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Chicken Standards

HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES Version 5.1 (modified)

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EW.HF.1 EW.HF.1.1 EW.HF.2 EW.HF.2.1 EW.HF.2.2 EW.HF.3 EW.HF.4 EW.HF.4.1 EW.HF.4.2 EW.HF.4.3 EW.HF.4.4 EW.HF.4.6 EW.HF.4.9 EW.HF.5 EW.HF.5.1 EW.HF.5.5 EW.HF.6 EW.HF.6.1 EW.HF.6.2 EW.HF.7 EW.HF.7.1 EW.HF.7.2 EW.HF.8 EW.HF.8.1 EW.HF.8.2 EW.HF.9
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.

EW.HF.1 Key

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

How you will be measured

EW.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains birds

EW.HF.1.b

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

EW.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to birds/chicks

EW.HF.1.1

The sound level in housing must be minimised

How you will be measured

EW.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

EW.HF.2

Housing/hatchery must be appropriately and effectively ventilated

How you will be measured

EW.HF.2.a

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

EW.HF.2.b

A documented ventilation plan is in place

EW.HF.2.c

Concentration of Ammonia should not exceed 20ppm

EW.HF.2.d

Concentration of Carbon Dioxide should not exceed 3000ppm at the level of the birds heads

EW.HF.2.e

The average relative humidity measured inside a house during a 48 hour period should not exceed 70% when the outside temperature is below 10°C
R

Ventilation plan

EW.HF.2.1

Temperature records must be kept

How you will be measured

EW.HF.2.1.a

Records kept of minimum and maximum daily temperatures at bird/chick level
R

Temperature records

EW.HF.2.2

A written policy must be in place outlining recognition of and procedures to be followed in the event of heat or cold stress occurring

How you will be measured

EW.HF.2.2.a

Heat stress policy and ventilation plan is implemented

EW.HF.2.2.b

Policy reviewed in the event of bird losses due to an exceptional weather incident
R

Heat and cold stress policy

EW.HF.3

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

How you will be measured

EW.HF.3.a

Floors in fixed housing are made of concrete or asphalt

EW.HF.3.b

Floors are well drained

EW.HF.3.c

Floor surface is above outside ground level

EW.HF.4 Key

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

How you will be measured

EW.HF.4.a

A written cleaning and disinfection policy in place, which contains: - cleaning and disinfection procedures for house, house furniture and water tanks at each turn around - handling of waste materials; litter, packaging, feed spillages - details of Defra approved disinfectants and detergents used, including safe usage, storage and dilution

EW.HF.4.b

A written cleaning and/or disinfection policy for bulk feed bins which: - is being implemented - contains a risk assessment for cleaning bulk feed bins, including health and safety considerations

EW.HF.4.c

Whenever bird accommodation is emptied it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the policy

EW.HF.4.d

Swabs are taken for environmental bacteria and are cultured in a Government approved laboratory – records are kept of these tests

EW.HF.4.f

Bedding/bale stores are cleaned and disinfected whenever they are emptied
R
  • Cleaning and disinfection policy
  • Bulk bin cleaning and/or disinfection policy
  • Environmental bacteria test records

EW.HF.4.1

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

EW.HF.4.2

Flocks are provided with clean, fresh bedding to a minimum depth of 2cm

How you will be measured

EW.HF.4.2.a

Products which expand to a minimum depth of 2cm can be used

EW.HF.4.2.b

Bedding is not re-used

EW.HF.4.3

Bedding must remain in a dry, friable condition

How you will be measured

EW.HF.4.3.a

Wet capped litter is managed

EW.HF.4.4

Bedding stored in the open is stored on pallets and is covered

How you will be measured

EW.HF.4.4.a

The cover provides protection from water, birds and vermin

EW.HF.4.4.b

Damaged or wet bales are not used

EW.HF.4.4.c

Stored bales are double wrapped and wrapping is disinfected at the point of bales being moved into bird housing

EW.HF.4.6

Trays used for on-farm hatching of eggs must be cleaned and disinfected before return to the hatchery

How you will be measured

EW.HF.4.6.a

Only trays dedicated for on-farm hatching are used

EW.HF.4.6.b

Defra approved disinfectants are used
R

Cleaning and disinfection policy

EW.HF.4.9

It is recommended that bales are stored in buildings which do not allow for the ingress of wild birds or rodents

EW.HF.5

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

How you will be measured

EW.HF.5.b

Reductions in lighting made only on advice of vet

EW.HF.5.d

Lighting intensity is at least 50 lux provided by natural daylight through the provision of windows which equate to a minimum of 3% of the floor area

