COMPLIANCEGUIDELINES

Poultry

ABSTRACTGuidelines to compliance with the PROOF Poultry Standard. These guidelinesmust be read in conjunction with the Poultry Standards and are only designed toassist in a better understanding of what is required in each section of theStandard. The Standards are included in this guide.

Introduction

This Standard is complementary and additional to other health, agricultural, environmental, food and production related regulatory

requirements at federal, state, territory and other relevant levels. This includes but is not limited to:

Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals—Poultry or equivalent Australian Standard or State code where

one exists).

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock.

Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals—Livestock at Slaughtering Establishments (or equivalent

Australian Standard or State code where one exists).

Compliance Guide

It is the responsibility of the producer to make themselves familiar with any state or national codes of practice, regulations or laws

that impact on the livestock or products that they produce.

All Codes of Practice are available from the CSIRO Publishing website www.publish.csiro.au

Links to Codes of Practice and other relevant legislation are available on the PROOF website.

1. Core Values

Our core values apply equally across all standard i.e. for poultry, pigs, lamb and cattle.

Compliance Guide

1.1. All animals are able to range freely in open fields or paddocks**

All animals must have unrestricted access to paddocks of appropriate size and stocking rate. Poultry may be housed for

their protection at night. Chicks that are not yet fully feathered are not expected to range freely but the process to adapt

them to outdoor conditions should begin at an early age. Meat chicks will need to be ranging freely after 28 days of age.

1.2. All animals are able to interact with their herd or flock and to carry out natural behaviours

Animals must not be kept in isolation and must be able to interact with others of the same species. Animals must be free

to do what comes naturally, e.g. flap their wings, dust bathe, scratch and forage in the earth and to graze on pasture or

other herbages or forage. Natural behaviours also include normal interactions with herd or flock mates and this will include

defining a hierarchy or pecking order as long as this does not impact on the welfare of the animals.

1.3. All animals should thrive in their environment and not just cope with it

Coping means to adapt to current conditions. We expect that animals do not have to make inappropriate adaptations to

their environment that restrict any natural behaviours, prevent them from interacting with their herd or flock or cause stress

to the animal. Animals should have the ability to escape any confrontation from more dominant animals by the provision of

adequate space. Animals should be able to grow and be productive without the need for antibiotics to maintain their health.

1.4. Animals will not be kept in cages, stalls or crates

Under no circumstances are animals to be confined in crates, cages, small –pens, small yards, unless they are there for a

very short period of time for treatment.

1.5. All animals will be protected from predation

Every effort must be made to protect animals from predators including wild dogs, foxes, quolls, eagles, hawks and feral

animals. This can be achieved by the use of exclusion fencing, foxlights (www.foxlights.com), trapping, baiting or housing

poultry at night. Please refer to the appropriate sections of this standard for housing requirements.

1.6. Illness or injury will be addressed promptly so that no animal will be left to suffer

Sick or suffering animals will be attended to immediately and will not be allowed to suffer unnecessarily. Treatment will

not be withheld and if animals are unresponsive, they must be humanely euthanized.

1.7. Densely confined production systems and feed lotting are not permitted

Feedlots are not permitted. This does not mean that supplementary feeding is not allowed. When providing additional

feed besides pasture to animals, it must be done in the open paddock and not in a confined area. Ground cover

requirements will still apply. Intensive production is prohibited and all stocking rates and paddock rotations set out in the

standard must be adhered to.

1.8. Animals will be fed to meet their welfare needs as well as production requirements

Feed must be supplied that meets all the animals’ nutritional requirements. Restricting any nutrient for the purpose of

achieving a commercial outcome in the final product is prohibited. E.g. the restriction of vitamin A to impact on muscle

definition in cattle.

1.9. De-beaking of poultry is not acceptable

All poultry will have full beaks intact. Feather pecking or cannibalism is an indication of management problems that must

be addressed eg. Poor nutrition, overstocking.

