same company’s control

TL.AH.1.b

Is prepared and reviewed by the vet that has overall responsibility for the care of the animals

TL.AH.1.c

Is reviewed annually or more often in the event of substantial changes to husbandry practices or poor performance

TL.AH.1.d

Contains a strategy for the prevention and control of common diseases

TL.AH.1.e

Sets out health and husbandry procedures covering the whole of the production cycle/year

TL.AH.1.f

Sets out a vaccination programme, which is tailored to the needs of the farm

TL.AH.1.g

Is available to all members of staff who have responsibility for birds
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Flock Health Plan

TL.AH.2

Records of the health and performance of all birds must be maintained

How you will be measured

TL.AH.2.a

Records are present for current and previous flock/hatchery cycles

TL.AH.2.b

Records are up to date

TL.AH.2.c

Health and performance records contain as a minimum: – number of eggs, poults or birds delivered – date eggs/poults/birds delivered – origin of flock (hatchery, breeder flock) – breed – daily mortality rate and cumulative daily mortality rate, including culls – date of sale, number sold and average weight – litter used – incidence of disease – post-mortem records – any problems or extraordinary events – veterinary advice
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Health and performance records

TL.AH.3

Health and performance records must be reviewed regularly

How you will be measured

TL.AH.3.a

Regular review of records to identify key issues

TL.AH.3.b

If key issues are identified, veterinary advice is sought
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Key issues documented in Flock Health Plan

TL.AH.4

The health and welfare of birds must be met at all times

How you will be measured

TL.AH.4.a

Any health or welfare issues have been detected and are being managed

TL.AH.5

The health and welfare of birds must be checked regularly

How you will be measured

TL.AH.5.a

Regular checks looking for signs of illness, injury and stress

TL.AH.5.b

Flock inspection is carried out at least twice daily

TL.AH.5.c

Poults are closely monitored on arrival

TL.AH.5.d

Stockmen walk within 3m of every bird and encourage them to move

TL.AH.5.e

Records of inspections are made and include observations, problems identified and any remedial action taken
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Flock inspection records

TL.AH.5.1

Signs of pododermatitis must be monitored and recorded

How you will be measured

TL.AH.5.1.a

Veterinary advice sought if pododermatitis exceeds normal levels
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Pododermatitis records

TL.AH.6 Key

Birds must be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimises stress

How you will be measured

TL.AH.6.a

This includes stags during milking and hens during insemination

TL.AH.6.b

Stags have been made accustomed to being handled

TL.AH.7 Key

All persons looking after the health and welfare of birds/poults must be demonstrably competent

How you will be measured

TL.AH.7.a

Staff have skills and knowledge in: - normal and abnormal bird behaviour - fear reactions - signs of good health and poor health and disease - correct handling of birds - litter management - signs of thermal stress in birds and procedures to be followed in event of a problem

TL.AH.7.b

You are satisfied that any contractors used are competent

TL.AH.7.1

There must be a named Welfare Officer who is responsible for co-ordinating welfare on-farm/in the hatchery

How you will be measured

TL.AH.7.1.a

The Welfare Officer's name and contact number are displayed on farm/in the hatchery

TL.AH.7.1.b

The Welfare Officer is responsible for: - liaison with vets, Defra, APHA - ensuring all staff are fully trained in welfare issues - monitoring welfare policies, procedures and standards

TL.AH.7.2 Key

All poultry farms/hatcheries must retain the services of a named veterinary surgeon or practice

TL.AH.8 Key

Sick or injured birds/poults must receive prompt attention in order that suffering is not prolonged

How you will be measured

TL.AH.8.a

This could include the use of segregation pens with stocking density no greater than 19 kg/m2

TL.AH.8.b

Segregation pens are checked a minimum of twice per day

TL.AH.8.c

Key staff will be able to identify signs of bird behaviour/abnormalities, disease or illness and have the knowledge to take appropriate action including the seeking of support from the Welfare Officer or vet on how and when to euthanase turkeys

TL.AH.9 Key

Birds that do not respond to treatment or require emergency euthanasia must be promptly and humanely euthanased by a trained and competent person

How you will be measured

TL.AH.9.a

Decision to euthanase made by a trained and competent person

TL.AH.9.b

Turkeys under 5kg can be euthanased by neck dislocation, a percussion killer recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legislation and recommended by the HSA

TL.AH.9.c

Turkeys over 5kg are to be euthanased by a percussive killer recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) or another method permitted by legislation and recommended by the HSA

TL.AH.9.d

Staff that euthanase birds are trained

TL.AH.10

Flocks must be monitored for Salmonella under the National Control Plan

How you will be measured

TL.AH.10.a

Tests are carried out in a Government authorised laboratory

TL.AH.10.b

Where a flock has been confirmed as infected a written cleaning and disinfection procedure is implemented

TL.AH.10.c

Confirmed infected flocks are sent for slaughter at the end of the processing plant’s daily programme

TL.AH.10.d

Testing is carried out according to a written sampling plan set out by a vet

TL.AH.10.e

This includes poult fluff, meconiums, hatcher tray liners or poult box liners

TL.AH.10.f

Records of tests are kept which include: - the date on which each flock is sampled for Salmonella - where there is more than one flock on the holding, the identification of the flock. The flock should be identified by the house name/number, month and year the flock was moved into the house - the age of the flock sampled - the Government approved laboratory to which the sample was sent and the result of each test when it is received from the testing laboratory - the date of intended slaughter
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  • Salmonella testing records kept for two years
  • Cleaning and disinfection procedure

TL.AH.10.1

Where a flock has tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis and/or Typhimurium environmental swabs, representative of the building/housing must be taken and building/housing not restocked until two negative results have been obtained

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Environmental swab test results

TL.AH.10.3

Flocks must be tested to determine Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma meleagridis status

How you will be measured

TL.AH.10.3.a

Flocks are tested as a minimum: - 4 weeks prior to the onset of lay - at least every 12 weeks after initial testing

TL.AH.10.3.b

Testing records with – date of testing – results of testing are retained for at least 5 years and communicated to the hatchery A positive test will be considered to be a field strain infection unless laboratory testing on the isolated Mycoplasma shows this is caused by a vaccine strain
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Flock M. gallisepticum, M. synoviae, and M. meleagridis testing records

Where to find help
  • Further information on animal health and welfare is given in the Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock – Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens and at www.gov.uk/animal-welfare
  • Guidance on animal health and disease can be found at www.nadis.org.uk
  • The Humane Slaughter Association provide information on euthanasia on their website www.hsa.org.uk

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