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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

TF.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

TF.HF.1.a

Housing securely contains birds.

TF.HF.1.b

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

TF.HF.1.c

Electrical installations are inaccessible to birds/poults.

TF.HF.1.d

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

TF.HF.1.1

Standards

The sound level in housing must be minimised.

How you will be measured

TF.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.

TF.HF.2

Standards

Housing/hatchery must be appropriately and effectively ventilated.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.2.d

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

TF.HF.2.f

In controlled environment housing a documented ventilation plan is in place.

TF.HF.2.e

Pop-holes make up a combined length of at least 4m per 100m2 of floor space.

Ventilation plan

TF.HF.2.1

Standards

Temperature records must be kept.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.2.1.a

Records kept of minimum and maximum daily temperatures at bird/poult level.

Temperature records

TF.HF.2.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TF.HF.2.2.a

Heat stress policy and ventilation plan is implemented.

TF.HF.2.2.b

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

Heat and cold stress policy

TF.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

TF.HF.4.a

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

TF.HF.4.c

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

TF.HF.4.d

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

TF.HF.4.f

Litter stores are cleaned and disinfected whenever they are emptied

TF.HF.4.g

Non bird biosecure areas have a full clean-down at least 4 times a year, areas include but are not limited to: - feed stores/buildings - the range
  • Cleaning and disinfection policy
  • Cleaning records
  • Environmental bacteria test records

TF.HF.4.1

Standards

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

TF.HF.4.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TF.HF.4.2.a

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

TF.HF.4.2.b

Bedding is not re-used.

TF.HF.4.3

Standards

Bedding must remain in a dry, friable condition.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.4.3.a

Wet capped litter is managed.

TF.HF.4.4

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TF.HF.4.4.a

The cover provides protection from water, birds and vermin.

TF.HF.4.4.c

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

TF.HF.4.4.b

Damaged or wet bales are not used.

TF.HF.4.5

Standards

Bedding is traceable.

Record of origin of bedding

TF.HF.4.9

Standards

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

TF.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

TF.HF.5.a

Lighting intensity is at least 10 lux in enclosed housing, measured at bird eye level at least once per crop, and illuminating at least 80% of the useable area, during lighting periods.

TF.HF.5.b

A light level below 10 lux maybe used when bird welfare is compromised but any reduction will be recorded and reviewed by the farm manager. The review will: - be documented, containing evidence of why the change was made - include records of the light intensity, taken at bird level at each turn around

TF.HF.5.c

Lighting patterns are recorded.
  • Lighting pattern records
  • Lux reduction review

TF.HF.5.1

Standards

Lighting follows a 24 hour rhythm.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.5.1.a

This occurs within 7 days of the birds being placed in the building.

TF.HF.5.1.b

24 hour rhythm includes: - periods of darkness lasting at least 8 hours, except where natural dark period is shorter than 6 hours, with a minimum of 4 hours continuous darkness - a minimum of 8 hours of continuous darkness in free range houses - a minimum of 7 hours natural daylight or artificial light - a minimum of 7 continuous hours of light for breeder replacement hens

TF.HF.5.2

Standards

Birds must have access to the range for at least half their lives.

Pop-hole opening records

TF.HF.5.3

Standards

Birds have access to the range for a minimum of 8 hours a day .

How you will be measured

TF.HF.5.3.a

Pop-holes are open for 8 hours except where: - natural daylight lasts less than 8 hours - there are inclement weather conditions

Pop-hole opening records

TF.HF.5.4

Standards

Shelter/cover must be provided on the range.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.5.4.a

Natural shelter/cover is encouraged.

TF.HF.5.4.b

Where artificial shade is provided anti-perching spikes are used.

TF.HF.5.4.c

Deciduous trees are avoided in order to discourage wild birds.

TF.HF.5.4.d

Where mobile sites are used artificial shelter is provided (e.g. camouflage netting/big bales/A frames) which also carries anti-perch spikes.

TF.HF.6 Key

Standards

Housing/poult areas must be of sufficient size.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.6.a

Birds are not kept in cages .
  • Poult placement records
  • Flock weight records

TF.HF.6.1

Standards

Houses must have plates which highlight important information.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.6.1.a

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

TF.HF.7

Standards

Housing areas must provide for the specific needs of young birds.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.7.a

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

TF.HF.8

Standards

Automatic equipment is inspected once a day.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.8.a

Records kept of: - checks - malfunctions - rectifications

TF.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

TF.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

TF.HF.8.1.a

Malfunctions are rectified immediately.

TF.HF.8.1.b

Generators are tested weekly on load.

TF.HF.8.2

Standards

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

How you will be measured

TF.HF.8.2.a

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

TF.HF.8.2.b

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

TF.HF.8.2.c

Tested every 7 days and results recorded.

TF.HF.8.2.d

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

TF.HF.9

Standards

Fire prevention measures must be taken.

How you will be measured

TF.HF.9.a

Safe use and storage of flammable/combustible materials.

TF.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.

TF.HF.9.c

Access to building is restricted.

TF.HF.9.d

Buildings are secure.

TF.HF.9.e

Smoking is restricted to designated areas only.

TF.HF.9.f

Machinery undergoes routine maintenance.

TF.HF.9.g

Escape routes and passages are kept clear at all times.

TF.HF.9.h

Notices are displayed in all main houses of the nearest telephone point.
  • HF.6 – See appendix for maximum stocking densities
  • HF.8 – The relevant appendix provides further guidance on calibration of equipment and frequency