1.10. Surgical treatments that inflict unnecessary pain are not permitted

The benefits of any surgical treatment for the animal must outweigh any short term negative impacts on that animal and

must be performed in a manner that is as stress free and pain free as possible. Poor management however will not be an

excuse for such husbandry practices. Topical or injectable anesthetics or gels may be used to reduce pain as well as any

analgesics that are registered for a particular livestock use. Please see point 1.9 and sections in this standard that relate to

animal husbandry also.

1.11. The use of growth promoters is prohibited

Sound nutrition and good management will promote healthy growth. Drugs used for this purpose are prohibited including

hormones, beta agonists and antibiotics.

1.12. All animals will be inspected by the producer on a daily basis

The producer will inspect all animals in their paddocks every day to ensure that they are healthy and not in need of attention

or treatment and that water and feed are adequate.

1.13. All producers will meet HACCP requirements to ensure safe food production

All producers must complete and keep in this manual the Food Safety Risk Assessment or HACCP plan provided to them by

PROOF.

1.14. Pastured free range should be environmentally, economically and socially sustainable

Animals, pastures, paddocks and farming systems should be cared for in a manner that takes into consideration the long

term environmental impact, the consumer’s needs, wants and perceptions of free range to ensure that the producer is able

to earn a reasonable income and ensure the long term viability of their operation.

2. Living Conditions

2.1. Living conditions must consider the needs of the animal and include;

2.1.1. freedom from stress;

2.1.2. freedom of movement;

2.1.3. the ability to interact socially with the herd or flock;

2.1.4. access to clean drinking water and adequate nutrition;

2.1.5. access to shade and shelter and protection from predators; and

2.1.6. the ability to carry out natural behaviours.

2.2. Animals will have access to paddocks and pasture for a minimum of 8 hours each day.

2.3. Herd or flock animals must not be kept in isolation or segregated from other animals of the same species preventing social

structures.

2.4. Housing, paddocks, range areas, yards and transport must be;

2.4.1. free of any objects or protrusions that could cause harm or distress; and

2.4.2. made from materials that will not be a possible source of contamination.

2.5. Fencing must prevent the animals from straying and be designed to exclude feral animals and provide protection from

predators.

Compliance Guide

All animals must be handled in a manner that causes as little stress as possible. They must also be provided with living conditions that

do not cause undue stress through poor design or restricting the animals from carrying out natural behaviours such as nesting,

dustbathing, exercising or interacting with others of the same species.

Animals must be able to move freely without restriction and must not be confined to sheds (except at night), pens, crates, stalls etc.

Water must be available at all times and must be from a clean supply. Feed must be provided to meet all their nutritional requirements.

There must be enough shade and shelter to enable all animals to access it all at the same time.

Even when poultry are housed at night, they must still have at least 8 hours of freedom during daylight hours.

Animals must not be kept on their own, they must have company of other animals of the same species.

Housing paddocks, range areas, yard, transport etc must be free of anything that could cause harm to the animals e.g. sharp edges,

fencing wire sticking out at eye level, rough floors that could trap feet or cause animals to slip, building materials left lying around, old

machinery in paddocks that can be pecked or chewed or painted surfaces that could contain lead or other toxins just to name a few.

Ensure that animals are not able to access areas of chemical storage or feed meant for other species of animals.

Fencing must be able to keep your animals in and prevent them escaping onto roads or neighbours properties or into harm’s way.

Fencing should also be good enough to help prevent access by feral animals.

Records to be kept: Farm Plan, Farm Diary

3. Stocking Rates

3.1. Layer Hens

3.1.1. Layer hen stocking rates shall not exceed of 1,500 hens per hectare.

3.1.2. Flock sizes shall not exceed 2,500 birds in each house.

3.2. Meat Chickens

3.2.1. Meat chicken stocking rates shall not exceed 2,500 birds per hectare.

3.3. Ducks

3.3.1. Duck stocking rates shall not exceed 2,500 birds per hectare.

3.4. Turkeys

3.4.1. Turkey stocking rates shall not exceed 800 birds per hectare.

3.5. Geese

3.5.1. Geese stocking rates shall not exceed 600 birds per hectare.

3.6. Guinea Fowl

3.6.1. Guinea Fowl stocking rates shall not exceed 2,500 birds per hectare.

3.7. Stocking rates need to be monitored with the principles of good animal welfare, preventative disease and environmental

management in mind. Nutrient loading in the soils grazed by animals and birds shall be managed through effective paddock

and stock rotations and when necessary, the implementation of procedures to remove or prevent the build up of nutrients

in the soil to unacceptable levels. A decrease in stocking rates may be necessary to achieve this.

