Chicken Standards
HOUSING, SHELTER AND HANDLING FACILITIES Version 5.1 (modified)
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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.
CH.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
CH.HF.1.a
CH.HF.1.b
CH.HF.1.c
CH.HF.2
Housing/hatchery must be appropriately and effectively ventilated
How you will be measured
CH.HF.2.a
CH.HF.2.b
Ventilation plan
CH.HF.2.1
Temperature records must be kept
How you will be measured
CH.HF.2.1.a
Temperature records
CH.HF.2.3
Eggs destined for dispatch for on-farm hatching must not be allowed to cool prior to transportation
How you will be measured
CH.HF.2.3.a
Temperature records
CH.HF.2.4
Eggs destined for dispatch for on-farm hatching must be loaded into clean trays after candling
How you will be measured
CH.HF.2.4.a
CH.HF.2.4.b
CH.HF.3
Floors must be constructed and maintained in a manner that minimises the risk of injury
How you will be measured
CH.HF.3.d
CH.HF.3.e
CH.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
CH.HF.4.e
CH.HF.4.h
- Cleaning and disinfection policy
- Environmental bacteria test records
CH.HF.4.1
Surfaces within housing/hatchery must be in good condition and must be able to be cleaned and disinfected
CH.HF.4.7
Chicks must be loaded into clean chick boxes
How you will be measured
CH.HF.4.7.a
CH.HF.4.8
Drains in production areas are accessible and cleanable
CH.HF.5
Housing/hatchery must be lit to allow normal behaviours, rest and effective inspection of birds/chicks
How you will be measured
CH.HF.5.f
CH.HF.5.g
CH.HF.5.3
Facilities to reduce light must be available
CH.HF.6 Key
Housing/chick areas must be of sufficient size
How you will be measured
CH.HF.6.a
CH.HF.6.b
CH.HF.6.c
- Chick placement records
- Flock weight records
CH.HF.8
Automatic equipment is inspected once a day
How you will be measured
CH.HF.8.a
Equipment inspection records
CH.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
CH.HF.8.1.a
CH.HF.8.1.b
Generator test record
CH.HF.8.3
Alarms must be responded to within 15 minutes
How you will be measured
CH.HF.8.3.a
Alarm records
CH.HF.8.4
Incubation equipment is alarmed for high and low temperatures and mains failure
How you will be measured
CH.HF.8.4.a
CH.HF.8.5
All incubators in operation must be checked twice daily for temperature, humidity and direction of turn
Incubator records kept and displayed
CH.HF.8.6
Chick and egg disposal equipment must be checked daily by trained operators to ensure it is working effectively, and a record kept of the outcome
Check records
CH.HF.9
Fire prevention measures must be taken
How you will be measured
CH.HF.9.a
CH.HF.9.b
CH.HF.9.c
CH.HF.9.d
CH.HF.9.e
CH.HF.9.f
CH.HF.9.g
CH.HF.9.h
- Government guidance on farm fires and protecting farm animal welfare: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farm-fires-protecting-farm-animal-welfare
- For additional guidance on animal welfare in severe weather visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-farm-animals-and-horses-in-extreme-weather
- Further information on heat stress is provided in the Defra guidance document `Heat Stress in Poultry: Solving the Problem’: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69373/pb10543-heat-stress-050330.p