EW.HF.5.e

Artificial light can be used to supplement daylight on dark days

EW.HF.5.1

Lighting follows a 24 hour rhythm

How you will be measured

EW.HF.5.1.a

Lighting patterns for the flock are recorded

EW.HF.5.1.b

24 hour rhythm includes periods of darkness lasting at least six hours, with at least one uninterrupted period of darkness lasting at least four hours

EW.HF.5.1.c

This occurs within seven days of the chickens being placed in the building and until three days before foreseen slaughter

EW.HF.5.1.e

Natural daylight is provided at all times during the natural daylight period from at least five days of age
R

Lighting pattern records

EW.HF.5.5

Windows equating to a minimum of 3% of the floor area are fitted in all buildings which house birds

How you will be measured

EW.HF.5.5.a

The translucent area of the windows equates to a minimum of 3% of the floor area

EW.HF.5.5.b

Windows are evenly distributed along the side panels providing uniform daylight throughout the building

EW.HF.5.5.c

Windows are double glazed to provide insulation and prevent condensation

EW.HF.5.5.d

Where glass is used it is laminated or toughened on the inside for added safety

EW.HF.5.5.e

Shutters are fitted in order that daylight can be closed out if required (e.g. during extremely hot or cold days)

EW.HF.5.5.f

Shutters are open from day 5 during daylight hours unless veterinary advice states otherwise

EW.HF.6 Key

Housing/chick areas must be of sufficient size

How you will be measured

EW.HF.6.a

Birds are not kept in cages or multi-tier systems

EW.HF.6.b

Realistic key performance indicators are used when planning stocking densities

EW.HF.6.c

Key welfare indicators are not compromised by stocking regime, particularly in relation to weather conditions

EW.HF.6.f

Stocking density must not exceed 30kg/m2
R
  • Chick placement records
  • Flock weight records

EW.HF.6.1

Houses must have plates which highlight important information

How you will be measured

EW.HF.6.1.a

Plates list: - total floor space available to the birds - number of feeders and drinkers - feed bin capacity

EW.HF.6.2

If thinning is practiced, it must be limited to one thin per flock

EW.HF.7

Housing areas must provide for the specific needs of young birds

How you will be measured

EW.HF.7.a

On arrival, chicks are placed in pre-heated housing as soon as possible

EW.HF.7.1

Where eggs are hatched on-farm they must not be allowed to cool on placement

How you will be measured

EW.HF.7.1.a

On arrival, eggs are placed in housing pre-heated to 34-35°C, or a temperature that achieves a litter surface temperature of 30°C

EW.HF.7.1.b

Egg shell temperature is monitored and recorded an hour post placement, and then every 3 hours until the egg temperature has stabilised (between 36-38.5°C), otherwise temperatures should continue to be checked 3 times a day until over 50% of chicks have hatched
R

Temperature records

EW.HF.7.2

Where eggs are hatched on-farm, chicks must be able to easily reach the floor after hatching

How you will be measured

EW.HF.7.2.a

Maximum drop is 35cm

EW.HF.8

Automatic equipment is inspected once a day

How you will be measured

EW.HF.8.a

Records kept of: - checks - malfunctions - rectifications
R

Equipment inspection records

EW.HF.8.1

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

EW.HF.8.1.a

Malfunctions are rectified immediately

EW.HF.8.1.b

Generators are tested weekly on load
R

Generator test record

EW.HF.8.2

An alarm system must be in place which alerts stockmen to ventilation equipment failure

How you will be measured

EW.HF.8.2.a

Alarm system responds to high and low temperatures and to failures in each phase of the mains electricity

EW.HF.8.2.b

Alarm systems are checked daily and records kept of: - checks - malfunction - rectifications

EW.HF.8.2.c

Alarm system tested every 7 days and results recorded

EW.HF.8.2.d

Alarm system works without mains power supply
R
  • Alarm system checks
  • Alarm test records

EW.HF.9

Fire prevention measures must be taken

How you will be measured

EW.HF.9.a

Safe use and storage of flammable/combustible materials

EW.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

EW.HF.9.c

Access to building is restricted

EW.HF.9.d

Buildings are secure

EW.HF.9.e

Smoking is restricted to designated areas only

EW.HF.9.f

Machinery undergoes routine maintenance

EW.HF.9.g

Escape routes and passages are kept clear at all times

EW.HF.9.h

Notices are displayed in all main houses of the nearest telephone point
Where to find help

More Standards

Beef & Lamb

Crops & Sugar Beet

Dairy

Dairy Goats

Ducks

Fresh Produce

Pigs

Turkeys
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Guidance

HF.2 – When the outside temperature exceeds 30°C in the shade the inside temperature should not exceed the outside temperature by more than 3°C

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