3.8. Stocking rates must be calculated according to the size of the paddock, size of species of the bird and be applied to a

designated enclosure or paddock and not to the total land area of the property. The producer must be able to demonstrate

that animals do graze the allocated areas.

Compliance Guide

Stocking rates must be adhered to.

When cell grazing is used, the total area of the cells used in the rotation can be included in the stocking rate calculation however, a

rotation plan must be made available to the PROOF auditor to ensure compliance.

Electric netting that is used to manage the grazing area is permitted as long as it is used as part of a planned paddock rotation and

that the plan is made available to the PROOF auditor.

Chicken tractors are not permitted as they severely restrict the behavior of the poultry and are often overcrowded.

If paddocks are becoming denuded quickly and pasture cover cannot be maintained, it will be necessary to reduce stocking rates.

(unless drought or extreme weather conditions are preventing growth of pasture)

Evidence that stated grazing areas are actually used by the animals will be required. For example, a property may be 100 hectares in

total but only 10 hectare is actually available for animal production. Only the areas defined on the Farm Map will be included in

stocking rate calculations and evidence must be sited that these areas are actually used for animal production.

Records required: Paddock Rotation Plan, Stock numbers, Farm Plan, Farm Diary

4. Housing

4.1. All birds will have access to weatherproof housing at all times that will;

4.1.1. be appropriate to the physiological and behavioural needs of the birds;

4.1.2. provide freedom of movement;

4.1.3. allow adequate ventilation and natural light;

4.1.4. provide protection from the elements;

4.1.5. be constructed of materials that will not pose any risk of contamination;

4.1.6. be free of protrusions that could cause harm and/or trauma; and

4.1.7. have non-slip floors.

4.2. Sufficient perches will be available to enable roosting behaviour for all roosting birds so that they may all access the perches

at the same time: layer hens, turkeys and guinea fowl.*

4.3. Perches must;

4.3.1. allow at least 15cm of space per bird;

4.3.2. have at least 30cm between the perches;

4.3.3. be non-slip;

4.3.4. be constructed of materials that will not pose any risk of contamination; and

4.3.5. be free of protrusions that could cause harm and/or trauma.

4.4. Adequate space and bedding will be available for all non-roosting birds: meat chickens, ducks, geese, so that they may all rest

comfortably at the same time.*

4.5. Sufficient drinkers and feeders will be available within the housing if birds are contained in housing overnight, to permit easy

access without crowding of the birds.*

4.6. Enough clean, dry nesting boxes or colony boxes will be provided to allow no less than 20% of the laying hen flock access at

any one time.*

4.7. Sufficient exits from housing will enable ease of access for the birds to the range area. Exits will not contain barriers or

structures that prevent or deter birds from exiting the housing.*

4.8. When birds are contained in housing overnight for protection from predators, maximum stocking densities in the house will

apply. Stocking density indoors for layer hens and meat chickens shall not exceed;

4.8.1. 16kg of birds per square metre; and

4.8.2. 25kg per square metre for all other birds.

4.9. Housing must be located a sufficient distance apart to ensure adequate free ranging capability by the birds and sunlight

between houses.

4.10. Housing and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected to prevent contamination, disease and harmful micro-organisms.

Compliance Guide

Animals require access to housing that is draft free and weatherproof. Enough housing shall be provided to allow all animals to access

it at the same time without crowding. The housing must have adequate airflow and ventilation to allow the escape of heat or gases

such as ammonia and to cool the housing in hot weather. When animals are housed, the indoor space requirements set out in this

standard must be adhered to. Natural light (sunlight) must be provided in the housing.

Many species of poultry naturally roost at night. The main exceptions are waterfowl and meat birds. Meat birds are generally unable

to roost because of genotype and their resultant weight. Laying hens must have perches so that they can roost. Any species that is

capable of roosting and is naturally inclined to do so must be provided with perches. Birds that do not or cannot roost must be

provided with enough space and bedding to allow them to rest comfortably on the ground.

Surfaces that the animals walk or perch on must not be slippery.

It is not necessary to provide feed and water inside housing unless the birds are confined at any time including at night.

Ensure that material used in the construction of housing are free from chemical contaminates such as copper (treated pine), lead paint

or any other toxin.

Nesting boxes must be supplied and must meet the requirements of this standard as well as the Model Code of Practice.

Exits from the housing should be as large as possible to permit easy access to the range and to encourage birds to go outside without

fear of obstructions or dominant animals and must be easy to find. Small popholes are not encouraged. Open doors and multiple

exits work best.

Housing should not be placed closed together. This will block airflow, sunlight and could impact on the stocking density in the paddock

as well as encourage too many birds to nest in the same house.

Housing should be kept clean and built up manure removed. Bedding must be kept clean, dry and friable for the health of the birds

and to prevent feet, hock or breast burns or blisters. It will also help to keep eggs cleaner.

Records to be kept: Farm Diary

5. Range Management

Paddock rotation and pasture management should take into consideration the local environment, seasonal variations in climate and

rainfall, soil conservation and nutrient management and existing eco systems. Stocking densities need to be monitored and adjusted

as necessary to achieve good outcomes.

5.1. Vegetated cover of the range areas will be managed through paddock rotations and will ensure that all birds have access to

edible forage at all times except in circumstances of extreme weather conditions and extended dry periods that are beyond

the control of the operator. At such time, good Lucerne hay or other suitable fodder shall be provided.

5.2. Nutrient loading in the soils grazed by animals and birds shall be managed through effective paddock and stock rotations and

when necessary, the implementation of procedures to remove or prevent the build up of nutrients in the soil to unacceptable

levels. A decrease in stocking rates may be necessary to achieve this.

5.3. Regular soil testing will be carried out to assess nutrient loading in the soil and remedial action taken should soil nutrients

reach unacceptable levels.

5.4. When soil testing triggers remedial action, a cut and cart phase, where crop and pasture are grown to use up nutrient in the

soils, will be implemented and the resulting crop or hay will be removed from that land.

5.5. Maintenance of groundcover is critical to effective erosion control. Stocking densities shall be adjusted when necessary to

ensure that groundcover is adequate enough to prevent erosion.

5.6. Paddock rotations are defined as mobile housing systems that are relocated to fresh ground and the resting of the area

previously grazed to ensure recovery of forage to the area. Fixed sheds are not encouraged but are acceptable if adequate

paddock rotations can be demonstrated and compacted, bare areas in the immediate vicinity of the shed are managed to

ensure that muddy conditions and build up of manure and pathogens does not occur.

5.7. A paddock rotation system and pasture management program must be developed and maintained.

5.8. Birds shall be encouraged to spend time outdoors with adequate shade and shelter, easy access to water and feed and

protection from real or perceived threat of predation. The planting of trees and shrubs is encouraged for shade and protection

for the birds.

Compliance Guide

The environmental impact of a free range farming enterprise must be managed and this will include paddock rotations, soil monitoring

and cut and cart phases during non-animal periods to reduce soil nutrient.

Resting paddocks and allowing pasture to regrow is important but simply allowing the animals back onto that land to re-graze is not

enough to remove any buildup of soil nutrient. It will become necessary to grow a crop (hay for example) and harvest that from the

land to be used elsewhere effectively taking the nutrient out of the soil and moving it away. This will need to be done several times

to have any impact and reduce soil nutrients. It is a good idea to make this a part of you paddock rotations instead of waiting until

nutrient builds up to unacceptable levels.

Cut and cart can be any crop that can be grown and harvested and then removed from the land. It can be vegetables, grass hay or

even fodder grown for other animals. On small farms, the pasture or crop could simply be grown, mown or slashed and then raked

up and removed. If this was done several times a year it would be possible to keep nutrient loading in the soil managed.

Pasture rotations could possibly also include crash grazing with another species of livestock e.g. sheep or cattle, to eat pasture and

remove some nutrient from the soil. This is not as effective as cut and cart and the animals need to be moved in and out of the

paddock within a couple of days.

Records to be kept: Farm Diary, Paddock Rotation Plan, Soil Test Results

6. Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry should take into consideration the welfare of the animals, health of the animals, social structures within herds or

flocks and the prevention of disease through adequate nutrition, stress free animal handling, hygiene and vaccination.

6.1. The following procedures are not permitted:

6.1.1. De-beaking;

6.1.2. De-snooding;

6.1.3. Toe clipping.

6.2. Induced molting by the withholding of feed and water is prohibited.

Compliance Guide

Surgical mutilations such as de-beaking and those mentioned above are unnecessary when management practices ensure that birds

are not overstocked, not stressed and that nutrition is adequate. When problems arise with pecking the problem should be

investigated and addressed. Mutilations are not the answer to poor management.

Give the hens something to keep them occupied e.g. pasture, dust bathing, plenty of room and an environment that they want to

investigate. Hay bales work well as the birds can investigate, peck and climb on them. Pecking stones will provide an outlet for the

birds as well. Have a look at one of these websites:

http://www.peckabloc.com.au http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/Pecka-block_for_poultry.html

Records to be kept: Animal Treatment Records, Farm Diary

7. Feed and Water

7.1. Clean, fresh drinking water shall be available at all times and be:

7.1.1. from an uncontaminated source; and

7.1.2. from a source that is managed to prevent contamination.

7.2. Fresh feed that is appropriate to the nutritional needs of the birds shall be:

7.2.1. supplied in sufficient quantity to maintain the bird in good body condition and health;

7.2.2. free from banned substances or contaminants;

7.2.3. free from same species by-product; and

7.2.4. of known origin.

7.3. Feeders and waterers must be sufficient in number to avoid bullying and competition for feed and water.*

7.4. Feeders and waterers, as well as any equipment used to transport feed and water, must be kept clean and in good repair.

7.5. Force feeding is prohibited.

7.6. The routine use of antibiotics is prohibited. Antibiotics may be used to treat disease only under veterinary supervision.

7.7. Shell grit or another source of insoluble grit, will be made available at all times to layer hens and meat chickens to aid in

digestion of pasture and other vegetation.

7.8. Water fowl must have access to watering points deep enough to enable them to fully immerse their bills or beaks.

7.9. Feed storage must be covered and sealed sufficiently to reduce risk of contamination by vermin and wild birds.

7.10. An emergency or backup water supply must be available.

Compliance Guide

Feed must be supplied that meets all the animals’ nutritional requirements. Restricting any nutrient for the purpose of achieving a

commercial outcome in the final product is prohibited. E.g. the restriction of vitamin A to impact on muscle definition in cattle. Birds

must not have feed and water withheld to induce molting.

Clean fresh water must be available at all times.

Meat or blood meal may be fed to poultry but it must be from a licensed processor and it must not contain poultry. It can be of any

other species e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep.

The origin of all feed sources must be known to ensure that the animals are not being fed anything that is not appropriate and to

ensure the source can be traced back to its origins should the need arise.

Antibiotics are not to be fed at sub-therapeutic levels for the purpose of maximizing growth or feed conversion. Animals can only be

treated with antibiotics if illness occurs and under the guidance of a vet.

Shell grit should be supplied to free range birds from an early age to aid in gizzard development and to ensure that they are able to

digest fibrous materials such as grass. Consideration should be given to the particle size of the feed for all free range birds to encourage

early gizzard development. Grasses should not be allowed to grow long as these can cause problems with gizzard and crop impaction.

Grass should be mowed if growth will impact on the bird’s health. Keep grass under 10cm in height if possible.

If ponds are provided for waterfowl they must be easily emptied and be able to be sanitized. If wild birds are accessing these ponds

their use should be reconsidered as avian influenza can be transferred from these wild animals. Large tubs or buckets that can be

regularly cleaned will suffice for waterfowl. This enables them to carry out the very necessary requirement of rinsing their beaks or

bills and clear nostrils.

Feed storage must be covered to keep out all other birds, rats, mice or any other pest that can harbor or spread disease.

If you rely on tank or bore water in particular, it will be necessary to have a back up plan should your water supply fail due to drought,

electrical fault etc. Town water or backup water storage will suffice or the details of a local water carter in an emergency.

Records to be kept: Farm Diary, Feed Records, Animal Treatment Records, Chemical List

8. Lighting

8.1. When artificial lighting is used, the combination of artificial light and daylight hours must not exceed a total of 16 hours in

any one 24 hour period.

8.2. Lighting may be used to encourage hens to use nest boxes or discourage floor eggs in dark corners of housing.

8.3. Artificial lighting is permitted for the purpose of supplying heat in chick rearing facilities.

8.4. All light fittings should be fitted with shatter proof covers to prevent harm to the animals in the event of breakages.

Compliance Guide

Lighting may be required to manage productivity at different times of the year or when chicks are very young however, birds (excluding

very young chicks) must have continuous darkness for an eight hour period each night. The only exception to this is during times of

very high temperature when it is permissible to turn lights on for one hour during the night to encourage feeding for heat stressed

birds. This gives them the opportunity to eat in the cooler hours and will encourage consumption during times when feed intake may

be very low and detrimental to the health of the birds.

Records to be kept: Farm Diary

9. Transport and Handling

9.1. Transport of animals shall comply with the Model Code of Practice for the Land Transport of Animals.

9.2. All animals must be fit to travel.

9.3. Transport vehicles must be cleaned before loading of animals.

9.4. Loading and unloading of animals must be carried out with minimal stress to avoid harm and injury to the animals.

9.5. Mode of transport and all equipment used during transport will ensure the welfare of the animals and that there is no

overcrowding during transport.

9.6. Transport times should not exceed 8 hours.

9.7. Electric prods or goads are prohibited.

9.8. A transport management plan shall be in place to demonstrate that the conditions of this section of the standard are complied

with.

Compliance Guide

It is the producer’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the Model Code.

A draft Transport Management Plan is supplied to the Producer in this manual as a guide to preparing the required plan. Once the

plan is completed, it should be included in the manual.

Records to be kept: Sales Records, Farm Diary, National Vendor Declaration or Weigh Bill if applicable

10. Stockpersons

10.1. All staff, contractors or any person involved with the handling and management of the animals will;

10.1.1. receive a copy of this standard;

10.1.2.demonstrate understanding of this standard; and

10.1.3.comply with this standard.

10.2. A suitable training program will be in place for all staff and anyone involved in the handling and management of the animals

to ensure compliance to this standard.

10.3. Stockpersons should be assessed for competency in the handling of the animals in their care.

10.4. Procedures that have the potential to cause suffering should only be performed by a stockperson that can demonstrate

competency in that procedure.

Compliance Guide

A copy of the PROOF Standard should be provided to all persons that are involved with the care of the animals.

An online training lecture is available on the PROOF website under the Producer section and each person involved in the care of the

animals should view this presentation and complete the associated online quiz. The quiz certificate received should then be attached

to the Training Record along with the details and signature of the participant.

Should any staff or people responsible for the care of animals demonstrate noncompliance with the PROOF Standard, they are required

to again attend the online lecture and resubmit the online quiz.

Records to be kept: Training Record, Online quiz results

11. Replacement Stock11.1. Day old chicks, ducklings, goslings and poults may be purchased from any reliable source but they must not be de-beaked,

de-snooded or have toes clipped.

11.2. Meat birds must be raised on farm from chicks.

11.3. Meat chicks shall be reared under conditions designed to develop natural behaviour and accustom the birds to conditions

that will be encountered in a free range environment as soon as practicable. Facilities should accustom the birds to;

11.3.1.hours and intensity of sunlight; and

11.3.2.outdoor temperatures.

11.4. Meat chicks must have unrestricted access to the range as soon as they are sufficiently feathered or before 28 days of age.

11.5. Purchased point of lay pullets or layer chicks raised on farm, shall be reared under conditions designed to develop natural

behaviour and accustom the birds to conditions that will be encountered in a free range environment from the age of 8 weeks.

Facilities should accustom the birds to;

11.5.1.hours and intensity of sunlight;

11.5.2.outdoor temperatures; and

11.5.3.perches.

11.6. Point of lay pullets may be purchased from a reliable source on the condition that they are not de-beaked and that they are

accompanied with a vendor declaration that satisfies the requirements of this section of the standard. A list of certified

suppliers will be made available on the PROOF website.

11.7. Purchased point of lay pullets that have not been sourced from a PROOF certified supplier will be excluded from certification

for a period of four weeks from delivery on farm. Eggs from these birds cannot be sold under the PROOF certification during

this period.

11.8. Initially, farms that are converting de-beaked flocks to non-de-beaked flocks may be granted certification if evidence is

provided that this transition is already underway. It will be a condition of the Licensing Agreement that no further purchases

of de-beaked birds are made and that all future replacements will be of non de-beaked birds.

Compliance Guide

It is very important that all birds are accustomed to an outdoor environment as soon as possible after hatching. This process should

begin very early by supplying structures that the birds are able to climb on to help develop muscle structure and bone density and to

prepare layer birds for perching as they grow older. Perches must be provided from at least 8 weeks of age to train layer birds in their

use.

All birds must be accustomed to sunlight with increasing intensity to prepare them for an outdoor life. Birds must also be slowly

adapted to varying degrees and fluctuating temperatures that they will experience in the range and in outdoor housing.

The producer must ensure that when orders are placed for chicks or pullets that a written order is provided to the supplier stipulating

that the birds are not to be beak trimmed.

Meat birds must be raised from chicks on farm to comply with this standard.

Layer birds can be purchased as pullets or point of lay if they have not had their beaks trimmed but their eggs cannot be sold as free

range or under the PROOF logo until four weeks after arrival on farm unless they are purchases from a PROOF certified supplier. This

requirement will be closely inspected at audit.

A list of approved PROOF certified suppliers will be made available on the website.

To encourage producers to convert to free range and non de-beaked birds, a derogation can be made for producers that already have

de-beaked birds on farm but have started the transition to non de-beaked hens. There must already be at least one flock on farm that

has full beaks to demonstrate commitment to this change and a clause will be included in the License Agreement that no further de-

beaked birds will be purchased or brought on farm.

Records to be kept: Purchase Records, Orders for replacement stock, Animal Treatment Records, Farm Diary

12. Record Keeping

12.1. A Farm Diary with dated entries or equivalent record keeping system must be available to the auditor during inspection.12.2. A records system must be in place that demonstrates compliance with each applicable section of this Standard and may

include:

12.2.1.Biosecurity Checklist

12.2.2.Feed records (including purchase invoices and formulations)

12.2.3.Chemical log

12.2.4.Feed and pasture treatment records

12.2.5.Animal treatments (including quarantine, stock rotations & stock movements)

12.2.6.Sales and purchases

12.2.7.Animal births and deaths

Compliance Guide

Records need to be kept to be able to prove compliance to the Standards. Most forms that you will need to achieve this are supplied

in this manual.

A Farm Diary is an easy way to keep track of day to day events on a small farm. An exercise book with dated entries will suffice or a

printed diary with enough room on each page to record what is happening on farm on a daily basis.

Keep copies of invoices, delivery notes of Vendor Declarations that relate to purchase of animals, feed, bedding, chemicals or animal

treatments etc. If you buy in eggs from another certified producer, make sure the details are precisely recorded for your next audit.

Record you pasture management e.g. planting, harvesting, mowing, slashing etc in your Farm Diary. A simple entry is all that is needed

e.g. 5/9/14 mowed paddock 3. Raked and removed cuttings.

Record your paddock rotations or shed movements in the same manner as above.

Record every treatment that is given to animals even those that are ‘natural’ or non chemical.

Egg producers will need to keep daily records of eggs collected.

Record all deaths of animals including any that are culled. Also record sales of spent birds.

If you apply any treatments to your pastures e.g. herbicides, you must also record this and remember to adhere to the withholding

period for grazing.

Remember: If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen