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5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforChickensRaisedforMeat|IssuedJuly3,2017|v3.0|©2017GlobalAnimalPartnership.Allrightsreserved. 1

GlobalAnimalPartnership’s5-Step® AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforChickensRaisedforMeatv3.0 Aboutthe5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingProgram

The5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingprogram,assessesthelevelofwelfareofanimalson-farm,duringtransportandatslaughter.Standardsforadditionalcomponentsofproduction,suchashatcheryandbreeding,willbedevelopedinthefuture.

Throughitsverydesignasamulti-tieredprogram,5-Step®Programpromotescontinuousimprovementinanimalagriculture;engagesabroadspectrumofproducers;allowsforwiderproductselectionforgreaterconsumeroptions;providesmoredetailedinformationaboutthelevelofwelfareoffarmanimals;andbetterinformsconsumersabouttheproductionsystemstheymaychoosetosupport.

Eachsetoftieredstandards—fromStep1toStep5+—hasitsownrequirementsthatmustbemetbeforecertificationtothatparticularSteplevelcanbeassigned.Asthestandard-setter,GlobalAnimalPartnershipdoesnotconductauditsnormakeStep-ratingcertificationdecisions.Authorized,third-partycertificationcompaniesperformtheauditsandissueStepcertificates,asappropriate.Assuch,producers,consumers,andretailersalikecanbeconfidentthatStepratingsarefair,accurate,andfreeofconflictofinterest.

Aboutthe5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforChickensRaisedforMeat

Thisversionofthe5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforChickensRaisedforMeatwasissuedon3July2017,replacesallpreviousversions,andiseffective1January2018.Anyoperationsauditedonorafter1January2018,includingthoseundergoingre-certification,willbeauditedtothisversion.Thesix-monthimplementationperiodfromissuedatetoeffectivedateenablesproducers,bothnewtothe5-Step®programandthoserenewingcertification,timetoadjusttheirmanagementpracticesandprotocolsasnecessary.Thedevelopmentprocessincludedconsultationandguidancefromanimalwelfarescientificexperts,producers,publiccomments,andreviewandapprovalbytheGlobalAnimalPartnershipBoardofDirectors.AboutGlobalAnimalPartnership

GlobalAnimalPartnership,anonprofitcharitableorganizationfoundedin2008,bringstogetherfarmers,scientists,ranchers,retailers,andanimaladvocates—adiversegroupwiththecommongoalofwantingtoimprovethewelfareofanimalsinagriculture.

Formoreinformation,[email protected].


ProgramOverviewChickensraisedinStep1systemstypicallyliveinastationaryhousingstructureandarerequiredtoprovidechickenswithspacetoexpressnaturalbehaviorandenrichmentintheirenvironment.InStep2,theyalsotypicallyliveinanindoorenvironmentbutwithnaturallight,andareprovidedwithdifferenttypesofenrichments.ChickensinStep3systemshaveaccesstotheoutdoors,whenseasonalconditionsallow,withprovisionsthatencouragerangingandforagingwhenoutdoors.InStep4,chickensliveonpasture,withaccesstohousing;duringwinter,chickensmaybetakenoffpasturebutmusthavedailyaccesstotheoutdoors.InStep5andStep5+,chickenslivecontinuouslyoutdoorsonpastureandmayonlyberemovedduringextremeweatherconditions.AtStep5+,chickensarealsorequiredtospendtheirlivesfromplacementonasinglefarm,andareslaughteredatamobileoron-farmslaughterfacility.StepLevel MarketingClaims DescriptionofSystem ManagementHighlights

Nocages,nocrates,nocrowding

ChickensinStep1systemsliveinastationaryhousingstructureandareprovidedspacetoexpressnaturalbehaviorandenrichment

Chickensaretypicallyhousedindoorsandrequiredtomeetamaximumstockingdensityof6.0lbs./ft2.Producersarerequiredtomanagetheenvironmenttomaintainlitter,airqualityandprovidechickenswithenvironmentalenrichment.Environmentalenrichmentsarematerialsthatareprovidedtochickenstoaddcomplexitytotheirenvironmentandencouragetheexpressionofnaturalbehavior(suchaspecking,scratching,explorationandplaybehavior).

Enrichedenvironment

ChickensinStep2systemsliveinanindoorenvironmentwithatleast2differenttypesofenrichmentandnaturallight(by2022).

AtStep2,chickensmusthave2differenttypesofenrichmentstofurtherencouragetheexpressionofnaturalbehaviorsandtheoperationmustbeprogressingtowardstheprovisionofnaturallight.

Enhancedoutdooraccess

ChickensinStep3systemshaveseasonaloutdooraccess.

Chickensliveinastationaryhousingstructurewithnaturallightwithseasonaloutdooraccess.Outdooraccessisdefinedasanoutdoorareabutdoesnothavetobepasture.Outdoorareasmustcontainfeaturesthatincreasethecomplexityoftheenvironment.Indoorareasmusthavetwodifferenttypesofenrichmentsandnaturallight.

Pasturecentered ChickensinStep4systemsliveonpasture;duringwinterchickensmaybehousedwithcontinuousaccesstotheoutdoors.

Thissteprequiresbreedsofchickenswithhigherwelfareoutcomesthatliveonpasturefromtheageof4weekswithaccesstohousingorshelter.Duringwinter,chickensmaybetakenoffpasturebutmusthavedailyaccesstotheoutdoors.Pastureincludesaccesstorangelands,grassland,plantedpastures,managedpastures,woodedareas,andharvestedcropareas.

Animalcentered;nophysicalalterations

ChickensinStep5systemslivecontinuouslyonpastureandmayonlybehousedduringextremeweatherconditions.

ThisSteprequiresbreedswithhigherwelfareoutcomesthathavetheabilitytoperchandlivecontinuouslyonpasturefromtheageof4weeks.Thisstepalsorequiresconfirmationthatthebreedingstockmeetspecificwelfarecriteria.


Animalcentered;entirelifeonsamefarm

ChickensinStep5+systemslivecontinuouslyonpastureandmayonlybehousedduringextremeweatherconditions.Chickensareslaughteredon-farm.

Chickenslivecontinuouslyonpasturefromtheageof4weeks.ThisSteprequiresslowergrowingbreedsthathavetheabilitytoperch.Chickensspendtheirentirelivesonasinglefarm,andareslaughteredatamobileoron-farmslaughterfacility.

HowtoReadtheseStandards

StandardsapplicabletoaSteplevelaredesignatedwitha•symbolinthecorrespondingStepcolumn.Themindicatesthestandardisconsideredamajornon-conformance(seeNon-conformancessectionbelowformoredetails,andtheGAPPilotPolicyManualv1.0[Section5-Non-Conformances]).

Intheexamplebelow,thestandardisrequiredforeachSteplevel,Step1throughStep5+:

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.4Handling

2.4.1C

Chickensmustbehandledproperlyandrespectfully. • • • • • • ! [2.4.1a]:GAPhasazero-tolerancepolicytokicking,throwing,striking,punching,hittingandanyotheractionsoromissionsincarethatcouldcauseharmorinjurytochickens.! [2.4.1b]:Properandrespectfulhandlingextendstoallchickens–healthy,sick,injuredand/ordead.

Inthisexample,5.1.1isrequiredonlyforStep3,5.1.2isrequiredonlyforStep4,and5.1.3isrequiredforStep5-5+.Inaddition,the! symbolprefacesadditionalinformationprovidedtoaidintheunderstandingofthestandard:

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+5.1Outdoorand/orPastureAccess! Operationsarestronglyencouragedtoprovidechickensaccesstotheoutdoorsfromtheyoungestagepossibleandforasmuchoftheirlivesaspossible.

5.1.1mAllchickensfrom4weeksofagemustbegivencontinuousoutdooraccessduringdaylighthoursunlessclimaticconditionsposeawelfarerisk. • ! [5.1.1]:ChickensinStep3systemshaveseasonaloutdooraccess.

5.1.2 Allchickensfrom4weeksofagemustbegivencontinuousaccesstopastureduringdaylighthours.Ifclimaticconditionsposeawelfareriskthenchickenscanberemovedfrompasturebutmustbegivencontinuousaccesstoanoutdoorareaduringdaylighthours.

•

! [5.1.2]:SeeSection5.2forrequirementsforpastureandoutdoorareas.5.1.3 Allchickensfrom4weeksofagemustbegivencontinuousaccesstotheoutdoorsduringdaylight • •


hoursexceptduringextremeweatherconditions.Seasonalhousingduetoinclementclimaticconditionsisprohibited.! [5.1.3]:ChickensinStep5andStep5+systemsmayonlybehousedduringextremeweatherconditions(e.g.non-typicalweatherfortheseasonsuchaslargeswingsintemperatureorheavyprecipitation,tornadoes,hurricanes,monsoons,blizzards,floods)thatjeopardizetheirwelfare.

The! symbolprefacesadditionalinformationprovidedtoaidintheunderstandingofthestandard:

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.1HousingSystems

4.1.1

Allcagesystemsareprohibited. • • • • • •! [4.1.1]:Acageisafullyenclosedstructuremadeofmesh,bars,orwiresthatpreventsfullrangeofmotionandtheabilitytoexpressnaturalbehavior,suchasroosting,foraging,andexercising(e.g.,batterycage,colonycage).Cagesdonotincludefenced-inporchesandoutdoorenclosuresprovidedtheyallowforfullrangeofmotionandtheabilitytoexpressnaturalbehavior.Transportcontainersarealsoexcludedfromthedefinitionofcages.Thisstandarddoesnotprecludetheuseofnettedmobile/moveablecoopsystems,howeverthesesystemscanonlyachieveStep2


ProgramRequirementsThefollowingisapplicabletoeachoperationapplyingforcertificationtoGlobalAnimalPartnership’s5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingProgramforchickensraisedformeat.1. General

a. Thestandardsinthisdocumentarerequirements.b. Theoperationmusthavereadthestandardsandpreparedfortheauditortheycannotbecertified.c. WiththeexceptionofStandard1.1.5forSteps5and5+,standardsforbreedinganimalsarenotincludedinthisdocumentandwillbedevelopedinthe

future.d. Unlessotherwisespecified,standardsinthisdocumentpertaintochickensofanyage.a. Theterm“flock”isdefinedasabarn/houseofchickens.Intheeventofsplitslaughterages–forexampleiftheflockisthinned–lamenessandfootpad

dermatitisassessmentsmustbecarriedoutintheoldestbirdstobeslaughtered.i. Anexampleofasingleflockcouldbeonehouseof10,000chicksthatarebroodedtogetherandthenrearedthroughtoslaughterallonthe

samedate.ii. IfchicksarebroodedtogetherbutaresubsequentlyraisedtodifferentSteplevelstheywouldbeconsideredtwoflocksandwouldrequiretwo

setsofrecordsiii. If10,000chicksarebroodedtogetherthensplitintotwoseparatehousesforthiswouldbetwoflocks.iv. Ifanoperationhasasinglebarnwithtwofloorsandthebirdsonthetopfloorareplacedononedayandthebirdsonthebottomfloorare

placed5dayslaterthiswouldbetwoflocks.e. Theterm“operation”isdefinedaseither(i)asinglefarmor(ii)afarmwithmorethanonelocation,thatmeetsallofthefollowingcriteria:

i. allstaffandchickensareunderthedirectsupervision*ofthemainfarm;ii. themainfarmownsallofthechickens;andiii. themainfarmowns,rentsorleases,allthelandand/orbuildingswherethechickensareraised.

AnindividualoperationcanincludeafarmthatisundercontracttoraisechickensforalargerbusinessORafarmthatownstheirownchickensandmarketsthemundertheirownbrand(s).*Directsupervisionisdefinedasbeingwhenanemployeeofthemaincertifiedfarmbusinessisresponsibleforthechickensonthefarmthatisataseparatelocationtothemainfarm.Ifthepersonresponsibleforthemanagementandcareofthechickensataseparatelocationtothemaincertifiedfarmbusinessisacontractfarmerandnotanemployee,thenthatsiteisaseparateoperationforthepurposesofdeterminingthenumberofaudits–evenifthereisroutineoversightfromanemployeeofthemainoperation.f. InordertoachievecertificationtoaparticularStep-rating,theoperationmustmeetallapplicablestandards.Forexample,allstandardsspecifiedfor

Step3mustbemetinordertobecomecertifiedtoStep3.g. TheGAPPilotPolicyManualv1.0isacompaniondocumenttothestandards,anddetailsadditionalprogramrequirementsandtermsofcertification

beyondthatwhichisincludedinthestandards(seewww.globalanimalpartnership.orgforacopyofthePolicymanual).h. GAPisdevelopingaChainofCustodyRecordsReconciliationProgram(CCRRP)andwhenfinalized,allsupplychainsidentifiedintheCCRRPwillbe

requiredtobecertified.CCRRPcertificationwillincludeverifyingnumbersofanimals/rawmaterialsthroughtheentiresupplychain(i.e.fromhatchtomarket).

i. Eachoperationmustfollowachainofcustodyprogram(seeSection9.6)thatisalsomaintainedbytheslaughterfacilityandanyfurtherprocessor.Thechainofcustodyprogramcanbedevelopedandimplementedbyanaffiliatedgroup(e.g.,aproducergroup,co-operative,marketingentity)orcreatedwiththeaidofexternalconsultation.


j. Aglossarydefiningspecifictermsandterminologyusedinthesestandardsislocatedattheendofthisdocument.k. Nostandardinthisdocumentsupersedesgovernmentalregulationsorlaws,whetherlocal,regional,state,provincial,territorial,federal,national,or

other.

2. Applications

a. Eachoperationisrequiredtosubmitacompleted5-Step®applicationforeachcertificationcyclepriortoaudit.b. Eachoperationmustidentifyallsites(eitherowned,leased,and/orshared)usedtoraisemeatchickensbytheoperationontheir5-Step®application.c. Applications,andotherprogramdocuments,canbedownloadedatwww.globalanimalpartnership.org/orbycontactingyourGAP-accreditedcertifier.

3. AuditandCertification

a. Eachoperationmustsubmitacompleted5-Step®application,andbeauditedandcertifiedpriortomarketinganyproduct(s)asStep-rated.b. Eachoperationmustbeauditedonceeverycertificationcycle.Acertificationcycleis15-months,whichallowsforchickensandoperationstobe

assessedseasonallyovera5-yearperiod.c. Eachoperationmusthavechickenson-siteatthetimeofon-siteaudit,butnotallhousesatanoperationmusthavechickensinthematthetimeofthe

on-siteaudit.d. Atinitialaudittheoperationmusthavechickenson-sitethatareover21daysold.e. Atthetimeofon-siteaudit,theperson(s)responsibleformanagingtheoperationand/orananimalcaretakermustbepresent.Adesignated

representativeaffiliatedwithasuppliergroupmayalsobepresentatthetimeoftheon-siteaudit,butcannotbetheonlypersonpresent.f. Eachoperationapplyingfor5-Step®certificationisresponsibleforensuringthatallrequiredrecordsanddocumentsareavailable,andthatallapplicable

standardsaremet,includingactionsthatmaybecontractedormanagedbyanotherentity(e.g.catchingandloading,transport,rodentcontrol).g. Allapplicablestandards,includingthosethatmaybecontrolledormanagedby,orcontractedto,another(e.g.thehatchery;acatchingandloading

crew;atransporter;aproducergroup,co-operative,ormarketingentity;slaughterfacility),willbeassessedforcompliancebythecertificationcompanyandincorporatedintoitsoverallassessmentoftheoperationpriortothefinalStepdetermination.

h. GAPsupportstheuseofvideoorotherelectronicmonitoringrecordsforthereviewofbrooding(forindividualoperationsthatmarkettheirownchickensseen.ii.below)andcatchingandloadingchickens.UseofvideotechnologyisnotarequirementbutcanbeusedinplaceofcertainobservationslistedinGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0.PleaserefertoGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0foradditionaldetailsabouthowthismustbeconducted.

i. AuditorsdonotmakeStep-ratingdeterminationsnorprovideconsultativeservicetoproducersonmeetingstandardsrequirements;reviewersofauthorizedcertificationcompaniesmakeStep-ratingdeterminations.

j. Operationsareonlyconsideredseasonaliftheyproducechickensforaportionoftheyear(e.g.flocksraisedfromJulytoNovember).Ifanoperationproduceschickensyearround,butonlyproducesStep-ratedchickensseasonally(i.e.fortheholidays),theoperationisnotconsideredaseasonaloperation.

k. Foroperationsthat(1)onlyraisechickensseasonallyor(2)arenewoperations,theissuedateofthe5-Step®certificatewillbethedateoftheon-siteaudit,ratherthanthedatethefinalStep-ratingdecisionismade.

l. Ifchickensarenotraisedonasingleoperationanddifferentstagesofproductionareconductedbydifferentoperations(e.g.chickensarebroodedandraisedto4weeksatlocationA,andthentransportedtolocationBwherefrom4weeksonwardstheyareraised),eachoperationmustsubmitacompleted5-Step®applicationandbeauditedandcertifiedpriortoproductbeingmarketedasStep-rated.


m. Step-wisedifferentiationcannotbeawardedonthebasisofseason.Forexample,aStep3operationcannotmarkettheirchickensasStep3duringthetimeofyearwhenchickenswouldtypicallybeoutdoors,andasaStep2whenchickenswouldtypicallybekeptindoors.

n. SpecificsforIndividualOperationsthatMarketTheirOwnChickensi. Anoperationthatmarketsitsownchickensmusthaveatleast1flockinspectedwhenchickensarewithin14daysofslaughter.ii. Atleast1flockmustbeobservedduringbrooding(upto21days)(thiscanbeobservedusingvideotechnology–see3h.above;GAP’sPilot

PolicyManualv1.0;andcheckandconfirmcertifier’sprotocolsforfurtherdetails).iii. Iftheoperationhasmorethan4flocks,thenaminimumof50%oftheflockswillbeselectedbytheauditorforinspectionwhileon-sitewith

preferencegiventotheoldestflocks.Iftheoperationhasmultiplelocations,the50%requirementmustincludeatleastoneinspectionateachlocation.

iv. Catchingandloadingmustbeobservedandauditedatleastonceeachcertificationcycle(thiscanbeobservedusingvideotechnology–see3h.above;GAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0;andcheckandconfirmcertifier’sprotocolsforfurtherdetails).

v. Thecatchingandloadingobservationreferencedabovecanbeofnon-Step-ratedchickens,providedallaspectsofthecatchingandloadingprocessarethesameforallflocks,includingthosetobemarketedasStep-rated.

o. SpecificsforOperationsthatarePartofanAffiliatedGroup

i. Foroperationsthatmarketchickensthroughanaffiliatedgroup(e.g.producergroup,co-operative,marketingentity)ratherthanundertheoperation’sownnameorbrand,30%oftheoperationsmusthave1flockinspectedwhenchickensarewithin14daysofslaughter;5%atlessthan21daysofage;andtheremaining65%whenthechickensareover21daysofage.

ii. Ifanindividualoperationwithinanaffiliatedgrouphasmorethan4flocks,thenaminimumof50%oftheflockswillbeselectedbytheauditorforinspectionwhileon-site.Iftheoperationhasmultiplelocations,the50%requirementmustincludeatleastoneinspectionateachlocation.

iii. Catchingandloadingmustbeobservedandauditedatleastonceeachcertificationcycle.Iftheaffiliatedgroupcontrolscatchingandloadingformultipleoperations,theauditormayobserveandinspectthecatchingandloadingprocessforthegroupratherthanoneachapplicant’sownoperation,providedthat(1)theassessmentisperformedatleastoncepercertificationcycleand(2)allaspectsofthecatchingandloadingprocessarethesameforalloperations.(Thiscanbeobservedusingvideotechnology–see3a.vii.Above;GAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0;andcheckandconfirmcertifier’sprotocolsforfurtherdetails).

iv. Thecatchingandloadingobservationreferencedabovecanbeofnon-Step-ratedchickens,providedallaspectsofthecatchingandloadingprocessarethesameforallflocks,includingthosetobemarketedasStep-rated.

4. Non-conformances Note:ThissectionprovidesabriefoverviewoftheprovisionsoftheGAPPilotPolicyManualv1.0relatingtonon-conformances.Forfurtherdetails

pleaserefertothatdocument.a. Ifanoperationfailstomeetastandard,itwillbeconsideredanon-conformance.Therearethreecategoriesofnon-conformance:minor,majorand

critical(seeGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0).b. Ifanoperationreceivesarepeatnon-conformanceatthetimeofthenextaudit–thedesignationofminor,majorandcriticalimpactsthecertification

decision(seeRepeatNon-conformancesinGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0).

Intheexamplebelow,theCindicatesthatfailuretomeetthestandardwouldbeconsideredacriticalnon-conformanceandtheoperationwouldbedeniedcertification(seeGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0,Section5RepeatNon-conformancesforfurtherinformation).


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.4Handling

2.4.1C

Chickensmustbehandledproperlyandrespectfully. • • • • • • ! [2.4.1a]:GAPhasazero-tolerancepolicytokicking,throwing,striking,punching,hittingandanyotheractionsoromissionsincarethatcouldcauseharmorinjurytochickens.! [2.4.1b]:Properandrespectfulhandlingextendstoallchickens–healthy,sick,injuredand/ordead.

Intheexamplebelow,theMindicatesthatfailuretomeetthestandardwouldbeconsideredamajornon-conformance.Ifatrecertification,thisstandardwasstillnotincompliance,thenitwouldbeconsideredacriticalnon-conformanceandtheoperationwouldbedeniedcertification(seeGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0,Section5RepeatNon-conformancesforfurtherinformation).

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+1.1Source/Breed/Lines1.1.1m Intentionaluseofgeneticallymodifiedorclonedchickens,ortheirprogeny,isprohibited • • • • • •

Intheexamplebelow,asthereisnoMorCbesidethestandard,thismeansthatthestandardisclassifiedasaminornon-conformanceifitfailstobemet.Ifatrecertification,thisstandardwasstillnotincompliance,thenitwouldbeconsideredamajornon-conformance(seeGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0,Section5RepeatNon-conformancesforfurtherinformation).

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.2HazardManagement

2.2.1 Equipment,fittings,openings,protrusions,housing,outdoorareas,fences,andanyotherstructuresmustbemaintainedtopreventinjury. • • • • • •

c. Ifanoperationisissuedacriticalnon-conformance,certificationwillbedenied.d. Ifanoperationisissuedamajororminornon-conformance,itneedstobeaddressedandtheresponsesubmittedtothecertifierbytheoperation

within3weeksfromthedatethecertifierissuestheauditreport,andbeacceptedbythecertifierasanacceptableresponsetothenon-conformance,beforeacertificateisissued.Iftheoperationdoesnotrespondtothenon-conformancewithin3weeks,itwillresultinashortenedcertificateonceanacceptableresponseisreceived(seeGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0Section5Non-conformances).

5. StepDifferentiationwithintheStandards

a. EachSteplevel—Step1throughStep5+—hasitsownrequirementsthatmustbemettobecertifiedtothatlevel.Ifanoperation,forexample,meetssomebutnotallStep4(orhigher)requirements,but100%oftherequirementsforStep1,the5-Step®certificationwillbeStep1.


b. Stepdifferentiatorstandardsarethosethatdonotapplytoallsteps.MeatchickenscanachieveStepratings1,2,3,4,5and5+.AnystandardthatdoesnotapplytoallofthoselevelsisaStepdifferentiatorstandard.IntheexamplebelowStandard4.5.4onlyappliestoSteps1and2,Standard4.5.5onlyappliestoSteps3and4,andStandard4.5.6onlyappliestoSteps5and5+.

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.5Lighting

4.5.4 mByday3afterplacement(exceptwhenraisedundernaturallightingconditionsanddarkperiodsareshorter),chickensmustbeprovideddailywithatleast8hoursofcontinuouslightandatleast6hoursofcontinuousdarkness(<1lux)throughouttheirlives.

• •

4.5.5Byday3afterplacement(exceptwhenraisedundernaturallightingconditionsanddarkperiodsareshorter),chickensmustbeprovideddailywithatleast8hoursofcontinuouslightandatleast8hoursofcontinuousdarkness(<1lux)throughouttheirlives.

• •

4.5.6Fromplacement(exceptwhenraisedundernaturallightingconditionsanddarkperiodsareshorter),chickensmustbeprovidedwithadailyminimumof8hoursofcontinuousdarknessthroughouttheirlives.

• •

c. Atrenewal,ifanoperationfailstomeetastandardthatisspecifictotheirrating,itwilldroptotheapplicableSteplevel,orlosecertificationas

appropriate,unlesstheCertifierappliestheirdiscretiontoissueanon-conformanceifandonlyif:i. thestandardthatisoutofconformanceisnotarepeatfromthepreviousaudit;andii. theCertifierisconfidenttheoperationwillbeabletoachieveandmaintainthelevelspecifiedinthestandard;andiii. theoperationisonlyoutofconformancewithonestandardrelatingtotheStepleveltheoperationislookingtoachieve.

6. Step-Ratings

a. Step-ratingcertificationinformation(seeStandard9.6.2)musttravelwithchickenswhenevertheyarebeingmovedofftheoperationiftheyaretobemarketedasStep-rated.

b. AlllocationsmustcarrythesameStep-ratingorthelowestStep-ratingisappliedtothemarketedproduct.i. Forexample,supposethereare5operationsownedbydifferentoperatorsthatproducemeatchickensmarketedunderasinglebrandand

chickensarenotsegregatedaccordingtooperation.PriortomarketingchickensasStep-rated,all5operationsneedtobeaudited.Ofthese5operations4arecertifiedtoStep4andoneiscertifiedStep3.Becausechickensarenotsegregatedbyoperation,allchickensfromall5operationswouldhavetobemarketedasStep3.

ii. Asasecondexamplesupposethereare6operationsownedbydifferentoperatorsthatraisechickensmarketedbyasingleproducergroupwithchickenssegregatedaccordingtooperation.PriortomarketingproductasStep-rated,all6operationsneedtobeaudited.Ofthose6operationsfourarecertifiedasStep4andtwoarecertifiedasStep1.Asthechickensaresegregatedaccordingtooperation,thechickensfromtheStep1operationscanbemarketedasStep1andthechickensfromtheStep4operationscanbemarketedasStep4.

iii. IfchickenstobemarketedasStep-ratedarenotraisedonasingleoperationanddifferentstagesofproductionareconductedbydifferentoperations,eachoperationmustsubmitacompleted5-Step®applicationandbeauditedandcertified,andthelowestStepratingachievedwillbeassignedtothemarketedproduct.Forexample,chicksarebroodedatFarmA,whichsellsthechickenstoFarmBforgrow-out.FarmAachievesaratingofStep2,andFarmBiscertifiedtoStep3.ThefinalproductwillbelabeledasStep2.


c. IfanoperationproducesbothStep-ratedchickensandnon-Step-ratedchickensonthesamesite(e.g.wheretherearemultiplehousesmanagedtodifferentprograms),thisisdefinedasasplitoperation.Inordertoqualifyasasplitoperation,astrictsegregationprotocolmustbeinplaceandapprovedbythecertifierpriortoa5-Step®certificationdecisionbeingissued.Thesegregationprotocolmustincludeallofthefollowingcomponents(SeeGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0,Section6):

i. AwrittenpolicydescribinghowchickenfromStep-ratedflocksissegregatedfromchickenfromnon-Step-ratedflocks;ANDii. Howchickensarephysicallyseparated(forexamplepackedondedicatedlines);ORiii. Howchickensareidentifiedusingamethodthatallowsforinstantvisualidentification.

d. AsoutlinedinthePilotGAPPolicyManualv1.0(Section6.Certificates),splitoperationswillnotbeissuedcertificationtotheoperationasawhole,rathercertificateswillspecifythecertifiedStep-ratedportionofthesplitoperation.

7. AdditionalStandardsDocuments

Thedocumentslistedbelowcanbedownloadedatwww.globalanimalpartnership.org/the-5-step-program/our-standards/orreceivedbycontactingyourGAP-accreditedcertifier.

a. Asnotedabove,the5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforMeatChickensv3.0isaccompaniedbyGAP’sPilotPolicyManualv1.0.b. Asperbullet2aabove,eachoperationisrequiredtocompletea5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsPilotProgramApplication:MeatChickens,

eachcertificationcycle.

8. Labelinga. PriortolabelinganychickenasStep-rated,themarketingentitymustensurethattheymeetlabelingregulationsforthecountryinwhichtheyare

selling.b. TheuseoftheGAPlabel/logomustmeettherequirementsofGAP’sLabelingGuide,andbeapprovedbyGAPpriortouse.c. Beforeretail-readypackagedproductsarelabeledasStep-rated,operationsmustcontactGAP’sLabeledProductsAuthorizationProgramatlpa@globalanimalpartnership.orgfordetailsoftheapplication,feescheduleandapprovalprocess.


TABLEOFCONTENTS1ANIMALSOURCEANDHEALTH

Source/Breed/Lines 12GrowthRates 13Medication 13Treatment 13On-FarmEuthanasia 14

2ANIMALCAREANDMANAGEMENT

DailyFlockManagement 16HazardManagement 16ChicksandBrooding 16Handling 16PhysicalAlterations 16ThermalComfort 17FeatherPecking 17FootpadDermatitis 17Lameness 18Mortality 18Culling 19OtherCommerciallyRaisedAnimalsontheOperation 19

DomesticAnimalsontheOperation 193FEEDANDWATER

WaterAvailability 20FeedingRequirements 20FeedHygiene 20AdditivesandIngredientsinFeedorWater 20

4HOUSING

HousingSystems 21AccesstoHousing 21

LitterandFlooring 21AirQuality 22Lighting 22StockingDensity 23Perches 24EnvironmentalEnrichments 24

5OUTDOORCONDITIONS

Outdoorand/orPastureAccess 26VegetationandForagingMaterials 27SpaceRequirementsofOutdoorAreas 27ProvisionstoEncourageChickenstoUseOutdoorandPastureAreas 28

6LOADING

ConditionofChickens 29WaterandFeedWithdrawal 29CatchingandLoading 29TransportContainers 30

7TRANSPORT

TransportofChicks 31EquipmentandVehiclesforChickens 31TransportPersonnelResponsibilitiesandProcedures 31

TransportDurationforChickens 32TransportRecords 32

8RODENT,WILDBIRD,ANDPREDATORCONTROL

RodentControl 33WildBirdControl 33PredatorControl 33GuardianAnimals 34

9PLANS,PROTOCOLS,PROCEDURES,TRAINING,RECORDSANDDOCUMENTS

GeneralRequirements 35WrittenFarm/AnimalHealthPlan/SystemPlan 35BiosecurityProceduresandProtocols 36AlternativePowerSupply 36Training 36TraceabilityandChainofCustody 37

10SLAUGHTERREQUIREMENTSGeneralRequirements 38SegregationandIn-PlantTraceability 39Appendix I: Breeds/Strains Growth Rates and

Step-Ratings 40AppendixII:IdentifyingandScoring

FootpadDermatitis 42AppendixIII:InterventionPlans 45AppendixIV:LamenessEvaluation 46AppendixV:SoiledFeatherAssessment 48AppendixVI:LitterQualityAssessment 50AppendixVII:SensoryEvaluationof AirQuality 52AppendixVIII:EnvironmentalEnrichments 54AppendixIX:Illustrationof«AtChickenHeight» 70AppendixX:ProvisionstoEncourageChickenstoUseOutdoorandPastureAreas 71Glossary 74


!Certainhistoricalrecordsanddocumentsincludedinthissetofstandardsmaynotbeavailableatthetimeofinitialauditastheoperationapplyingfor5-Step®certificationwasunawaretheywouldberequiredtomonitorand/orrecordsthemand,therefore,cannotcreatethemforpastevents,treatments,assessments,orpractices.Atthetimeofinitialaudit,record-keeping,protocolsanddocumentationmechanismsmustbeinplacetomeeteachofthesestandards,andbeavailableforreview.1ANIMALSOURCEANDHEALTH!GAPannouncedinMarch2016thatitwouldbetransitioningallofourStepLevelstohigherwelfaregeneticsby2024.Toassistustothatend,GAPhasprovidedaresearchgranttotheUniversityofGuelphtodeterminethespecificrequirementsforeachSteplevel.Oncethefindingsfromthatstudyareavailable,GAPwillusetheinformationtoupdatethisdocument,andpublishasv4.0ofthisstandard.!ItisGAP’sintentiontodevelopstandardsforparentstock(i.e.broilerbreeders)asacomponentofv4.0.

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+1.1 Source/Breed/Lines!Thepurposeofthissectionistoensurethatproducerschosetherightbreedorstrainforthesystemtheyaremanaging,whetherthisisindoorsorpasturebased.Theover-archingprinciplesforgoodbroilerchickenwelfarethatmustbeconsideredwhenselectingabreedorstrainarecoveredinStandards1.1.2to1.1.4.TheinformationalnotesbelowStandards1.1.2to1.1.4referencerelatedsectionswithinthestandardthatcanbeusedtosubstantiatebreedorstrainsuitability.1.1.1m Intentionaluseofgeneticallymodifiedorclonedchickensisprohibited. • • • • • •

1.1.2Breeds/lines/strainsmustbechosenforgoodleghealthandforlowlevelsofmortality. • • • • • •! [1.1.2]:SeerelatedSections2.9and2.10.

1.1.3Breeds/lines/strainsmustbechosenfortheabilitytorangeandforgoodimmunesystems. • • •! [1.1.3]:SeerelatedSections1.4.2,2.10,5.1,5.2,5.3,5.4,

1.1.4

Breeds/linesmustbeabletoperchthroughouttheirlives. • •! [1.1.4a]:The5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsdefinesperchingastheactofbalancingwithfeet(claws)wrappedaroundanelevatedobjectsuchasawoodenbarorpole,oratreebranch.Chickensmustbeabletoperchwhileinbothsittingandstandingpositions. ! [1.1.4b]:SeerelatedSection4.7andStandard5.4.3

1.1.5

Eachoperationmusthaveasignedaffidavitfromthesourceconfirmingthatparentstock(i.e.broilerbreeders)meetallofthefollowingcriteria:

a. feddaily;b. notwaterrestricted;c. neverbeenkeptincages;andd. nevergivensub-therapeuticantibiotics.

• •

! [1.15a]:Theaffidavitmaycomefromthehatcheryorthebreedcompany.


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+1.2GrowthRates!Producersarenotrequiredtoweightheirchickens–complianceiscurrentlydeterminedbyGAPfromthebreeder’spublisheddata.! SeeAppendixIforalistofbreeds/strains,theiraveragegrowthratedeterminedfromthebreeder’spublisheddata,andthemaximumstepleveltheycanthereforebeusedfor.Anyoperationwithquestionsaroundacceptablebreeds/strainsshouldcontactGAPdirectlypriortoschedulingtheiraudit.1.2.1 Themaximumaveragegrowthratemustnotexceed68grams(0.150lbs)perday. • • • 1.2.2 Themaximumaveragegrowthratemustnotexceed50grams(0.110lbs)perday. • 1.2.3 Themaximumaveragegrowthratemustnotexceed45grams(0.099lbs)perday. • 1.2.4 Themaximumaveragegrowthratemustnotexceed35grams(0.077lbs)perday. •

1.3Medication

1.3.1m

Chickensthataregivenantibiotics,ionophores,betaagonists,sulfadrugsand/orarsenic-baseddrugsareprohibitedfrombeingmarketedasStep-rated. • • • • • •! [1.3.1a]:Thisstandardapplieswhethertreatmentsaregiventherapeuticallyorsub-therapeutically.! [1.3.1b]:SeeStandard1.4.1forprompttreatmentofchickens.! [1.3.1c]:Arsenic-baseddrugsinclude,butarenotlimitedto3-Nitro®,Roxarsone,Nitarsone,ArsanilicAcid,andCarbarsone.

1.3.2 Awrittenprotocolmustbeinplacetoidentifyandensurethatanychickenstreatedwithantibiotics,ionophores,betaagonists,sulfadrugsand/orarsenic-baseddrugsarenotmarketedasStep-rated. • • • • • •

1.3.3Off-label/extra-labeluseofmedicinesisprohibitedunlessprescribedoradvisedbyaveterinarian. • • • • • •i[1.3.3a]:Veterinarianprescriptiondocumentationmaybeacquiredviaemailorfax.i[1.3.3b]:Parasiticidesincludingcoccidiostatsandvaccinesarenotincludedinthisstandard.

1.3.4 Expiredmedicationisprohibited. • • • • • •1.4Treatment1.4.1m SickorinjuredchickensmustbepromptlytreatedoreuthanizedaccordingtoSection1.5 • • • • • •

1.4.2

Recordsmustbekeptofanytreatment(medication,vaccinations,probioticsetc.)toanyindividualorgroupofchickensincluding:

a. anysubstanceadministered;b. dateandmethodofadministration;andc. flock/birdID.

• • • • • •

1.4.3 Veterinarian-prescribedtreatmentsmustbeadministeredaccordingtoveterinarianguidance. • • • • • •

1.4.4

Anyareadesignatedforsickorinjuredchickens,suchasahospitalpenordesignatedareawithinanexistingpen,mustmeetthespacerequirementsandhousingconditionsdetailedintheHOUSINGsection. • • • • • •! [1.4.4]:Sickand/orinjuredchickensmaybesegregatedfromhealthychickenswhennecessary,butitisnotrequiredifitisinthebestinterestofthebirdtokeepitwiththeflock.


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+1.4TreatmentContined1.4.5 Segregatedsickorinjuredchickensmustbemonitoredatleasttwicedaily. • • • • • • 1.4.6 Operationsmusthaveaninternalandexternalparasitecontrolprogramthatcanbeimplementedifparasitesare

impactingbirdhealthandwelfare. • • • • • • 1.4.7 Productscontainingorganophosphates,cannotbeapplieddirectlytochickens. • • • • • •

1.5On-FarmEuthanasiaiThisSectionandthemethodslistedinStandard1.5.7relatetoon-farmeuthanasia,whichGAPdefinesastheactofkillingindividualchickensinresponsetoanirrecoverableillnessorinjury.iIfemergencyslaughterofthewholeflockoralargeproportionoftheflockneedstotakeplaceduetoadiseaseoutbreak,thisSectiondoesnotrestricttheactionsofthefarmiftheconditionsorcircumstancesrequirethemtotakeactionguidedbyaveterinarianorregulatoryofficial.

1.5.1Euthanasiamustbeperformedbyatrainedpersonorveterinarian. • • • • • •! [1.5.1]:Producerswillnotberequiredtodemonstratetheabilitytoeuthanizeabirdinordertoshowcompliancewiththisstandard,buttheymustbeabletodescribethetrainingtheyreceivedwhetherexperientialorformal.

1.5.2Anybirdidentifiedasrequiringeuthanasiamustbeeuthanizedwithin4hoursofdiscovery. • • • • • •! [1.5.2]:Timelyeuthanasiaisvital.Ideallyanybirdidentifiedasrequiringeuthanasiawillbeeuthanizedimmediately;however,GAPunderstandsthatitmaytaketimeforatrainedpersonorthecorrectequipmenttogettotheoperation.

1.5.3Euthanasiatechnique(s)mustcauserapidandirreversibleinsensibilityimmediatelyfollowedbydeath. • • • • • •! [1.5.3]:Theoperationmustbeabletoarticulatetotheauditorthevisualindicatorsofdeath,andthephysicalparametersthatconfirmthis.

1.5.4 Thepersonperformingeuthanasiamustremainwiththechicken(s)untildeathisevident. • • • • • •1.5.5 Euthanasiaequipmentmustbemaintainedaccordingtomanufacturer’sspecifications. • • • • • •

1.5.6

Alleuthanized/deadchickensmustberemovedimmediatelyfromhousingand/oroutdoorareasandpastureinuse. • • • • • •! [1.5.6]:Itistheresponsibilityoftheoperationtodisposeofdeadchickensaccordingtolocal,state,provincial,territorial,and/orfederalornationalregulations.Removalcanincludeburial,orcompostinginadesignatedareasthatwillnotputchickensatriskfromtransmissionofdiseasesand/ortheattractionofpredators.


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+1.5On-FarmEuthanasiaContinued

1.5.7

Methodsofeuthanasiaarelistedbelow,whereYESindicatesanacceptablemethodandNOindicatesanunacceptablemethod.Chickensmustbeappropriatelyheldorrestrainedasnecessarytoensuretheeuthanasiamethodcanbeproperlyandsafelyadministered.METHOD ACCEPTABILITYManualcervicaldislocation(i.e.useofhandsonlytodislocatetheneckasneartotheheadorskullaspossible)

YES

Penetratingcaptiveboltpistol1 YESNon-penetratingcaptiveboltpistol1 YESElectricalstunknife1(onlypermittedifchickensarestunnedpriortocuttingtheneck) YESGasstunningandkillingsystems1using(1)multi-phasecarbondioxide2,(2)argon,(3)nitrogen,or(4)amixtureofthesegases

YES

Veterinarianadministeredoverdoseofinjectableanesthetics,includingbarbiturateandbarbituricacidderivatives

YES

Mechanicalcervicaldislocation(i.e.equipmentthatpulls/crushesthenextsuchaswringersorpoultrypliersorhandheldcervicaldislocatorssuchastheKoechnerEuthanasiaDevice).

NO

Manuallyappliedbluntforcetraumatothehead NODecapitation NOBleeding/slittingthethroatwithoutpre-stunning NODe-braining(insertingasharpimplementthroughtheroofofthechicken’smouthintoit’sbrain)

NO

Gasstunningandkillingsystemsusingcarbonmonoxide. NO1Onlypermittedifusedtothemanufacturer’sspecifications.2Mulit-phasecarbondioxidesystemsmusthaveatleasttwophaseswherethefirstphasehasalowerconcentrationofcarbondioxidetorenderthechickensunconsciousbeforehigherlevelsofcarbondioxideareintroduced.

• • • • • •

! [1.5.7a]:Ifanoperationusesamethodofeuthanasianotlistedabove,writtenapprovalfromGlobalAnimalPartnershipmustbereceivedpriortoon-farmuseinordertomeetthisStandard.! [1.5.7b]:Fatiguecanbeanissueforcaretakerswhenmultiplechickensrequireeuthanization,soGAPencouragesappropriatestaffingandtraining.


2ANIMALCAREANDMANAGEMENT

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.1DailyFlockManagement

2.1.1

Eachflockmustbeobservedandmonitoredatleasttwicedaily.Recordsofobservationandmonitoringmustbekept. • • • • • •! [2.1.1a]:Eachinspection,whethertwicedailyormore,mustberecordedtomeetthisstandard.! [2.1.1b]:Seealsostandard1.4.5fortheobservationofindividualchickensthathavebeensegregatedfromtheflock.

2.2HazardManagement

2.2.1 Equipment,fittings,openings,protrusions,housing,outdoorareas,fences,andanyotherstructuresmustbedesignedandmaintainedtopreventinjury. • • • • • •

2.2.2 Chickensmustbekeptfromcontactwithanypotentiallytoxicorinjurioussubstances(e.g.,thoseusedformaintenance,sanitation,cleaning,insectandrodentcontrol). • • • • • •

2.3ChicksandBroodingiSeealsoSection7.1

2.3.1Placementofchicksmustbeginwithin2hoursofdeliverytotheoperation. • • • • • •! [2.3.1]:Chickdeliveryboxesshouldbekeptlowtothegroundandtippedinamannerthatdoesnotcauseinjuryduringunloading.

2.3.2Housesmustbepre-warmedpriortochickarrivaltoaccommodatetheirthermalneeds. • • • • • •! [2.3.2]:Atchickheight,aminimumtemperatureof90°F(32°C)isrecommended,butchickbehaviorshouldbetheultimatedeterminantoftheirthermalcomfort.

2.4Handling

2.4.1C

Chickensmustbehandledproperlyandrespectfully. • • • • • •! [2.4.1a]:GAPhasazero-tolerancepolicytokicking,throwing,striking,punching,hittingandanyotheractionsoromissionsincarethatcouldcauseharmorinjurytochickens.! [2.4.1b]:Properandrespectfulhandlingextendstoallchickens–healthy,sick,injuredand/ordead.

2.5PhysicalAlterations

2.5.1

Allphysicalalterationsareprohibited,including,butnotlimitedto:a. beaktrimming/beakconditioning d.de-spurringb. dubbing e.toetrimming/toeclipping/de-toeing/toeconditioningc. caponization

• • • • • •


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.6ThermalComfort

2.6.1Thethermalcomfortofchickensmustbemaintainedatalltimesthroughmanagementandtheprovisionofsupplementalheatingand/orcooling,asnecessary. • • • • • •i[2.6.1]:Theauditorwillassesswhetherchickensshowsignsofthermaldiscomfortataudit

2.7FeatherPecking2.7.1 Anyevidenceoffeatherpeckingmustbepromptlyaddressedandmanaged. • • • • • •

2.7.2

Recordsofanyevidenceoffeather-peckingincidencesarerequired,including:a. dateofincidence;b. percentageofaffectedchickensperflock(injuredchickens,chickenswithfeatherloss,chickensthatdiefrom

injuriouspecking);c. actionstakentoaddresstheincidence;andd. outcomesoftheactionstakentoaddresstheincidence.

• • • • • •

! [2.7.2]:Recordsarerequiredonlyifincidence(s)occur.2.7.3 Theuseofgoggles,blinkers,contactlenses,oranyotherartificialdevicesisprohibited. • • • • • •

2.8FootpadDermatitis!SeeAppendixIIforfootpadscoring.Note:thesumsbelowarenotprevalencebutratheracalculationthataccountsforbothprevalenceandseverityofthefootpadlesions.

2.8.1m

Eachoperationmusthaveafootpaddermatitismonitoringprogram(perAppendixII)thatisconductedeitherattheslaughterfacilityORon-farm. • • • • • •! [2.8.1a]:SeeAppendixII:IdentifyingandScoringFootpadDermatitisforcharts,scoringprotocol.! [2.8.1b]:Ifchickensarescoredon-farm,thismustoccurduringthefinalweekpriortoslaughter.! [2.8.1c]:Ifscoringiscarriedoutattheslaughterfacilitythesamerepresentativesampleofbirdsmustbescoredaswouldbescoredon-farm.SeeAppendixIIforfurtherdetailsandexamples.

2.8.2

Recordsoffootpaddermatitisandthecorrespondingfootpaddermatitissumfromthemonitoringsamplemustbekeptforeachflock. • • • • • •! [2.8.2a]:SeeAppendixII:IdentifyingandScoringFootpadDermatitisforspecificationsoncalculatingtheflock’stotalfootpaddermatitissum.! [2.8.2b]:Onlyscorescollectedduringthefinalweekpriortoslaughtercanbeusedindeterminingthesumforeachflock.

2.8.3 Footpaddermatitissumsmustnotexceedanannualaveragescoreof20. • 2.8.4 Footpaddermatitissumsmustnotexceedanannualaveragescoreof15. • • 2.8.5 Footpaddermatitissumsmustnotexceedanannualaveragescoreof5. • • 2.8.6 Footpaddermatitissumsmustnotexceedanannualaveragescoreof2. •


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.8FootpadDermatitisContinued

2.8.7

Iftheincidenceoffootpaddermatitisexceedsthefootpaddermatitisscoresdetailedaboveforanyindividualflock,aninterventionplan,asdetailedinAppendixIII,thataddresses,ataminimum,feedcomposition,littermanagement,humiditycontrol,andstockingdensitymustbeimplementedimmediatelytoreducelevelsinsubsequentflocks.

• • • • • •

! [2.8.7a]:Operationsmayfinditusefultocheckfootpadsearlierinthegrowingperiod,butanychecksdonepriortoslaughterdonotreplacetherequirementsin2.8.1.! [2.8.7b]:Anannualaveragescoreisusedin2.8.3to2.8.6toaccommodateseasonalvariabilityinfootpaddermatitisscores;however,operationsarerequiredtomanageeachindividualflockthatexceedstherelevantscore.

2.9Lameness!SeeAppendixIVforlamenessevaluations.Note:thesumsbelowarenotprevalencebutratheracalculationthataccountsforbothprevalenceandseverityoflameness.

2.9.1m

Lamenessevaluationsmustbeconductedontheoperation,asdescribedinAppendixIV,duringthefinalweekpriortoslaughter. • • • • • •! [2.9.1]:SeeAppendixIV:3-CategoryLamenessEvaluationforscoringprotocol,samplesize,andspecificationoncalculatingtheflock’stotallamenesssum.

2.9.2Lamenessrecordsforeachflockandthecorrespondinglamenesssumfromthemonitoringsampleforeachflockarerequired. • • • • • •! [2.9.2]:SeeAppendixIV:3-CategoryLamenessEvaluationforspecificationsoncalculatingtheflock’stotallamenesssum.

2.9.3 Lamenessscoreforeachindividualflockmustnotexceed20. • 2.9.4 Lamenessscoreforeachindividualflockmustnotexceed15. • • 2.9.5 Lamenessscoreforeachindividualflockmustnotexceed5. • 2.9.6 Lamenessscoreforeachindividualflockmustnotexceed2. • •

2.9.7IfthelamenessevaluationconductedduringthefinalweekpriortoslaughterexceedstheStep-differentiationtotaldetailedabove,awritteninterventionplan,asdetailedinAppendixIII,isrequiredtoreducelevelsinsubsequentflocks.

• • • • • •

2.10Mortality! Flockmortalitynumbersin2.10.1–2.10.6doesnotincludepredatedchickensorculls.! Therearefourcategoriesofmortality:(a)chickensfounddeadthroughnaturalcauses,(b)chickensfounddeadthroughpredation,(c)chickensthataremissing(chickensthatarelostorsuspectedtobepredatedatdepopulation)and(d)chickensthatareculled(seeStandard1.4.1).!Thoughallcategoriesofmortalitymustberecorded,thepercentagesusedtocalculatetheflockmortalitythresholdsinStandards2.10.2to2.10.4includeonlychickensthatdiethroughnaturalcauses–point(a)above.Lossesduetopredationand/orlostormissingchickensarenotincludedinthiscalculation.!Missingbirds–point(c)above-areonlyrecordedonceforeachflock,atdepopulation2.10.1 Dailyrecordsthatseparatelyidentifychickensthatdie,areculledandarepredatedarerequiredforeachflock. • • • • • •


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+2.10MortalityContinued2.10.2 m Annualaverageflockmortalitymustnotexceed6%. • 2.10.3 Annualaverageflockmortalitymustnotexceed5%. • • 2.10.4 Annualaverageflockmortalitymustnotexceed4%. • • •2.10.5 Ifindividualflockmortalityexceedsthepercentagesaboveforanyoneflockthroughouttheyear,awritten

interventionplan,asdetailedinAppendixIII,isrequiredtoreducelevelsintheexistingandsubsequentflocks. • • • • • •2.11Culling

2.11.1

Anychickensmeetingthefollowingcriteriamustbeculledaccordingtoacceptableeuthanasiamethodsandrecorded:a. runtsb. exhibitingalamenessscoreof2c. sickorinjuredwithoutchanceforrecovery(forexamplesickorinjuredsuchthatthechickenisunabletoreach

foodandwater)

• • • • • •

! [2.11.1]:SeeAppendixIV:3-CategoryLamenessEvaluationfordetailsonscoringlameness,andSection1.5foreuthanasiarequirements.2.12OtherCommerciallyRaisedAnimalsontheOperation

2.12.1Allspeciesofanimalsraisedcommerciallyontheoperation(forwhich5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsexist)mustberaisedandhandledaccordingtoStep1standardsorhigher. • •i[2.12.1]Animalskeptaspets,showanimalsorothernon-commercialsituationsareexcludedfromthisstandard.

2.13DomesticAnimalsontheOperation!Domesticanimalsincludedogs,cats,horses,oranyotheranimalsontheoperation,includingbothpetsorworkinganimals.2.13.1 Neglectorabuseofdomesticanimalsisprohibited. • • • • • •

2.13.2

Alldomesticanimalsontheoperationmustbeprovidedwith:a. foodandwateronadailybasis,asevidencedbyhealthybodyconditionscore;b. surroundingsthatdonotcausetheminjury;c. anenvironmentthatallowsforfreedomofmovementandexercise;d. acomfortablerestingareathatprovidesprotectionfromtemperatureextremes;ande. veterinaryattentionifrequired.

• •


3FEEDANDWATER

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+3.1WaterAvailability

3.1.1mAllchickensmusthavecontinuousaccesstodrinkingwater. • • • • • •! [3.1.1]:Watermaybewithheldforupto2hoursforthepurposesofthendeliveringsupplementsand/ormedicationsuchasvaccine(s)inwater.

3.1.2Waterersmustbecheckeddailyandanydebriscleanedout. • • • • • •! [3.1.2]:Cleaningoutdebriscouldincluderemovalofdirtorwastematterfrombellorpanwaterersorflushingnipplelines(asrequired).

3.2FeedingRequirements3.2.1m Allchickensmusthavead-libitumaccesstofeedduringdaylighthours. • • • • • •3.2.2 Feedersmustbedesignedanddistributedtoallowchickenstoeatwithoutrestriction. • • • • • •3.2.3 Chickensfedwholegrainsand/orgivenpastureaccessmustbeprovidedwithinsolublegrit. • • • • • •

3.3FeedHygiene

3.3.1 Feedinstoragebinsandfeedersmustnotbemoldyormildewed,contaminatedbyrodents,orotherwisecompromisedinquality. • • • • • •

3.3.2 Feedersmustbefreeofdebris. • • • • • •3.4AdditivesandIngredientsinFeedorWater

3.4.1mMammalianby-productsareprohibited. • • • • • •! [3.4.1]:By-productsincludeanimalwasteandproductsderivedfromslaughter/harvestprocess(seeglossary).

3.4.2mAvianby-products,includingeggs,areprohibited. • • • • • •! [3.4.2]:By-productsincludeanimalwasteandproductsderivedfromslaughter/harvestprocess(seeglossary).

3.4.3mFishandfishby-productsareprohibited. • • • • • •! [3.4.3]:Thisincludeswholefish,partsoffish,fishmeal,fishby-productsfromtheprocessingindustryandotheraquaticspeciesand/orproducts(doesnotincludeseaweedoroystershell).

3.4.4 Eachoperationmustkeepup-to-datefeedrationingredientlists,ortags,includingmineral/vitaminmixeswhetherusingpurchasedorhomemixedfeed.Listsandtagsneedtobemadeavailabletotheauditor. • • • • • •

! [3.4.4]:Iftheoperationispartofanaffiliatedgroupwhichdeterminesthefeedrationthegroupcanprovidetheauditorwiththispotentiallyconfidentialandproprietaryinformation.


4HOUSING

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.1HousingSystems!Movablepens/coops/hutswithoutfloors(alsocommonlyknownastractorsandarks)thatconfinechickensandonlyallowthemtorangewithintheunitcanonlyachieveStep2.

4.1.1C

Allcagesystemsareprohibited. • • • • • •! [4.1.1]:Acageisafullyenclosedstructuremadeofmesh,bars,orwiresthatpreventsfullrangeofmotionandtheabilitytoexpressnaturalbehavior,suchasroosting,foraging,andexercising(e.g.,batterycage,cagedbroilersystems).Cagesdonotincludefenced-inporchesandoutdoorenclosuresprovidedtheyallowforfullrangeofmotionandtheabilitytoexpressnaturalbehavior.Transportcontainersarealsoexcludedfromthedefinitionofcages.Thisstandarddoesnotprecludetheuseofnettedmobile/moveablecoopsystems,howeverthesesystemscanonlyachieveStep2

4.1.2 Groupsizemustnotexceed2000chickens. • • ! [4.1.2]:Agroupisdefinedasanumberofchickensassociatedwitheitheri)amobilehouse;ii)asingleflockinastationaryhouse;oriii)a

subdivisionofchickenswithinalargerstationaryhouse.4.2AccesstoHousing

4.2.1 Allchickensmusthavecontinuousaccesstohousing,whethermobileorpermanent,thatprovidesprotectionfromtheelementsandpredation. • • • • • •

4.3LitterandFlooring

4.3.1 Floorsofallhouses,includingmobilehousesthatarestationaryformorethan3days,mustbecoveredwithaminimumtotalof3in(7.6cm)ofnon-toxiclitter. • • • • • •

4.3.2Littermustbemanagedsoitisfriableandnomorethan10%ofthelitteredareaiscaked. • • • • • •! [4.3.2]:Cakedlitterareasdirectlyunderfeedandwaterlinesareincludedinthe10%allowablecakedarea.

4.3.3Iflitterisnotcompletelyremoved(i.e.cleanedout)betweenflocks,allcakedlittermustberemovedbetweenflocks,andtopdressedasnecessarysothattheentireflooriscoveredtoatotalminimumlitterdepthof3in(7.6cm).

• • • • • •

4.3.4Littermustbeofqualityandquantityto:a. provideacomfortableenvironmentb. allowfordust-bathingbehavior.

• • • • • •

4.3.5

ASoiledFeatherAssessment(seeAppendixV)mustbeconductedforeachflockbetween15-20daysofage.Recordsmustbekept. • • • • • •! [4.3.5]:Atthetimeofaudit,auditorswillperformanassessmentofsoiledfeathersasanadditionalindicatoroflitterconditions.SeeAppendixV:SoiledFeatherAssessment.

4.3.6ALitterQualityAssessment(seeAppendixVI)mustbeconductedforeachflockbetween15-20daysofage.Recordsmustbekept. • • • • • •! [4.3.6]:Atthetimeofaudit,auditorswilladditionallyperformaLitterQualityAssessment.


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.3LitterandFlooringContinued

4.3.7

IftheassessmentdetailedinStandard4.3.5showsthatmorethan10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiledORthelitterscoredetailedinStandard4.3.6ismorethan1,awritteninterventionplan,asdetailedinAppendixIII,designedtoimprovelitterqualityandensurethatfeathersoilingdoesnotdeterioratefurthermustbeimplementedthatsameday.

• • • • • •

! [4.3.7]:Litterqualityandfeathercleanlinessarelinked,thereforeifeitherorbothmeasuresareoutsidethelimitssetbythisstandardaninterventionplantoremediatethesituationmustbeputintoplace.

4.3.8Iftheassessmentsdetailedinstandards4.3.5and4.3.6showthatmorethan10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiledORthelitterscoreismorethan1,anadditionalSoiledFeatherAssessmentmustbeconductedforthesameflockaweekpriortoslaughter.

• • • • • •

4.3.9Iftheassessmentsdetailedinstandards4.3.5and4.3.6showthatmorethan10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiledORthelitterscoreismorethan1,anadditionalLitterQualityAssessmentmustbeconductedforthesameflockaweekpriortoslaughter.

• • • • • •

4.3.10m Slattedand/orwirefloorsareprohibited. • • • • • •

4.4AirQuality!SeeAppendixVI:SensoryEvaluationofAirQualityprotocol.

4.4.1Ifchickensareshutinhousingorstructuresforanypartoftheday,airqualitymustbeassessedatleastonceeachday,usingcalibratedmetersortestingstrips,orsensoryevaluationandrecordskept. • • • • • •i[4.4.1]:Forsystemswherechickenshaveaccesstotheoutdoors/pastureairqualitymustbeassessedbeforepopholesareopened.

4.4.2

Airqualitymeasuresmustnotexceedthefollowinglevelswhencalibratedmetersortestingstripsareused:a. dust:10mgpercubicmeter;b. ammonia:20ppm

ORscoremorethan1ontheairqualityscaleinAppendixVI.

• • • • • •

4.4.3 IfairqualityisfoundtoexceedthelevelsinStandard4.4.2,awritteninterventionplan,asdetailedinAppendixIII,designedtoimproveairqualitymustbeimplementedthatsameday. • • • • • •

4.5Lighting

4.5.1Lightintensityinhousingduringdaylighthours,eitherfromartificialornaturallightoracombinationofartificialandnaturallight,mustbeatleast50lux(4.6footcandles). • • • • • •! [4.5.1]:OperationsthatmeetStandards4.5.2and4.5.5(ifapplicable),donotadditionallyhavetomeetthisstandard.

4.5.2

By1January2022,alloperationswithchickenshousedcontinuously,seasonally,orduringbrooding,mustbeprovidedwithnaturallightthroughinsulatedwindowsorsemi-transparentroofingplacedevenlythroughoutbarns/housessothatthecombinedareathroughwhichnaturallightentersisequalorgreaterthan1%ofthetotalfloorspace.

• • • • •

! [4.5.2]:Operationsutilizingcurtainbarnsmeetthisstandardprovidingthecurtainareaisequalorgreaterthan1%ofthetotalfloorspace.See


alsoStandard4.5.4.


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.5LightingContinued4.5.3 By30September2018,operationsmusthaveawrittentransitionplandetailingthechangestheywillmaketo

meetStandard4.5.2by1January2022. • • • • •

4.5.4From1October2018,certifiedoperationsmuststarttoimplementtheplandetailedinStandard4.5.3andbeginthealterationsnecessarytotransitionbarnstomeetStandard4.5.2 • • • • •! [4.5.4]:Itisrecommendedthatalloperationsstartworktotransitionbarnstoprovidenaturallightassoonaspossible..

4.5.5

By1January2022,whencurtainbarnsareusedtohousechickenstheremustbeamethodofprovidingnaturallighttomeettherequirementofStandard4.5.2ifthecurtainsblockthelightcompletelywhentheyareclosed. • • • • •! [4.5.5a]:Thiscouldbethroughhavingwindowsintheroofofthecurtainbarn,areasofsemi-transparentroofingoruseoftranslucentcurtains.! [4.5.5b]:Additionalnaturallightneednotbeprovidedifcurtainsareclosedfornomorethansevenconsecutivedaysperflockforthepurposesofacclimatizingbirdstocoldweatherinthewinter.

4.5.6mByday3afterplacement(exceptwhenraisedundernaturallightingconditionsanddarkperiodsareshorter),chickensmustbeprovideddailywithatleast8hoursofcontinuouslightandatleast6hoursofcontinuousdarkness(<1lux)throughouttheirlives.

• •

4.5.7Byday3afterplacement(exceptwhenraisedundernaturallightingconditionsanddarkperiodsareshorter),chickensmustbeprovideddailywithatleast8hoursofcontinuouslightandatleast8hoursofcontinuousdarkness(<1lux)throughouttheirlives.

• •

4.5.8 Fromplacement(exceptwhenraisedundernaturallightingconditionsanddarkperiodsareshorter),chickensmustbeprovidedwithadailyminimumof8hoursofcontinuousdarknessthroughouttheirlives. • •

4.6StockingDensity!Stockingdensityiscalculatedbasedonthefinaltargetweightofallchickensperflockperareaatthetimeofcatching.Operationscanutilizeamaximumof2%variation,ratherthanexpectedlivability,whencalculatingthenumberofchickenstobeplacedwithinagivenbarn/house.4.6.1 Chickensmusthaveenoughspacetoexpressnaturalbehavior,includingstanding,turningaround,andpreening,

withouttouchinganotherchicken. • • • • • •

4.6.2 m

Forbirdsplacedfrom1January2018to30June2020,stockingdensitymustnotexceed6.5lb/ft2(32kg/m2) • • Forbirdsplacedfrom1July2020onwards,stockingdensitymustnotexceed6lb/ft2(29kg/m2) • • ! [4.6.2a]:GAPrecognizesthatStep1and2operationsneedtimetoadjustbirdnumbers,eggsetsandpotentiallybuildnewhousinginordertomeetthestockingdensityrequiredfrom1July2020onwards.! [4.6.2b]:OperationsshouldusethetimeallottedtomakeprogresstowardsmeetingthelowerstockingdensityacrossalltheirStep1andStep2housing.

4.6.3 Stockingdensitymustnotexceed6lb/ft2(29kg/m2) •


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.6StockingDensityContinued

4.6.4

Stockingdensitymustnotexceed5.5lb/ft2(27kg/m2) • • •! [4.6.4a]:Thisstockingdensityonlyappliesifchickensareconfinedinhousingwithoutaccesstotheoutdoors.! [4.6.4b]:Ifconfinementoftheflockneedstotakeplaceduetoadiseaseoutbreak,thisStandarddoesnotrestricttheactionsofthefarmiftheconditionsorcircumstancesrequirethemtotakeactionguidedbyaveterinarianorregulatoryofficial.

4.7Perches

4.7.1

Perchesmustbeprovidedwhereverbirdsroost–whetherthisisinthehousingstructureoroutsideonpasture-ataminimumof7in(18cm)ofperchspaceperbirdtoenableallchickenstoperchsimultaneously. • •! [4.7.1]:Perchesaretobeelevatedoffthefloor,beeasilyusedbythechickens,andpositionedatheightstoallowforusebychickensfromanearlyagethroughouttheirlives.

4.7.2 Perchesmustbeprovidedby4weeksofage. • •4.8EnvironmentalEnrichments!Anenrichmentisanadditiontothechicken’senvironmentthatencouragestheexpressionofnaturalbehaviorsuchasforaging,withoutlosingtheirnovelty.Examplesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,balesofstraworhay,raisedplatformsandperches,provisionofforagesorbrassicas,andscatteredgrains.Dust-baths,andlitterarenotconsideredenrichments.Itemsthatquicklylosetheirnoveltyand/orgounusedbythechickens,suchaspipesandPVCtubing,arenotconsideredacceptableenrichments.! Examplesofenrichmentsthatqualifyforthissection(andthosethatdonot)areshowninAppendixVII.ThisAppendixoutlinesthatoneenrichmentisdefinedaseitheroneitemfromSectionA;2itemsfromSectionB;or3itemsfromSectionC.!ForStep4chickens,thestandardsinthisSectionapplyifchickensneedtoberemovedfrompastureduringthewintermonths.!AschickensraisedinStep5andStep5+systemsmayonlybehousedatnightandduringextremeweatherconditions,indoorenrichmentsarenotapplicable.4.8.1 Indoorenrichmentsmustbeprovidedbythetimethechicksare10daysold. • • • • 4.8.2 Indoorenrichmentsmustbemaintainedthroughoutthelifeofthechickens. • • • • 4.8.3 Theindoorenvironmentmustcontainatleast1typeofenrichment(SeeAppendixVII)thatisusedbythechickens. • 4.8.4 Theindoorenvironmentmustcontainatleast2differenttypesofenrichments(SeeAppendixVII)thatareusedby

thechickens. • • •

4.8.5mForevery1,000ft2(93m2),orpart1000ft2(93m2)ofindoorspacetheremustbeaminimumof1enrichment. • i [4.8.5]:Forexampleforahousethatis1200ft2twoenrichmentsmustbeprovided,forahousethatis1400ft2twoenrichmentswouldberequiredandforahousethatis2000ft2threeenrichmentswouldberequired.

4.8.6Forevery750ft2(70m2),orpart750ft2(70m2)ofindoorspace,theremustbeaminimumof1enrichment. • • i [4.8.6]:Forexampleforahousethatis1500ft2twoenrichmentsmustbeprovided,forahousethatis1800ft2threeenrichmentswouldberequiredandforahousethatis3000ft2fourenrichmentswouldberequired.


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+4.8EnvironmentalEnrichmentsContinued

4.8.7Forevery500ft2(46m2),orpart500ft2(46m2)ofindoorspace,theremustbeaminimumof1enrichment. • i [4.8.7]:Forexampleforahousethatis1000ft2twoenrichmentsmustbeprovided,forahousethatis1600ft2fourenrichmentswouldberequiredandforahousethatis2200ft2fiveenrichmentswouldberequired.

4.8.8 Forhousesthataresmallerthan1,000ft2(93m2),theremustbeaminimumof2enrichments. •

4.8.9Forhousesthataresmallerthan1,000ft2(93m2),theremustbeaminimumof2differenttypesofenrichments. • • • ! [4.8.9]:Thisstandardwillnotbemetbyprovidingtwoenrichmentsofthesametype–e.g.haybalesandstrawbales.

4.8.10 Indoorenrichmentsmustbedistributedthroughoutthehouse. • • • •


5OUTDOORCONDITIONS! Outdooraccessisdefinedasanoutdoorareasuchasadrylot,concretepad,orpasture,butdoesnothavetobepasture.! Pastureincludesaccesstorangeland,grassland,plantedpastures,managedpastures,woodedareas,andanyotherareaswherechickenshaveaccesstovegetation.! Pasturesshouldberested,andallowedtoregeneratebetweengroups.

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+5.1Outdoorand/orPastureAccess!Operationsarestronglyencouragedtoprovidechickensaccesstotheoutdoorsfromtheyoungestagepossibleandforasmuchoftheirlivesaspossible.

5.1.1mAllchickensfrom4weeksofagemustbegivencontinuousoutdooraccessduringdaylighthoursunlessclimaticconditionsposeawelfarerisk. • ! [5.1.1]:ChickensinStep3systemshaveseasonaloutdooraccess.

5.1.2

Allchickensfrom4weeksofagemustbegivencontinuousaccesstopastureduringdaylighthours.Ifclimaticconditionsposeawelfareriskthenchickenscanberemovedfrompasturebutmustbegivencontinuousaccesstoanoutdoorareaduringdaylighthours.

•

! [5.1.2]:SeeSection5.2forrequirementsforpastureandoutdoorareas.

5.1.3

Allchickensfrom4weeksofagemustbegivencontinuousaccesstotheoutdoorsduringdaylighthoursexceptduringextremeweatherconditions,ifthisdoesnotexceed5consecutivedaysand25daysthroughoutthecalendaryear.Seasonalhousingduetoinclementclimaticconditionsisprohibited.

• •

! [5.1.3]:ChickensinStep5andStep5+systemsmayonlybehousedduringextremeweatherconditions(e.g.non-typicalweatherfortheseasonsuchaslargeswingsintemperatureorheavyprecipitation,tornadoes,hurricanes,monsoons,blizzards,floods)thatjeopardizetheirwelfare.

5.1.4

Thefollowingrecordsarerequired:a. datechickensarefirstgivenoutdoororpastureaccess;b. anydaythatoutdoororpastureaccessisdenied;andc. reasonsforanydenialofoutdoororpastureaccess.

• • • •

5.1.5Anychickensslaughteredbefore28daysofagemusthaveaccesstotheoutdoorsduringdaylighthoursforaminimumof2weeks. • • • •! [5.1.5]:Seestandard5.1.4forrecordrequirements.

5.1.6

Openingsfromthehouse,whetherstationaryormobile,mustallowchickensfreeaccesstotheoutdoorsduringdaylighthours. • • • •! [5.1.6]:Ashousesareconstructedinavarietyofdesignsanddimensions,thisstandarddoesnotdesignateaminimumnumberofaccesspointsorthedimensionsofeachopening.Rather,itrequiresthathousesbeconstructedwithsufficiententry/exitpointssothatchickensarereadilyabletoaccesstheoutdoors.Ahousemayhaveseveralsmalleropeningsspacedalongoneormorewalls(e.g.,popholes)orasinglelargeopening(e.g.,adoororwallsegment).


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+5.2Vegetationandforagingmaterials!Thereisnosetsquarefootageforpasturespaceperbird(seeSection5.3forspacerequirementsforoutdoorareas),butoperationsmustprovidesufficientspacesuchthatthevegetativecoverconditionsinSection5.2canbemetthroughoutthelifeoftheflock.TheactualareaperchickenthatisrequiredtomeettherequirementsofSection5.2throughoutthelifeoftheflockwilldependontheregionand/orclimatewherethechickensarekept.

5.2.1mAtleast25%ofeachoccupiedoutdoorareamustbecoveredwithvegetationand/orforage. • ! [5.2.1]:Thisstandardcanbemetbyplacingcutorharvestedvegetationand/orforages,suchasalfalfahay,intheoutdoorarea).Littercannotbeusedasaforagingmaterialforthisstandard.

5.2.2Within200ft(61m)fromthehouse,atleast50%ofeachoccupiedpastureareamustbecoveredwithvegetationand/orforageaccessibleatchickenheightthroughoutthelifeoftheflock. • ! [5.2.2]:SeeAppendixVIIIforadefinitionandillustrationof“atchickenheight”

5.2.3Within200ft(61m)fromthehouse,atleast75%ofeachoccupiedpastureareamustbecoveredwithvegetationand/orforageaccessibleatchickenheightthroughoutthelifeoftheflock • •! [5.2.3]:SeeAppendixVIIIforadefinitionandillustrationof“atchickenheight”.

5.2.4NomorethanhalfofthevegetationrequiredbyStandard5.2.2(25%ofthetotalpasturearea)canbecutorharvestedvegetationand/orforagessuchasalfalfahay. • ! [5.2.4]:Littercannotbeusedasaforagingmaterialforthisstandard.

5.2.5 TherequirementsofStandard5.2.3mustbemetbygrowingvegetationandcannotbemetbyplacingcutorharvestedvegetationand/orforagesinthepasturearea. • •

5.2.6 Denudedareascannotextendmorethan10ft(3m)fromthehouse. • •5.2.7 Ifstationaryhousingisused,theremustbeatleast2pastureareasaccessibletothechickens,suchthatonecanbe

restedwhiletheotherisinuse. • •

5.2.8Ifchickensareremovedfrompastureduringwintermonths,theoutdoorareamustincludematerialsthatencourageforagingbehavior. • ! [5.2.4]:Materialsthatencourageforagingbehaviorinclude,butarenotlimitedto,wholegrains,hayandstraw.

5.3SpaceRequirementsforOutdoorAreas5.3.1 Theoutdoorareamustbeequaltoorgreaterthan75%ofthetotalindoorfloorspaceofthehouse. •

5.3.2 Whenremovedfrompastureduringwintermonths,theoutdoorareamustbeequaltoorgreaterthan100%ofthetotalindoorfloorspaceofthehouse. •


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+5.4ProvisionstoEncourageChickenstoUseOutdoorandPastureAreas!Ifchickensfeelsafetheyaremorelikelytogooutsideandusethepastureoroutdoorarea.ProvisionstoachievethisarelistedinAppendixIX!Thehouse,whetherstationaryormobile,andanyporches,verandahsandsimilarstructuresattachedtothehousedonotqualifyasmeetingtherequirementsofthissection.

5.4.1m

Eachoccupiedoutdoorand/orpastureareamustcontainfeaturesthatencouragethechickenstorange. • • • •! [5.4.1]:Examplesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,bushes,shrubs,shadecloth,A-framestructures,andperches.Thehouse,whetherstationaryormobile,andanystructuresattachedtothehousedonotqualifyasmeetingtherequirementofthisstandard.Theprovisionsshouldbedispersedthroughouttheoutdoorareatoencourageroamingandforaging.

5.4.2 Provisionsmustbedistributedinawaythatencourageschickenstorange,andmuststartwithin15ft.(4.5m)ofthehouse. • • • •

5.4.3

Forbirdsplacedfrom1January2018to31December2023provisionsthatencouragechickenstorangemustprovideacumulativetotalof:atleast8ft2(0.75m2)ofcoverforevery250chickensintheflock. • • Forbirdsplacedfrom1January2024onwardsprovisionsthatencouragechickenstorangemustprovideacumulativetotalof:atleast8ft2(0.75m2)ofcoverforevery100chickensintheflock. • • ! [5.4.3a]:GAPrecognizesthatoperationsneedtimetoprovideprovisionsinoutdoorareasandpasture,particularlyifanincreaseinnaturalshelter(shrubs,bushes,trees)isintendedtomeetthe2024requirements.Operationsshouldusethetimeallottedtomakeprogresstowardsmeetingtherequirementsofthe2024standard–i.e.plantingtrees/shrubsnowsotheywillprovidetherequiredcover.! [5.4.3b]:Therequirementsofthisstandardrelatetothetotalnumberofbirdsintheflock,notthenumberofbirdsthatareusingtheoutdoororpastureareaatanyonetime.! [5.4.3c]:PleaseseethenotetoStandard5.4.1.Thehouseandanystructuresattachedtoitcannotbecountedfortherequirementsofthisstandard.

5.4.4

Provisionsthatencouragechickenstorangemustprovideacumulativetotalof:atleast8ft2(0.75m2)ofcoverforevery100chickens. • •! [5.4.4a]:Therequirementsofthisstandardrelatetothetotalnumberofbirdsintheflock,notthenumberofbirdsthatareusingtheoutdoororpastureareaatanyonetime.! [5.4.4b]:PleaseseethenotetoStandard5.4.1.Thehouseandanystructuresattachedtoitcannotbecountedfortherequirementsofthisstandard.


6LOADING!TransportationcompaniesthatarecurrentlyPoultryHandlingandTransportQualityAssuranceCertifiedareautomaticallyincompliancewithSection6.3

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+6.1ConditionofChickens6.1.1m Transportingunhealthy,non-ambulatory,orinjuredchickensisprohibited. • • • • • •

6.1.2Allunhealthy,non-ambulatory,injured,orsmallchickens(runts)whoarenotloadedforslaughtermustbeeuthanizedthesamedaythatchickensfromthesameflockaretransportedorslaughteredon-site. • • • • • •! [6.1.2]:SeeSection1.5foreuthanasiarequirements.

6.2WaterandFeedWithdrawal

6.2.1Allchickensmusthavecontinuousaccesstodrinkingwater:a. untilloadingbeginsifwaterlinesdonotneedtobeelevatedpriortocatchingandloadingb. until1hourbeforeloadingbeginsifwaterlinesmustbeelevatedpriortocatchingandloading.

• • • • • •

6.2.2 Feedmustnotbewithheldformorethan12hourspriortoslaughter. • • • • • •6.3CatchingandLoading6.3.1m Lightsmustbedimmedthroughoutthecatchingandloadingprocess. • • • • • •6.3.2 Chickensmustbecaughtcalmlytominimizestressandriskofinjury. • • • • • •6.3.3 Kicking,throwing,striking,punching,hitting,orotherwisecausinginjurytochickensisprohibited. • • • • • •6.3.4m Chickensmustneverbeliftedorcarriedbythehead,neck,oneorbothwings,ortail. • • • • • •

! [6.3.4]:GlobalAnimalPartnershipdiscouragesthecarryingofchickensbyasinglelegandurgesindustrytomoveawayfromthispractice.6.3.5 Catchersareprohibitedfromcarryingmorethan4chickensperhand • • • •

6.3.6Catchersareprohibitedfrom:

a. carryingmorethan2chickensperhandb. carryingchickensbyasingleleg.

•

6.3.7 Eachchickenmustbecaughtbythebodywithbothhandsandcarriedupright. •

6.3.8

Mechanicalloadersandconveyorbeltsarepermittedforcatchingandloadingchickensintocontainersonlyiftheyare:a. well-maintainedb. well-managedc. donotcauseharmtothechickens.

• • • • • •

! [6.3.8]:IfoperationsatStep5+areusingmechanicalloadersthisstandardsupersedesStandard6.3.7.6.3.9 Chickensmustbeloadedintotransportcontainerswithoutcausinginjury. • • • • • •


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+6.4TransportContainersforChickens

6.4.1Containers,whethermodules,coops,drawers,orother,mustbeincleanandsoundoperationalcondition,andofadesignthatdoesnotcauseinjurytothechickens. • • • • • •! [6.3.8]:Acontainerdoesnotnecessarilyhavetobewashedinorderforittobeclean.

6.4.2 m Thinwirefloorsareprohibited. • • • • • •6.4.3 Allchickensmustbeabletositonthefloorofthecontaineratthesametime. • • • • • •6.4.4 Containersmustbeofadequateheighttoallowthechickenstomovetheirheadsfreelywhilesitting. • • • • • •


7TRANSPORT! ThestandardsinthisSectionapplytoanytransportofchickensonto,within,oroffoftheoperation.StandardsfortransportcontainerscanbefoundintheLOADINGsection.

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+7.1TransportofChicks!SeealsoSection2.37.1.1 Arecordofthetotalnumberofchicksreceivedfromthehatcheryforeachflockisrequired. • • • • • •7.1.2 Arecordofthetotalnumberofdead-on-arrivals(DOAs)foreachflockisrequired. • • • • • •7.1.3 Mortalityduringtransportmustnotexceed0.5%pershipment. • • • • • •7.1.4 Thethermalcomfortofchicksmustbemaintainedatalltimesthroughmanagementandtheprovisionof

supplementalheatingand/orcooling,asnecessary. • • • • • •7.1.5 Eachchickmustbeprovidedaminimumof4in2(25.8cm2)floorspacewithinthedeliverybox. • • • • • •7.1.6m Eachdeliveryboxmustbedesignedwithholesforventilation. • • • • • •7.1.7 Eachdeliveryboxmustcontainanew,absorbentfloorpadorbeconstructedinsuchawaythatchicksstaydryand

donotslip. • • • • • •7.1.8 Eachdeliveryboxmustbeprominentlylabeled“LIVECHICKENS.” • • • • • •

7.1.9Chicksmustbedeliveredtotheoperationwithin48hoursofremovalfromthehatcher. • • • • • •! [7.1.9]:Thepurposeofthisstandardistoensurechicksgetfeedandwaterbeforetheresourcesfromtheiryolksacrunout.HatcheriesthatusetheHatchTechsystemandprovidefoodandwaterimmediatelyonhatchingdonothavetomeetthisrequirement.

7.1.10

Documentationofeachshipmentofchicksfromthehatcheryisrequiredthatincludes:a. timechickswereremovedfromthehatcher;b. timeofarrivalontotheoperationapplyingforcertificationtothisstandard;c. timeofplacement.

• • • • • •

7.2EquipmentandVehiclesforChickens7.2.1 Equipment(e.g.,atrailer)andvehiclesmustbemanagedtoprovideforthethermalcomfortofchickensatalltimes. • • • • • •7.2.2 Ifequipment(e.g.,atrailer)orvehicleshaveopensidesortops,theymusthavecover(s)thatcanbefittedsecurely

andadjustedasnecessarytoprotectchickensfrominclementweather. • • • • • •7.3TransportPersonnelResponsibilitiesandProcedures

7.3.1 Aclear,writtenproceduremustbemadeavailabletotheauditorand/orcertificationcompanythatincludesactionsandcontactinformationforthedrivertofollowincaseofaccidentoremergency. • • • • • •

7.3.2 Thedrivermustbeknowledgeableinallofhisorherresponsibilitiesandtransportprotocols,includingthoseinthecaseofaccidentoremergencyasperstandard7.3.1. • • • • • •


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+7.3TransportPersonnelResponsibilitiesandProcedurescontinued

7.3.3 Ifthevehicleistransportingchickensfrommorethanoneoperationand/orsource,eachdifferentgroupofchickensmustbesegregatedinidentifiablecontainers. • • • • • •

7.3.4 Ifchickensaretransportedormovedwithotherspeciesonthesamevehicle,theymustbeplacedinseparatecompartments. • • • • • •

7.4TransportDurationforChickens!Durationofanytransportiscalculatedforeachvehicleortrailerandbeginswhenthefirstchickenisloadedintothecontainerandendswhenthevehicleortrailerarrivesatitsdestinationundernormal/typicaldrivingconditionsforthatregion.Inthereviewoftransportdurationrecords,thecertifierwilltakeintoaccountcasesofunexpectedinclementweather,vehicleaccidentsormalfunction,orotherunforeseencircumstancesthatresultinadelay.SeeSection7.5forrecordsrequirements.7.4.1m Transportdurationmustnotexceed6hours • • • • •

7.4.2

Chickensmustremainontheoperationatalltimesthroughslaughter,whetherslaughteredinanon-sitefacilityoramobileunit. •! [7.4.2a.]:ChickensraisedinStep5+systemscanonlybemovedtoon-siteormobileslaughter.! [7.4.2b.]:Step5+chickenscanbecratedformovementtotheon-siteormobileslaughterfacility.! [7.4.2c.]:Chickenscanonlybetransportedormovedofftheoperationincasesofveterinaryemergencyorextremeweatherconditionsposingimmediaterisktotheirsurvival.Transportormovementofftheoperationforeitherofthesetworeasonswillnotresultinnon-compliancewiththestandard.

7.5TransportRecords

7.5.1

Thefollowingrecordsarerequiredforeachvehicletransportingchickens:a. dateoftransport;b. startingtimeforcatchingandloadingchickensintoeachtruck;c. arrivaltimeatslaughterfacility;d. reasonsforanystopsordelaysenroute;ande. numberofchickenstransportedfromtheoperation.

• • • • •

7.5.2 Separatetransportdocumentation,whetherabilloflading,deliverynote,orother,isrequiredforeachoperationifthevehicleisscheduledtopickupchickensfrommorethanoneoperation. • • • • •

7.5.3

Thefollowingrecordsarerequiredforallchickensslaughteredonsite:a. dateoftransport;b. startingandendingtimesforcatchingandloadingchickens;c. arrivaltimeattheplacewherechickenswillbeslaughtered;andd. numberofchickensmovedandslaughteredon-site.

•


8RODENT,WILDBIRD,ANDPREDATORCONTROL

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+8.1RodentControl!ThestandardsinthisSectionareapplicabletoanyrodentcontrolefforts,whethercontractedornot.

8.1.1Goodsanitationmustbethefirstlevelofrodentcontrol. • • • • • •! [8.1.1]:Goodsanitationincludesexclusionofrodentsfrombuildings,bays,orbinswherechickensliveandwheregrainorotherfeedsarestored;clearupofspillsoffeed;andmanagementoftrashtoreduceattractingorharboringrodents.

8.1.2

Ifgoodsanitationisineffectiveanintegratedrodentcontrolprogrammustbeimplemented.Thisprogrammustinclude:

a. methodsofcontrolthatonlytargetrodents;b. anassessmentofdifferentmethodsoflethalcontrolthatarecommerciallyavailable;c. iftrapsareusedtheymustbespeciesspecific,appropriatelylocated,andmustbedesignedtocauserapid

death;d. licensedrodenticidesareonlyusedinareaswheretrapswillbeineffective(trapsaremosteffectivein

enclosedspacesandrodentpathways)ORwhenmonitoringisrequired,forexampleaspartofsalmonellareductionprotocols.

• • • • • •

! [8.1.2]:Glueboards,drowning,anddrowningtrapsdonotmeettheaboverequirements.8.1.3 Multiplecatchtraps(e.g.tincats)usedformonitoringrodentpopulationsmustbebaitedwithrodenticide. • • • •

8.2WildBirdControl

8.2.1 Wildbirdsmustbeexcludedfromhousing. • • • ! [8.2.1]:ThisStandardonlyappliestoStep3operationswhenchickensareexcludedfromoutdoorareasasdescribedbyStandard5.1.1

8.3PredatorControl!ThestandardsinthisSectionareapplicabletoanypredatorcontrolefforts,whethercontractedornot.!Controlofpredatorsmustnotviolateanylocal,state,provincial,territorial,federal,national,orotherlaws.!NotethatcertainmammalsandavianspeciesoftheordersFalconiformes,Accipitriformes,StrigiformesandCathartiformesarestrictlyprotectedandanyexceptionsrequireapprovalbyrelevantwildlifepermittingauthorities.8.3.1 Whenpredatorsareconsideredtobeaproblem,eachoperationmusthaveapredatorcontrolprograminplace. • • • • • •8.3.2 Non-lethalmethodsofpredatorexclusionfromhousingandoccupiedoutdoorandpastureareasmustbethefirst

levelofcontrol. • • • • • •

8.3.3 Ifnon-lethalmethodsareineffectiveandchickensareatrisk,shootingistheonlymethodoflethalcontrolallowed,andisonlyallowediftheshooterisskilled,andtheshotkillsimmediately. • • • • • •

8.3.4m Poisons,drowning,allsnares,legholdtrapsandalltrapsotherthanlivetrapsareprohibited. • • • • • •

8.3.5Anylivetrapsmustbecheckedatleastoncedailyandacteduponwithin24hours. • • • • ! [8.3.5]:Livetraps,alsoknownashumanetraps,cannotcontainpoisonormaim,orinanyotherwayresultinlethalcontrol.


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+8.3PredatorControlContinued

8.3.6Anylivetrapsmustbecheckedatleasttwicedailyandacteduponwithin24hours. • •! [8.3.6]:Livetraps,alsoknownashumanetraps,cannotcontainpoisonormaim,inanyotherwayresultinlethalcontrol.

8.4GuardianAnimals

8.4.1

Guardiananimals,ifused,mustbe:a. welltrained;b. capableofdeterringpredatorsinthearea;c. doesnotharmtheflockitisguarding;ANDisd. suitablefortheenvironmentalconditionsoftheoperation.

• • • • • •

i[6.4.1]:Thisincludesdogs,llamas,donkeysandanyotheranimalsthatmaybeusedforguardianduties.


9PLANS,PROTOCOLS,PROCEDURES,TRAINING,RECORDSANDDOCUMENTS! Certainhistoricalrecordsanddocumentsincludedinthissectionmaynotbeavailableatthetimeofinitialauditastheoperationapplyingfor5-Step®certificationwasunawaretheywouldberequiredand,therefore,cannotcreatethemforpastevents,treatments,assessments,orpractices.Atthetimeofinitialaudit,record-keepinganddocumentationmechanismsmustbeplacetomeeteachofthesestandards,andrecordsanddocumentationfor,ataminimum,thechickenspresentlyon-sitemustbeavailable.

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+9.1GeneralRecordsRequirements

9.1.1 mRecordsmustbewrittenandmadeavailabletotheinspectorand/orcertificationcompany.Acceptableformatsinclude,butarenotlimitedto;recordsheetsandcards,calendars,notebooks,andcomputerdocuments. • • • • • •! [9.1.1]:Recordscanbecollectedandstoredbyproducergroups,butmustbeavailableatthetimeoftheaudit.

9.1.2 Recordsmustbepresentedinanorganizedmanner. • • • • • •

9.1.3Allrecords,reports,Stepcertificates,andothermaterialsandcorrespondencerelatingtoStepcertificatesmustbekeptforatleastonecertificationcycle. • • • • • •! [9.1.3]:Thesematerialsmustbekeptuntilaftertheoperationhasbeenre-certified.

9.2WrittenFarm/AnimalHealthPlan/SystemPlan

9.2.1

Eachoperationmusthaveawrittenplandescribing:a. anoverviewoftheoperation,includingsize,type/stageofproduction,location,andtypicalclimatic

conditionsb. emergencyprocedures,includingthosefornaturaldisasters,fire,watershutoff,and,ifapplicable,power

failurec. operationalpracticesandpoliciesforchickenproduction:

i. provisionfordailyfeedandwater,includingrationdetails;ii. healthprograms(e.g.,supplementation,vaccinationandotherpreventative,maintenanceand/or

health-promotingpractices);iii. routinehusbandryprocedures;iv. careofsickand/orinjuredchickens,includingon-farmeuthanasiapolicies;v. managementofoutdoorareas,ifapplicabletoproductionsystem;vi. brooding;vii. rodent,wildbird,andpredatorcontrolpractices;viii. environmentalmanagement(i.e.toreflecthowvariousenvironmentalchallengesarehandled

suchaslargefluctuationsintemperature,excessivehumidity,etc.).

• • • • • •

! [9.2.1]:TheFarmandAnimalHealthPlancanbeprovidedbyanaffiliatedgroup(e.g.,aproducergroup,co-operative,marketingentity)orcreatedwiththeaidofexternalconsultation(e.g.,extensionagents,veterinarians,peers),butmustincludeinformationspecificandrelevanttotheoperationapplyingfor5-Step®certification.


STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+9.3BiosecurityProceduresandProtocols

9.3.1

Eachoperationmusthaveadocumentedandimplementedbiosecurityprogramthatcovers:a. proceduresforbringinganychickensontothesite,includingnewchicksandanyreturningchickens(e.g.show

chickens);b. proceduresandpoliciesforcaretakers(e.g.dresscodeandfootwearrequirements,policiesconcerningpets

and/orthekeepingofchickensorotherchickensoff-site);c. proceduresandpoliciesforvisitorstotheoperation(e.g.minimizingvisitors,provisionoffootbaths,booties,

andprotectiveclothing;visitorlogs);d. feedtrucksandequipmentdeliverytotheoperation;e. sharedborderswithneighboringoperations,ifapplicable;f. clean-outproceduresofhousingunitsbetweenflocks.

• • • • • •

i[9.3.1]:GAPhasspecificprotocolsintheeventofanavianinfluenzaorsimilardiseaseoutbreak.Pleasecheckwithyourcertifierintheeventalocalizedoutbreakimpactsyouroperation’sbiosecurityprocedures.

9.4AlternativePowerSupply

9.4.1

Ifpowerisessentialtotheoperationofheating,cooling,ventilation,watering,and/orfeedingsystems,eachoperationmusthave:a. analternativepowersupply;and/orfail-safedeviceinworkingcondition;ANDb. amethodofnotificationintheeventofpowerfailure.

• • • • • •

9.5Training

9.5.1

Eachoperationmustprovidetrainingtoallcare-givers(whetherfull-time,part-time,seasonalorcontractual)and/ormanagersthat:a. iswrittenand/orhands-on;b. ispresentedinallnecessarylanguages;c. includesinstructiononrecognizingsignsofnormalandabnormalchickenappearanceandbehavior;d. describesallaspectsoftheindividual’sresponsibilities;e. describesemergencyprocedures;f. isprovidedpriortotheindividual’shandlingofanychickensontheoperation;g. coversallrequirementsofthisversionofthe5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforChickensRaisedfor

Meat;h. ison-goingasnecessaryand,ataminimum,whenanychangesaffectingthecareandmanagementofchickens

areimplemented.

• • • • • •

9.5.2

Eachoperationmustkeeparecordofcare-giver’straining(whetherfull-time,part-time,seasonalorcontractual),includingdatesoftrainingandtopicscovered. • • • • • •! [9.5.2a]:Trainingincludesinitial,re-trainingandon-goingtraining.! [9.5.2b]:Thisrecord-keepingstandardappliestoallcare-giversbutdoesnotincludeimmediatefamilymembers.


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+9.6TraceabilityandChainofCustody

9.6.1

Eachoperationmusthaveindividualflockrecordsthatcantracetheflockfromthehatchery/hatchingthroughtoslaughter. • • • • • •! [9.6.1a]:See5(d)intheProgramRequirementsforsegregationprotocolrequirements.! [9.6.1b]:Foroperationssupplyingproducergroups,itisacceptablefortheproducergrouptorecordandmaintainthisinformationforindividualoperations.! [9.6.1c]:See1(j)intheProgramRequirementsforChainofCustodyRecordsReconciliationProgram(CCRRP).

9.6.2m

EachStep-ratedoperationmustsendachainofcustodyrecordwitheachtruckofchickenstransportedofftheoperationtotheslaughterfacility.Therecordmustinclude:

a. thenumberofchickenstransported;b. dateoftransportc.steprating;d.certificatenumber;ande.certificateexpirydate.

• • • • •

9.6.3 Acopyofthechainofcustodyrecordfromeachloadofchickensmustbekeptbytheoperationforreviewbytheauditoratre-inspection. • • • • • •


10SLAUGHTERREQUIREMENTS

STANDARDStepLevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+10.1GeneralRequirements! Operations,ortheaffiliatedgroup(e.g.aproducergroup,co-operative,marketingentity),mustprovideacompletecopyofthecurrentthirdpartyanimalwelfareauditforallslaughterfacilitiesusedbytheOperationoraffiliatedgrouptothecertifiertoverifythisSection.GAPcertifierswillreviewthecorecriteriaofthecurrentauditandassesseligibilitytomeetthisstandard(i.e.adeskauditofacurrentthirdpartyanimalwelfareaudit).! TheanimalwelfareslaughterauditdoesnothavetobeconductedbyaGAPapprovedcertificationcompany.Operationsandsuppliersareencouragedtocheckwiththeirretailpartnerstoensurethecertifierusedfortheirslaughterauditisincompliancewiththeretailer’sbuyingrequirements.iARobustSystematicHumaneHandlingandSlaughterPlanisnotequivalenttoathirdpartyanimalwelfareauditanddoesnotreplacetheneedforsuchathirdpartyaudit.10.1.1 Allanimalsmustbestunnedandrenderedinsensiblepriortoslaughter. • • • • • •

10.1.2

Alloperationsholdingacurrent5-Step®certificate,whereanimalswillbemarketedasStep-rated,mustbeslaughteredataslaughterfacilitythathaspassedandholdsacurrentannualthirdpartyanimalwelfareauditwithaminimumscoreof90%andpassallcorecriterialistedbelow:

a. Atleast99%ofthechickensmustbeproperlystunned(onasampleof300);b. Nomorethan1%brokenordislocatedwings;c. Ifhunglive,bothlegsmustbeshackled(1in500isafailure);d. Nobrokenlegs(1brokenlegin500isafailure);e. Nomorethan1%bruisedthighsanddrumsticks;f. Nolivechickensenteringthescalder.

Source:adaptedfromtheSlaughtersectionofNationalChickenCouncilAnimalWelfareGuidelinesandAuditChecklistforBroilers(2014).

• • • • • •

! [10.1.2]:Anybirdfoundwithabrokenlegorwingshouldbeeuthanizedimmediately,ratherthanshackled.10.1.3 Chickensthataredead-on-arrival(DOA)mustnotexceed0.5%. • • • • • •

10.1.4

Inadditiontothecriterialistedin10.1.1–10.1.3,third-partyslaughterplantauditsmustinclude,ataminimum,thefollowinginformationaspartoftheauditform(s):

a. Auditorname;b. Auditdate;c. Fullname,address,andcontactinformationofslaughterfacility;d. Establishmentnumber;e. Nameofslaughterfacilityrepresentativewhoaccompaniedtheauditorontheaudit;f. Summarytableofauditfindingsbysection(i.e.listsandscoresforcorecriteriasuchaseffectivestunning,

insensibilityonthebleedrail,vocalizationetc.aswellassecondarycriteria);g. Typeofslaughtersystem(e.g.electricalwaterbath,CASetc.);andh. Typicallinespeedofslaughterfacility(ifapplicable).

• • • • • •


STANDARDSteplevel

1 2 3 4 5 5+10.2SegregationandIn-PlantTraceability

10.2.1Allslaughterfacilitiesusedbytheoperationoraffiliatedgroupmustprovideacopyoftheirwrittenin-plantsegregationandtraceabilityprotocoloutlininghowStep-ratedchickens,anddifferingStep-ratingsifapplicable,arekeptsegregatedfromnon-Step-ratedchickensandproduct.

• • • • • •

10.2.2 Chickensmustbeslaughteredon-farmusinganon-farmslaughterfacilityoramobileslaughterunit. •


AppendixI:Breeds/StrainsGrowthRatesandStep-Ratings

Section1.2setsstandardsonthemaximumgrowthratethatisacceptableforeachSteplevel.GAPhasusedpublishedbreedersdatatoassesstheaveragedailygain(ashatched)ofavarietyofcommonlyusedbreeds/strainsandthereforethemaximumStep-ratingthatcanbeachievedwhenusingthatbreed/strain.Thisinformationisshowninthetablebelow.

ThemaximumStep-ratingachievablebyeachbreedissetfromthestandardizeddata,reviewedbyGAP,forchickensat42daysofage.GAPunderstandsthatsomeoperationsachievedifferentgrowthratestothoseshownbelowandthatsomeoperationsrearbirdstodifferentslaughterages.However,thisisnotrelevantforthepurposesofthisstandard.AsnotedatthestartofSection1ofthesestandards,GAPannouncedinMarch2016thatitwouldbetransitioningallStepLevelstohigherwelfaregeneticsbyJanuary1,2024.Toassistustothatend,GAPhascommissionedastudytodeterminethespecificrequirementsforeachSteplevel.UntilthatstudyiscompleteGAPneededtosetastandardwayofassessingbreedsandstrainsandtheSteplevelthateachwassuitablefor.Thetablebelowistheresultofthisprocess.Inpracticethismeans(forexample)aStep3operationcanuseaCobb500birdregardlessoftheiron-farmperformanceandgrowthrateandtheirage/weightatslaughter.Ifanoperationwishestouseanalternativebreed/straintheyshouldcontacttheirCertifierforconfirmationthatthebirdtheywishtousemeetstherequirementsoftheirexpectedStep-level.

Source Breed/Strain AvDailyGain(ashatched)

MaximumStepAchievable

CobbVantress Cobb500 0.150 3CobbVantress CobbSasso150 0.077 5+Ross Ross308 0.147 3Ross Ross708 0.140 3

Ross RowanRanger 0.090 5Hubbard Classic 0.150 3Hubbard F15 0.147 3Hubbard Flex 0.150 3Hubbard H1 0.149 3Hubbard JV 0.140 3Hubbard F915 0.136 3Hubbard JA987 0.117 3Hubbard JA957 0.110 4Hubbard JA887 0.107 4Hubbard I857 0.102 4

….tablecontinuesonnextpage


Source Breed/Strain AvDailyGain(ashatched)

MaximumStepAchievable

Other RedbroCouNu(PouletRougeFermier)

0.065 5+

FreedomRangerHatchery FreedomRanger 0.092 5CenturionPoultry Sagitta 0.048 5+S&GPoultry HeritageWhite 0.095 5S&GPoultry Red&RainbowRanger 0.074 5+


AppendixII:IdentifyingandScoringFootpadDermatitisSection2.8requiresafootpaddermatitismonitoringprogram,conductedattheslaughterfacilityoron-farminthelastweekpriortoslaughter,thatincludesrandomsampling.Onefootisassessedfromeachselectedchicken.Thetotalnumberofchickensselecteddependsonthenumberofflocksbeingsenttoslaughteronaparticularday–seeDeterminingtheSampleGroupbelow.Theidentificationandscoringprotocolbelowconsidersboththesizeandseverityoflesions.If100birdsareassessedthetotalmaximumfootpaddermatitisscorewouldbe200(i.e.,all100feetscoring‘2’).Themaximumthresholdsforaflock’stotalfootpaddermatitissumarelistedinstandards2.8.3to2.8.6accordingtoSteplevel.Standards2.8.3to2.8.6setlimitsforfootpaddermatitisasanannualaverage.Thismeansthatanoperationwithsomeseasonalvariationinfootpaddermatitismaybewithinthestandardsonanannualbasis.Forexample,aStep2operationsendsoneflocktoslaughtereverymonth.Thescoresforeachflockwereasfollows:January20;February18;March15;April15;May10;June10;July10;August10;September12;October12;November14;December14.Theannualaveragescoreistherefore13.5.Standard2.8.3requiresStep2operationstohaveanannualaveragefootpadscoreof15sotheoperationisincompliancewiththisstandard.Howeverstandard2.8.7requiresaninterventionplan(seeAppendixIII)tobewrittenandimplementedforeachindividualflockthatexceedsthelevelsetinStandard2.8.3.ThisoperationmustthereforehavewrittenaplantoreducetheirriskoffootpaddermatitisinJanuaryoftheexampleyearaboveandcreatedanewplan,updatingtheirprogressanddetailinganynewactions,inFebruaryoftheexampleyear.PROTOCOLStep1: DeterminingtheSampleGroups

• Attheslaughterfacility:Determinehowmanyflocksweresentfromeachoperation.Theminimumsamplesizeis100birdsifonlyoneflockissenttoslaughter.Ifmorethanoneflockissenttoslaughteranadditional25birdsforeachadditionalflockmustbeassessed;forexampleif5flocksaresenttoslaughteronthesamedaythesamplegroupmustbe100plus25,plus25,plus25,plus25foratotalof200birdsassessedwithonefootforeachbirdscored.Oncethesamplesizeisset,randomlycollectatotalofdifferentlegs(i.e.nottwo(2)fromthesamebirdtomeetthesamplesize,andscorethefootpadsataconvenienttimeduringtheday.

• On-farm:Determinehowmanyflockswillgotoslaughteronthesameday.Theminimumsamplesizeis100birdsifonlyoneflockissenttoslaughter.Ifmorethanoneflockissenttoslaughteranadditional25birdsforeachadditionalflockmustbeassessed;forexampleif3flocksaresenttoslaughteronthesamedaythesamplegroupmustbe100plus25,plus25foratotalof150birdsassessedwithonefootforeachbirdscored.Oncethesamplesizeisset,inthelastweekbeforethosebirdsgotoslaughter,randomlycatchchickensin4differentlocationsineachhousetomeettherequiredsamplesize,examinetheirfeetandscorethefootpads.Arepresentativesampleofbirdsacrossallflocksmustbeassessed.Ifthreeflocksaresenttoslaughterand150intotalmustbescored,50shouldbescoredineachhouse.


AppendixII:IdentifyingandScoringFootpadDermatitiscontinuedStep2: Scoring

• Usethefollowingcharttoscorethefeetfromeachflockwithafootpaddermatitisscoreof‘0,’‘1,’or‘2.’Step3: CalculatingtheFlock’sTotalFootpadDermatitisSum

• (#offeetscoring‘0’x0)+(#offeetscoring‘1’x1)+(#offeetscoring‘2’x2)/(numberoffeetscored/100)=TotalFootpadDermatitisSum• Intheabovecalculation,theTotalFootpadDermatitisSumisdeterminedasfollows:

o afootscoring‘0’doesnotgetanypointso afootscoring‘1’gets1pointo afootscoring‘2’gets2points

• Forexample:

o Of100feetfrom100chickensassessed:65score‘0,’30score‘1,’andtheremaining5score‘2.’o (65x0)+(30x1)+(5x2)/(100/100)=0+30+10/1,foraTotalFootpadDermatitisSumof40o Of500feetfrom500chickensassessed320score‘0’,140score‘1’andtheremaining40score‘2’o (320x0)+(140x1)+(40x2)/(500/100)=0+140+80/5foraTotalFootpadDermatitisSumof44


AppendixII:IdentifyingandScoringFootpadDermatitiscontinued

Score:0 Score:1 Score:2(0pointseachforscoreof0) (1pointeachforascoreof1) (2pointseachforascoreof2)

• Nolesionsorverysmall• Nodiscolorationorslightonalimitedarea• Nohyoerkeratosisormild• Oldornoscars

• Mildand/orsuperficiallesions• Substantialdiscolorationonthefootpad• Darkpapillae,noulceration

• Severeandsignificantlesions• Ulceration• Darkpapillaeandulceration• Abscessesand/orswollenfeet(bumblefoot)

nolesion

mildlesion

severelesion

smalldiscoloration

substantialdiscoloration

darkpapillaeandulceration

completelyhealedscar

darkpapillae,noulceration

abscess,swollen(bumblefoot)

Adaptedandreprintedwithpermission:“Foot-paddermatitisinbroilers:aphotoguidetobroilerfoothealthclassification.”DrLottaBerg,SwedishUniversityofAgriculturalSciences,Sweden


AppendixIII:InterventionPlansStandards2.8.7,2.9.7,2.10.6and4.4.3allrequirewritteninterventionplanstobeputintoeffectifthelevelsoffootpaddermatitisdetailedinStandards2.8.3(Step1),2.8.4(Steps2and3),2.8.5(Steps4and5)and2.8.6(step5+);lamenessdetailedStandards2.9.3(Step1),2.9.4(Steps2and3),2.9.5(Steps4and5)and2.9.6(step5+);flockmortalitydetailedinStandards2.10.2(Step1),2.10.3(Steps2and3)and2.10.4(Steps4,5and5+);andairqualitydetailedinStandard4.4.2(allSteps),donotmeettherequirementsofthestandards.Theinterventionplantemplatebelowmustbecompletedandimplementedforeachflockwhenthisoccurs.GAPCertifierswillreviewtheseplansataudit.Template:Interventionplanquestions Operation’sresponseWhichstandarddoestheflocknotmeetandwhatleveloffootpaddermatitis/lameness/mortality/airqualityhasbeenfound?

Whyhastheproblemoccurred?

Whatactionshavebeenputinplacetoresolvetheissuenow?

Whatactionshavebeenputinplacetoensurethisdoesnothappenagainwithfutureflocks?

Exampleofcompletedtemplate:Interventionplanquestions Operation’sresponseWhichstandarddoestheflocknotmeetandwhatleveloffootpaddermatitis/lameness/mortality/airqualityhasbeenfound?

Standard2.8.5–thefootpaddermatitisscoreforoneofourStep4flockswas10

Whyhastheproblemoccurred? Wehadawaterleakinthehouseandlitterqualitywasreducedwithsomeareasofwetandcappedlitteroverawidearea.

Whatactionshavebeenputinplacetoresolvetheissuenow?

Werepairedthewaterleakandcheckedwatersystemsinourotherhouses.Weaddedplentyoffreshcleanlittertoimprovelitterquality.

Whatactionshavebeenputinplacetoensurethisdoesnothappenagainwithfutureflocks?

Wealreadymakesureourventilationprogramkeepstemperatureandhumidityatacceptablelevelstohelpmaintainlitterquality.OurfeedprogramischeckedbyanutritionistandwearesurethisincidenceofhigherthanusualFPDisnotrelatedtonutrition.WeareslightlylowerstockedthanpermittedbyGAPstandardssowedonotthinkstockingdensityisacontributoryfactorinthiscaseeither.Wearetakingmorecareofwaterlinemaintenanceandadjustingtheheightofwaterlinesasbirdsgrowtoreducespillageandwaterwastage.


AppendixIV:3-CategoryLamenessEvaluationStandard3.15requiresalamenessevaluationconductedon-farmduringthefinalweekpriortoslaughter.This3-categorylamenessevaluationassessesandscoresthemobilityofchickensobservedin4differentlocationswithineachhouse,oneachfloorifmulti-level,orineachoutdoorarea.If100birdsareassessed,thetotalmaximumlamenesssumpossibleis200(i.e.,all100chickensscoring‘2’).Themaximumthresholdsforaflock’stotallamenesssumarelistedinstandards3.16.1to3.16.3accordingtoSteplevel.PROTOCOLStep1: DeterminingtheSampleGroups

• Determinehowmanyflockswillgotoslaughteronthesameday.Theminimumsamplesizeis100birdsifonlyoneflockissenttoslaughter.Ifmorethanoneflockissenttoslaughteranadditional25birdsforeachadditionalflockmustbeassessed;forexampleif3flocksaresenttoslaughteronthesamedaythesamplegroupmustbe100plus25,plus25foratotalof150birdsassessedforlameness.

• Oncethesamplesizeisset,inthelastweekbeforethosebirdsgotoslaughter,assessgroupsofchickensin4differentlocationsineachhousetomeettherequiredsamplesize.Arepresentativesampleofbirdsacrossallflocksmustbeassessed.Ifthreeflocksaresenttoslaughterand150intotalmustbescored,50shouldbescoredineachhouse.

Step2: ScoringandSuggestedBestPractices

• Usethefollowingcharttoscorechickensfromeachflockwithalamenessscoreof‘0,’‘1,’or‘2.’• Watchonechickenatatimeforatleast15seconds.• Eachchicken’smobilitymustbeassessedandscoredfromthesideinordertoobservefootplacementandlengthofstride.• Gentlenudgingmaybenecessarytoencouragemovement.• Chickensmustalwaysbeapproachedfrombehind,ifmovementmustbeencouraged.• Oncethechickenismoving,backawaytoassessthegaitandassignalamenessscoreof‘0,’‘1,’or‘2’accordingtothechartbelow.

Step3: CalculatingtheFlock’sTotalLamenessSum

• (#ofchickensscoring‘0’x0)+(#ofchickensscoring‘1’x1)+(#ofchickensscoring‘2’x2)/(numberofassessedbirds/100)=TotalLamenessSum• Intheabovecalculation,theTotalLamenessSumisdeterminedasfollows:

o achickenscoring‘0’doesnotgetanypointso achickenscoring‘1’gets1pointeacho achickenscoring‘2’gets2pointseach


AppendixIV:3-CategoryLamenessEvaluationcontinued• Forexample:

o Of100chickensassessed:62score‘0,’23score‘1,’andtheremaining15score‘2.’o (62x0)+(23x1)+(15x2)/(100/100)=0+23+30/1,foraTotalLamenessSumof53o Of300chickensassessed:200score‘0’,88score‘1’andtheremaining12score‘2’o (200x0)+(88+1)+(12x2)/(300/100)=0+88+24/3foraTotalLamenessSumof37.3

Score:0 Score:1 Score:2

(0pointseachforscoreof0) (1pointeachforascoreof1ifoneormoreofthedescriptionsbelowareseen)

(2pointseachforascoreof2ifoneormoreofthedescriptionsbelowareseen)

• Footmayormaynotcurlwhenliftedbythechicken

• Smoothgaittypicallywithevenstepsthatmaybeunevenattimes

• Well-balanced• Abletowalkquicklyand/orrun• Difficulttoidentifyanyabnormalitywhen

walkingorrunning

• Unevengait• Footdoesnotcurlwhenliftedbythechicken• Irregular,shortstrides• Poorbalance• Thechicken:

o mayuseoneorbothwingstohelpbalancewhilewalking

o squatswithin15secondsofstandingorbeingforcedtomovebygentlenudging

o mayliedownafterseveralsteps

Thechicken:• isreluctantorunabletomove,orshuffleson

thegroundifforcedtomovebygentlenudging

• useswingstohelpwithmovement• takesatmostafewsteps,ifany

Normal ModeratelyLame SeverelyLame


AppendixV:SoiledFeatherAssessmentStandard4.3.4requiresthatlitterwithinhousingstructurestobeofqualityandquantityto(1)provideacomfortableenvironmentand(2)allowfordust-bathingbehavior.Atthetimeofaudit,5-StepauditorswillperformthefollowingSoiledFeatherAssessmentasanadditionalindicatoroflitterconditionsbyobservingaminimumof100chickensintheflock.Inaddition,aspartofStandard4.3.5,operationsmustperformthissameassessmentalongwithaLitterQualityAssessment(seeStandard4.3.6andAppendixVI)whentheflockisbetween15-20days.IftheSoiledFeatherAssessmentatflockageof15-20daysshowsthatmorethan10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiled;ORtheLitterQualityAssessmentcarriedoutatthesametimeshowsthatlitterscores2or3,Standard4.3.7requiresthatawritteninterventionplanisputintoplacetoimprovelitterqualityandStandards4.3.8and4.3.9requirethatsubsequentSoiledFeatherandLitterQualityAssessmentsarecarriedoutinthesameflockintheweekbeforeslaughter.Protocolforoperations:

a. Assesseachflockbetween15and20days.b. Foreachassessmentrandomlyselect10chickensfrom5differentlocationsthroughoutthehouseorpastureareaforatotalof50chickens.c. Usethescoringsystembelowandvisuallyassessthebackandtopofthechicken,notincludingthelegsandfeet.ITISNOTNECESSARYFORBIRDSTOBE

PICKEDUPTOCARRYOUTTHISASSESSMENT.d. Recordtheassessments.Foryourconvenience,atemplatescoresheethasbeencreatedincaseitisneeded1.e. Ifanyflockhasanassessmentwheremorethan10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiled;ORiftheLitterQualityAssessmentinAppendixVIgiveslitter

scoresofmorethan1,eachflockmustadditionallybeassessedduringtheweekpriortoslaughter.

Scoring(seealsothephotosonfollowingpage)

0=1=2=

CleanThebirdiscleanorhaslightsoilingSignificantlysoiledFeathershavelargeareasofdirtand/orfeathersarewetanddirtyonupto50%oftheback/topSeverelysoiledFeathershavelargeareasofdirtand/orfeathersarewetanddirtyonover50%oftheback/top

1Scoringsheetsillustratedbelowcanbedownloadedfromwww.globalanimalpartnership.org


BACK/TOPOFCHICKEN

Score0:CleantoLightlySoiledThebirdiscleanorhasminorareasofdirtiness

Score1:SignificantlySoiledFeathershavelargeareasofdirtand/orfeathersarewetanddirtyonupto50%oftheback/top

Score2:SeverelySoiledFeathershavelargeareasofdirtand/orfeathersarewetanddirtyonover50%oftheback/top

Photoscourtesyof2SistersFoodGroupLtd.ScoringguideadaptedwithpermissionfromtheRoyalSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimals(WelfareStandardsforChickens,2011)

SoiledFeatherAssessment–MeatChickensDate:____________________________________________ Flockageinweeks:______________________________________HouseID:____________________________________________ Flocksize(placed):______________________________________FlockID:____________________________________________ Littertype:______________________________________Scoring(seealsothephotosinAppendixIIoftheGAP5-Step®AnimalWelfareRatingStandardsforChickensRaisedforMeat

0=

1=

2=

CleanThebirdiscleanorhaslightsoiling

SignificantlysoiledFeathershavelargeareasofdirtand/orfeathersarewetanddirtyonupto50%oftheback/top

SeverelysoiledFeathershavelargeareasofdirtand/orfeathersarewetanddirtyonover50%oftheback/top

(remembertoscorevisuallyONLYthetopandbackofthebird–thereisnoneedtopickupeachbird)Chicken DirtinessScore Chicken DirtinessScore Chicken DirtinessScore Chicken DirtinessScore

1 16 31 46 2 17 32 47 3 18 33 48 4 19 34 49 5 20 35 50

6 21 367 22 378 23 389 24 3910 25 40

11 26 4112 27 4213 28 4314 29 4415 30 45

DirtinessScoreTotalnumberofbirdswithscore0: Totalnumberofbirdswithscore1: Totalnumberofbirdswithscore2:


AppendixVI:LitterQualityAssessmentLitterservesseveralimportantfunctions.Forexample,itabsorbsexcessmoisturefromdrinkersandthebirds’droppings;itdilutesfecalmattersoreducingcontactbetweenchickensandmanure–sopromotingbirdcleanliness;and,itprovidesaprotectivecushionbetweenthebirdsandthefloor.Goodlittermanagementisthereforecrucialforchickenwelfare.Atthetimeofaudit,5-StepauditorswillperformthefollowingLitterQualityAssessment.Inaddition,aspartofStandard4.3.6,operationsmustperformthissameassessmentalongwithaSoiledFeatherAssessment(seeStandard4.3.5andAppendixV)whentheflockisbetween15-20days.IftheSoiledFeatherAssessmentatflockageof15-20daysshowsthatmorethan10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiled;ORtheLitterQualityAssessmentcarriedoutatthesametimeshowsthatlitterscoresmorethan1,Standard4.3.7requiresthatawritteninterventionplanisputintoplacetoimprovelitterqualityandStandards4.3.8and4.3.9requirethatsubsequentSoiledFeatherandLitterQualityAssessmentsarecarriedoutinthesameflockintheweekbeforeslaughter.Protocolforoperations:

a. Assesseachflockbetween15and20days.b. Foreachassessmentpickupthreelittersamplesfromthreedifferentareasinthehouse–onefromeachendofthehouseandoneinthemiddle.There

isnoneedtodigoutasample–itcanbecollectedfromthesurface.c. Usethescoringsystembelowtoassesslitterquality.Theworstscoreofthethreesamplesmustnotexceed1.d. Recordtheassessments.Foryourconvenience,atemplatescoresheethasbeencreatedincaseitisneeded.1e. Ifanyflockhasanassessmentat15-20dayswherelitterscoresaremorethan1;ORiftheSoiledFeatherAssessmentinAppendixVshowsthatmore

than10%ofsampledbirdsareseverelysoiled,aninterventionplanasdescribedinStandard4.3.7mustbeimplementedANDthatflockmustadditionallybeassessedduringtheweekpriortoslaughter.

ScoringLitterQuality ActionRequired?

0 DRY Dryandcrumbly,freeflowingoncompression(willnotformaballorclod)

Noactionrequiredforthisstandard,butnotethiscouldbe

causingdustyconditions

1 MOIST Stickyonhandwhencompressed,clodformsbutdoesnothold–crumbleswhenreleasedfromcompression

No-thisisthetargetscore

2 WET Formsaclodwhencompressedthatholdsformwhenreleasedfromcompression

Yes–needsworktoimprovelitterquality3 VERYWET Litterisnoticeablywet,moisturecomesoutofiton

compression.


AppendixVI:LitterQualityAssessmentContinuedOtherresources:https://www.poultryventilation.com/sites/default/files/tips/2011/vol23n3.pdfhttp://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/388/litter-quality-and-broiler-performance/http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=B1267


AppendixVII:SensoryEvaluationofAirQualitySection4.4requiresassessmentofairqualityusingammoniameters,testingstripsorsensoryevaluation.Mostoperationsdonotusecalibratedequipmenttoassessairqualityonadailybasis.Whilethistypeofspecializedequipmentisanaccuratewaytomeasureairquality,it’stypicallytoocostlyforeverydayuse.Sensoryevaluationortestingstripsaremorecommonlyused.Protocolsforallthreemethodsareshownbelow.Option1:SensoryEvaluationBelowisasubjectivescorethatcanbeusedtoassessairqualityduringdailymonitoring.Scores2-5(Moderate,Strong,VeryStrong,andOverpowering)indicatethatammoniaanddustareexcessiveandneedtobeaddressedimmediatelyforbothhumansafetyandanimalhealth.1. Onceeachdayduringflockmonitoring,scoreandrecordtheairqualityjustpriortoleavingthehouse.2. Recordyourairqualityscore.3. Ifactionisrequired(score2-5),makeanynecessaryadjustmentstoventilation,management,etc.toimproveairqualityinyourbarn(s).

ScoringAirQuality ActionRequired?

0 ZERO odoranddustnotnoticeable(easytobreathe)

No-acceptableairquality1 WEAK odoranddusthardlynoticeable

2 MODERATE odoranddustdistinct,annoying(wateryeyesand/orcoughing)

Yes–needsworktoimproveairquality

3 STRONG odoranddustirritating(stingingeyesandmouth,and/orexcessivecoughing)

4 VERYSTRONG odoranddustbearable(stingingeyesandmouth,excessivecoughing,and/orpainwhenswallowing)

5 OVERPOWERING odoranddustunbearable,youneedtoleavethebarn(hurtstobreathein)


Option2a:useofammoniateststrippapers1.Onceeachdayduringflockmonitoring,scoreairqualityjustpriortoleavingthehouse.2.Wettheteststripwithdistilledwater(tapwatercontainsimpuritiesthatcanaffectthetestresult).Wavethestripintheairatbirdheightfor15seconds.4.Comparethecoloroftheexposedteststriptothecalibratedcolorchartprovidedbythemanufacturertofindtheppmofammoniaintheair.5.Recordtheammonialevelfound.6.Ifactionisrequired(scoremorethan20ppm),makeanynecessaryadjustmentstoventilation,management,etc.toimproveairqualityinyourbarn(s).Option2b:UseofcontinuousammoniasensorpapersSometypesofammoniasensoruseadetectionsystemsimilartopaperteststrips,butratherthantestingeachdaythesearedesignedtoprovidereadingsforuptotwomonths.Thesesensorsprovidea3-hourtime-weightedaverageofammonialevelsonacontinuousbasis.Thevisualsensorchangescolor(fromgoldenyellowtoblue)dependingontheammoniaconcentrationinthesurroundingenvironment.1.Noteexpirationdate(twomonthsfromthedateoffirstuse)onthesensor.2.Attachsensorcentrally&directlyabovetheareatobemonitoredwithstringortwine.(Itisrecommendedtohaveonesensorevery5,000ft2-approximately70ftx70ft).3.Onceeachdayduringflockmonitoring,scoreairqualityjustpriortoleavingthehouse.4.Comparesensorcolor(centersquare)tosurroundingcolorchart(outercircle)andrecordtheammonialevelfound.5.Ifactionisrequired(scoremorethan20ppm),makeanynecessaryadjustmentstoventilation,management,etc.toimproveairqualityinyourbarn(s).6.Replaceaftertwomonthsofuse.Option3a:Useofelectronicammoniameters1.Onceeachdayduringflockmonitoring,turntheammoniameteronoutsidethehouse.3.Goinsideandwalkthroughthehouseforatleast2.5minutes.4.Readtheresultfromthemeter.5.Recordtheammonialevelfound.6.Ifactionisrequired(scoremorethan20ppm),makeanynecessaryadjustmentstoventilation,management,etc.toimproveairqualityinyourbarn(s).Option3b:Useofammoniadetectiontubemeters1.Onceeachdayduringflockmonitoring,scoreairqualityjustpriortoleavingthehouse.2.Breaktheendsofthesingleuseglasstubeprovidedwiththegasdetectionmeter.3.Placethetubeinsidethehand-operatedpump.4.Pullbackthehandleofthepumpanddrawa100mLsampleofairintotheglasstubefrombirdheight.Theammoniaintheairreactstochemicalsinthetube,changingthecolorofthechemicalsthelengthofthetubefrompurpletobeige.5.Thehigherthelevelofammoniainthehouse,thelongerthecolorchangedownthelengthofthetube.Readtheresultfromthegraduatedscaleontheoutsideofthedetectionmeter.6.Recordtheammonialevelfound.7.Ifactionisrequired(scoremorethan20ppm),makeanynecessaryadjustmentstoventilation,management,etc.toimproveairqualityinyourbarn(s).8.Foramoreaccuratereadingmultiplesamplesshouldbetaken.


AppendixVIII:EnvironmentalEnrichmentsChickens,likeotheranimals,benefitfromarichenvironmentthatisstimulatingandallowsforthemtoengageinnaturalbehavior;particularlyforagingbehaviorandexercise.Providingenrichmentscanimprovethewelfareofchickensinacommercialsetting.Section4.8requiresStep1-4chickenstobeprovidedwithenvironmentalenrichments.Thefollowingdocumentdetailstheimportanceoftheseitems,aswellasoutliningenrichmentsthatcounttowardstherequirementsoftheStandardsaswellasthosethatdonot.Enrichmentsareanadditiontothechickens’environmentthatencouragestheexpressionofnaturalbehaviorsuchasgroundscratching,pecking,andforaging.Aswell,enrichmentsthatincreasephysicalactivityandpromoteexercisecanminimizeundesirableandevenharmfulbehavior,includingaggression,feather-pecking,cannibalism,flightiness,anddistress.(Itemsthatarefundamentaltothewelfare,includinghealth,ofthechickens,suchasdust-bathsandlitterarenotconsideredtobeenrichmentsastheyarebasicrequirements).Ofcourse,enrichmentsshouldalsoensuretheydonotputchickensatriskofinjuryorstress.Theaimofanenrichment,however,isto:

1. addstimuliandlong-termnoveltytothechickens’environment;2. evoke–andmaintain–theirinterest,and;3. improvetheirphysical,behavioral,and/ormentalwell-being.

Enrichmentscanbenefitchickensraisedinanysetting,whetherexclusivelyindoors,withoutdooraccess,oronpasture.Byintroducingtheseinteractiveelements,thelivesofchickenscanmostcertainlybeenhanced.However,notallenrichmentsarethesameintermsofhowwelltheyactuallydo“enrich”thechickensenvironment.EXAMPLESOFENRICHMENTSTHATCOUNTANDDONOTCOUNTTOWARDSTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8ThetablesbelowlistenrichmentsthatcounttowardstherequirementsoftheSection4.8andthosethatdonot,andarebynomeansexhaustive.Theexamplesanddiscussiononwhy,orwhynottheyareenrichmentsthatcounttowardstherequirementsofSection4.8areintendedtohelpunderstandwhatprovisionsaremostmeaningfultochickens.TheenrichmentsthatcounttowardstherequirementsoftheSection4.8arecategorizedintothreedifferentsections–A,BandCdependingonthesizeoftheenrichmentandthenumberofwaysthatthechickenscaninteractwithit,sothatthereisequivalencebetweenthedifferentchoicesforenrichment.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONA1enrichment=oneitemfromthissection(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)

Bales(turkeypoultsintopcenter

picture)

Whatistheproduct?Balesofstraworhaythatarenotplasticwrapped.Whyisitanenrichment?Balesofstraworhaypromotephysicalactivity,encouragepeckingandforagingbehavior,providearoostingarea,stimulatethebirds’curiosity,andmore.Chickensareabletoimprovetheirleghealthbyjumpingonandoffthebales,aswellassatisfytheirpeckingandforagingneeds,astheyinteractwithandmanipulatethebaleswiththeirbeaks.Theseenrichmentsprovideaninterestingadditiontothebirds’environmentandencouragethemtoexploreandinvestigate.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Strawbalescanbeplaceddirectlyonthelitterandlefttobepulledapartbythechickens.Leavingthebaleswiththeiroriginalties(2-3stringswrappedaroundthebale)typicallyresultsinlongerusebythechickens.Inordertocountas1enrichment,balesmustremaintheiroriginalsizeandnotbeuntiedwithflakesscatteredthroughoutthebarn(i.e.astrawbaleof10flakes=1enrichment,not10)


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONACONTINUED

1enrichment=oneitemfromthissection(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse) Spreadingwhole

grains(layinghenspictured)

Photo:http://buildachickencoopeasy.com/feeding-chickens/

Whatistheproduct:Scatteringwholegrains.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickensenjoyawiderangeoffoodsandhaveastrongdrivetoforage,scratch,andpeck.Introducinggrainsthroughanumberofdifferentways—suchasscatteredlooselyallowschickenstoactivelyengageinseekingoutfoodinamorenaturalway.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Atleast1%ofthechickens’totaldailydietmustbeprovidedinthisformandgivenonceaday.Forexample,if100lbs(45kg)offeedisgiventotheflockdaily,atleast1lb(0.45kg)ofgrainsmustbescatteredsolargenumbersofbirdscanaccessthemeachday.

Grubsandotherinsects

Photo:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfnyFFIrcPo

Whatistheproduct:Offeringgrubsandotherinsectstothechickens.Chickensenjoyawiderangeoffoodsandhaveastrongdrivetoforage,scratch,andpeck.Grubsandinsectsarepartofthenaturaldietofchickensandhavetheadditionalbenefitofprovidingessentialaminoacids.Blacksoldierflylarvaecanberaisedonwastevegetablesandotherorganicmatter.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Wholegrubsorinsectsmustbemadeavailabletochickensatleastdailyforthistobeanacceptableenrichment.Atleast1%ofthechickens’totaldailydietmustbeprovidedinthisform.Forexample,if100lbs(45kg)offeedaregiventotheflockdailyatleast1lb(0.45kg)ofgrubsmustbeprovided.Thegrubscaneitherbescatteredormustbepresentedinawaythatlargenumbersofchickenscanaccessthegrubs.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONA

CONTINUED1enrichment=oneitemfromthissection(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)

Perches

Source: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal/article/influence-of-providing-perches-and-string-on-activity-levels-fearfulness-and-leg-health-in-commercial-broiler-chickens/22316C47DA193FA25D4BFB7A3F7FCAB5#fndtn-supplementary-materials

Whatistheproduct:Providingperches.Whyisitanenrichment:Perchingisanaturalbehaviorforchickensandprovidingperchesencouragesthebirdstoexerciseandcanhelpstrengthentheirlegs.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Alengthequivalenttoatleast2mlinearperchforevery1000birdscountsasasingleenrichment.Perchesmustnotbesitedmorethan10inchesfromgroundlevel.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONB1enrichment=atleasttwoitems(either2ofthesame,or2differentones)fromtheenrichmentslistedinthissection

(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)Edible,destructible

hangers

Photo:hangingeucalyptusbranches

Photo:http://featherwel.org/feedenrichments/peckingobjects

Whatistheproduct:Hangingplantsorsmallbales.Whyisitanenrichment:Thesematerialsareedibleandaresomethingthatthechickenscanpeckatandmanipulate.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Thehangingbalesorplantsneedtobehungatheadheightandbereplacedregularly.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONBCONTINUED

1enrichment=atleasttwoitems(either2ofthesame,or2differentones)fromtheenrichmentslistedinthissection(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)

Ediblepeckingblocks

Whatisit:Hangingedibleblocksforchickenstopeckat.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickensenjoyawiderangeoffoodsandhaveanextremelystrongdrivetoforage,scratch,andpeck.Supplying“grainblocks”or“mineralpeckingblocks”allowschickenstoactivelyengageinseekingoutfoodinamorenaturalway.(NOTE:Anyfoodstuffsgiventothebirds,includingenrichments,mustmeetthe5-Step®standards,whichprohibitmammalian,avian(includingeggs),andfishby-products.SeeStandards3.4.1to3.4.3.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Blocksmustbereplacedaschickenseatthem.NOTE:Concreteblocksarenotacceptableaspeckingblocks.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONBCONTINUED1enrichment=atleasttwoitems(either2ofthesame,or2differentones)fromtheenrichmentslistedinthissection

(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)Structures–indestructible

boxes

Whatisit:Woodenorplasticboxesthatbirdscangetinorperchon.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickenswillutilizethesetypesofstructuresmostlytoescapefrommoredominantoraggressivechickens(i.e.as‘blinds’),tosleep/restagainst,andtoalimitedextent,forexercise.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Anyindestructibleboxhastobesimilarinsizetoastrawbale(minimumof2.5ftx1.5ft)sothatmultiplechickenscanuseitatonetime,whenatmarketweight.

Structures-destructible

boxes

Whatisit:Cardboardboxes.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickenswillutilizethesetypesofstructuresmostlytoescapefrommoredominantoraggressivechickens(i.e.as‘blinds’),tosleep/restagainstorunderneath,andtoalimitedextent,forexercise.

Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Anydestructibleboxhastobesimilarinsizetoastrawbale(minimumof2.5ftx1.5ft)sothatmultiplechickenscanuseitatonetime,andmustbestrongenoughtosupportbirdsthatchoosetositontopofit.

Theboxmustbetallenough,andmusthaveawayforbirdstoeasilygetunderneathit(e.g.theholecutintheboxatthefrontinthepicturetotheleft)sothatchickenscangoinsideuntilatleastoneweekpriortoslaughter.

Theboxmustbereplacedifitcollapsesorisotherwisedestroyedbythebirds.



(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)Structures-

ramps

Whatisit:Wooden,plasticorplasticcoatedmetalrampsWhyisitanenrichment:Chickenswillutilizethesetypesofstructuresmostlytoescapefrommoredominantoraggressivechickens(i.e.as‘blinds’),tosleep/restagainstorunderneath,andtoalimitedextent,forexercise.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Anyramphastobesimilarinsizetoastrawbale(minimumof2.5ftx1.5ft)sothatmultiplechickenscanuseitatonetime,whenatmarketweight.RampsmusthaveslattedormeshtopsANDtheslopeoftherampmustbeshallowenoughsothatchickenscaneasilywalkupandperchonthemuntiltheyareatleastoneweekpriortoslaughter.Rampsmustbestableandallowmultiplebirdsatmarketweighttousethem.Theheightofarampmustallowmultiplebirdstositunderneaththemuntiltheyareatleastoneweekpriortoslaughter.See“Shelters”inSectionCforanexampleofastructurethatlookslikearampbutwouldNOTmeetthecriterialistedhere.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONBCONTINUED

1enrichment=atleasttwoitems(either2ofthesame,or2differentones)fromtheenrichmentslistedinthissection(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)

Structures–ramps

Continued

Seecommentsaboveforcriteriaforacceptableuse

Structures-halfbarrelsandtunnels(turkeys

picturedintopphoto)

Seecommentsbelowforcriteriaforacceptableuse



(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)Structures-halfbarrelsandtunnelsContinued

Whatisit:Plasticbarrelsorlargepipeslaidhorizontallysochickenscanenterthetubeorsitontopofit.Ortunnelsconstructedofothermaterials.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickenswillutilizethesetypesofstructuresmostlytoescapefrommoredominantoraggressivechickens(i.e.as‘blinds’),tosleep/restagainst/inside,andtoalimitedextent,forexercise.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Anybarrelorpipehastobeaminimumof2.5ft.longandtallenoughthatbirdscangetinsideuntilatleastoneweekpriortoslaughter,butnotsotallthatbirdsarediscouragedfromsittingontopofitApipeorbarrelthatisacircleincrosssection(ratherthancutinhalftogiveasemi-circularcrosssection)mustbesecuredinthelitter(e.g.partlyburied)soitdoesnotrollwhenchickensgoinside.Anypipeorbarrelthatisacircleincrosssectionmusteitherhaveacorrugatedorsimilarsurfacethatbirdscangrip(seepicture,left),ormusthavelitterinsidethepipe.Anypipe,barrelortunnelmusthaveanexteriorsurfacethatthatbirdscansafelyperchontopof.SeetableonenrichmentsforchickensthatdonotmeettherequirementsofSection4.8forusesofbarrelsthatwouldnotcountasanenrichment.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONC

1enrichment=atleastthree(3)items(either3ofthesame,or2ofonetypeandoneofanother)fromtheenrichmentslistedinthissection(SeealsoSection4.8forfurtherdetailsonnumberofenrichmentsbysizeofhouse)

Bundlesofstrings/ropes

andpapertwists

Source: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal/article/influence-of-providing-perches-and-string-on-activity-levels-fearfulness-and-leg-health-in-commercial-broiler-chickens/22316C47DA193FA25D4BFB7A3F7FCAB5#fndtn-supplementary-materials

Photo:http://www.featherwel.org/feedenrichments/peckingobjects

Whatistheproduct:Hanginginedibleitemsforchickenstopeckat.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickenshaveadesiretoinvestigateandpeckatitemsintheirenvironment.Stringisoneofthesimplestpeckingobjectsusedonfarms.Inaddition,papertwistscanencourageexploratorybehaviorinchickensandstimulateactivitylevels.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Stringorropemadeofnaturalfibersmustbeusedratherthanbalingtwineorsimilarmaterials.Theindividualstrandsofstringortwistsofpapermustbepresentedinabundlethatisatleast1”(2.5cm)indiameterwhenitisfirstgiventothechickens.Papertwistsmustnotbemadefromnewspaper,magazinesoranyotherpapercontainingdyes.Note:Ifusingstraw/haybales,balingtwineisnotanacceptablesecondenrichment.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONCContinued


Smallediblehangers

Whatistheproduct:Hangingedibleitemsforchickenstopeckat.Whyisitanenrichment:Givenchickens’strongdesiretoinvestigate,explore,peckandforage,ediblehangersarealsoeffectiveenrichments.Suspendingbroccoli,headsoflettuce,corncobs,cabbages,alfalfaoroathaybunches,andotherfoodshastheaddedbenefitofstimulatingphysicalactivity.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Theedibleitemneedstobehungatchickenheadheightandmustbereplacedassoonastheyareconsumed.

Shelters

Whatisit:Anobjectthatallowsabirdtogounderneathittoshelter.Whyisitanenrichment:Chickenswillutilizethesetypesofstructuresmostlytoescapefrommoredominantoraggressivechickens(i.e.as‘blinds’),tosleep/restagainstorunderneath.Whatarethecriteriaforacceptableuse:Anysheltershouldbeatleast2.5ftlong.Theheightofasheltermustallowmultiplebirdstositunderneaththemuntiltheyareatleastaweekpriortoslaughter.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8–SECTIONCContinued


SheltersContinued

SeecommentsaboveforcriteriaforacceptableuseNote:Thewoodenshelterinthepicturetotheleftmaylook,atfirstglance,likethe“Structures–ramps”thatarelistedinSectionBabove.However,thesurfaceoftherampissmooth–notmeshedorslattedasrequiredinSectionB.Chickensmightperchonthisshelterwhentheyareyoung,butwillnotcontinuetodosoatolderages,asthesmoothsurfacedoesnotoffersufficienttraction.Thisisthereforeclassifiedonlyasashelterandnotaramp.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATDONOTMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8EnrichmentslistedinthistabledonotcounttowardstherequirementsofSection4.8;butoperationsmaychoosetousetheminadditiontoenrichments

selectedfromthetablesabove.Forexample,someoperationsliketoplaymusictomaskbackgroundnoisethatmightstartlethebirds,andthiscanstillbedone,butitwouldnotcountasanenrichmenttomeettherequirementsofSection4.8.

Non-ediblehangers

Whatistheproduct:CDs,aluminumcans,plasticbottles,piecesofrubberhoseorPVCtubing,plasticcoloredkeys.Whyisn’titsuitableasanenrichment:Whilethesenon-ediblehangersmayholdthebirds’interestinitially,chickensofallagesquicklybecomeindifferenttothesetypesofhangingobjectsandmaterialsthatcannotbeconsumed.

Plasticbarrelscutinhalfwith

solidends

Whatistheproduct:Plasticdrums(e.g.55gallondrums)thatarecutinhalf,withtheendslefton.Whydoesn’titmeettherequirementsofSection4.8:Althoughchickensmightintheorygetintobarrelswhenplacedcutsideup;orgetontopofbarrelswhenplacedcutsidedown,thesmoothnessofthecurvedsideswillnotmakethisattractive,andsmallbirdscouldgettrappedinside.Iftheendsofthedrumswereremoved,theycouldpossiblybeusedastunnelsandmeettherequirementsofSection4.8–seeSectionBabove.

Musicandradio Nophotoavailable

Whatistheproduct:Leavingaradioormusicplayinginthebackground.Whydoesn’titmeettherequirementsofSection4.8:Althoughsomebelievethatplayingmusicortheradiocanbeinterestingtochickens,neitherspecificallyencourageschickenstoperformnaturalbehaviorandisnotconsideredtobeanenrichmentforthepurposesofSection4.8.


ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATDONOTMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8

EnrichmentslistedinthistabledonotcounttowardstherequirementsofSection4.8;butoperationsmaychoosetousetheminadditiontoenrichmentsselectedfromthetablesabove.Forexample,someoperationsliketoplaymusictomaskbackgroundnoisethatmightstartlethebirds,andthiscanstillbedone,

butitwouldnotcountasanenrichmenttomeettherequirementsofSection4.8.

Feedersandwaterers

Nopicturecurrentlyavailable.

Feedersandwaterersaredesignedexclusivelyformaintainingnutritionandhydration,anddonotserveasenrichments.Usingfeederlids/eggflatsfilledwithgraindoesnotcountasanacceptableenrichment.Certainlybirdsmayhopontofeedersorwaterlines,buttheseessentialsarenotconsideredtobeenrichmentsthatallowbirdstoengageinabroaderrangeofnaturalbehavior.

VisualBarriers Nopicturecurrentlyavailable.

Barriersincludeplywoodsheets,shadeclothorsimilarmaterialhungvertically.Whiletheuseofthesebarrierscanprovideplacesforbirdstohidefromotherbirdstheydonotencouragenaturalbehaviorssuchasforagingandpeckingandarenotthingsthatchickenscaninteractwithinanyway.

Diatomaceousearth

Someproducersmaygivediatomaceousearth(alsoknownasdiatomiteorD.E.),alight-colored,soft,andfriablesedimentaryrock,tochickensintheirlitterorinfeedmixtures.However,thisisnotanenrichmentforthepurposesofSection4.8asitdoesnotstimulatethebirds’environmentoractivitylevels.

Litteranddust-baths

(layinghenpictured)

Photo:https://www.rspca.org.au/free-range-standards

Whatistheproduct:Anareaofdry,friablematerialwherechickenscandust-bathe.Whyisn’titsuitableasanenrichment:Althoughchickenswillforageinlitterandmakeuseofdust-baths,suchmaterials—whethersawdust,woodshavings,rice(orother)hulls,longorchoppedstraw,hay,miscanthus,sand,orchoppedcornstalks—arerequirementsinthe5-Step®standards,ratherthanconsideredadditionsthatenhancethechickens’environment.

ENRICHMENTSFORCHICKENSTHATDONOTMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFSECTION4.8


EnrichmentslistedinthistabledonotcounttowardstherequirementsofSection4.8;butoperationsmaychoosetousetheminadditiontoenrichmentsselectedfromthetablesabove.Forexample,someoperationsliketoplaymusictomaskbackgroundnoisethatmightstartlethebirds,andthiscanstillbedone,

butitwouldnotcountasanenrichmenttomeettherequirementsofSection4.8.Partstructures

Whatistheproduct:PlasticframesorstoolsWhyisn’titsuitableasanenrichment:Noneoftheitemspicturedencourageschickenstoperformnaturalbehaviorandisnotconsideredtobeanacceptableenrichment.


AppendixIX:Illustrationof“AtChickenHeight”Forvegetationtobeacceptableasvegetativecover(seealsoSection5.2)itmustbeavailableat“chickenheight”.Thisisillustratedbelow.Note:VegetationinPicture3isinaccessibleatchickenheightandthereforenoteligibletomeettherequirementsofSection5.2.Howeverthistallvegetationisacceptableasaprovisiontoencouragechickenstogoontopasture,ifitiswithin15ft(4.5m)ofthehouse.SeeSection5.4.Picture1:Chickencanforageingrassorothershortplants.Vegetationisaccessibleatchickenheight.

Picture2:Chickencanreachleavesonshrubsortallgrasseswithouthavingtojumporflyup.Vegetationisaccessibleatchickenheight.

Picture3:Chickencannotreachleavesonshrubsortallgrasseswithouthavingtojumporflyup.VegetationisNOTaccessibleatchickenheightandcouldnotbeincludedasvegetativecoverunderSection5.2.


AppendixX:ProvisionstoEncourageChickenstoUsePasture

TREECOVER Woodedareasprovideacceptablecover.ACCEPTABLE.

Youngtreesplantedonpasture Maturetreesprovidingenoughcovertomeetthe(arrow).TheyoungtreesDONOTprovideenoughstandard.ACCEPTABLE.coveryet,sotheoperationwouldneedtoprovideadditionalprovisions.NOTACCEPTABLE.

Large,leafy,bushytreesprovideacceptablecover.ACCEPTABLE.

Theseyoungsaplingswillprovidecoverinafewyears–butinthemeantimetheoperationneedstoprovideadditionalprovisions.NOTACCEPTABLEunlessmoremanmadestructuresareadded.

Thesetreesareclosetothehouseandprovidecoveralongthewholesideofthehouse.ACCEPTABLE.


ARTIFICIALCOVERShadeclothisanacceptableprovision.ACCEPTABLE.

ThismanmadestructureisanacceptableProvisionaslongasthereareenoughtomeetStandard5.4.3.ACCEPTABLE.

TheseA-framesareacceptablebutthereneedstobeenoughofthemtomeetStandard5.4.3.ACCEPTABLE.

ThisarcisacceptablebutthereneedtobeenoughofthemtomeetStandard5.4.3.ACCEPTABLE.

ThisstructureisacceptablebutthereneedtobeenoughofthemtomeetStandard5.4.3.ACCEPTABLE.

ThisstructureisacceptablebutthereneedtobeenoughofthemtomeetStandard5.4.3.Notethebushesandshrubsalsoprovideadditionalcover.ACCEPTABLE.

TALLPLANTCOVER


Whilethispasturemeetsthevegetativecoverrequirements,thesegrassesarenottallenough.NOTACCEPTABLE.

Tallcornstalksprovideoverheadcover.However,cornstalksmaynotlastyearroundandadditionalprovisionsmayneedtobeprovideduringthewintertomeetthestandard.ACCEPTABLE.

Coverthatistallanddense,allowingbirdstohideandexplorethewholepasture.ACCEPTABLE.

Tall,leafyplantsprovideoverheadcover.ACCEPTABLE.

Densebramblesprovidecoveropportunitieseveninwinter.ACCEPTABLE.

Theserushesarenottallenoughtoprovidecover.NOTACCEPTABLE.


GlossaryTerm DefinitionBrooding Specialprovisionoffood,waterandwarmthforyoungchicks.By-product Animalwasteandproductsderivedfromslaughter/harvestprocessincludingbloodoranyofit’scomponents,

meat,bone,bristles,flesh,hair,hides,hooves,horns,offal,skins,wool,fat,and/orfeathers.Fishincludeswholefish,partsoffish,fishmeal,fishby-productsfromtheprocessingindustryandotheraquaticspeciesand/orproducts(doesnotincludeseaweedoroystershell).

Cull Abirdthathasbeenremovedbyacaretakerandkilledasamanagementdecision.Environmentalenrichment Materialsthatareprovidedtochickenstoaddcomplexitytotheirenvironment,encouragetheexpressionof

naturalbehavior(suchasgroundscratching,pecking,andforaging),anddecreasetheexpressionofabnormalanddeleteriousbehavior.

Euthanasia Theactofkillingindividualchickenson-farminresponsetoanirrecoverableillnessorinjury.Flock Abarn/houseofchickens.Thegroupcanbekepttogetherordividedintosmallergroupsbutwouldbe

consideredoneflock.SeealsoProgramRequirements1e.Geneticallymodified Chickenswhohavebeengeneticallyaltered(modified,engineered).Thisdoesnotincludechickensthatare

geneticallyselectedforcertaintraits.Lameness Theinabilitytouseoneorbothlegsinanormalmanner.Litter Beddingmaterials.Loading Puttingchickensintotransportcrates/containerswhethermanuallyormechanically.Mobilehousing Astructurethatisbothmoveableandmoved,ataminimum,betweenflocksofchickens.Mobilehousingalso

allowschickensaccesstopasture.Mobileslaughter Aslaughterfacilitythattravelsfromoperationtooperationsochickensmaybeslaughteredon-farm.Off-label/extra-labelmedication Off-labeluseistheuseofpharmaceuticaldrugsforanunapprovedindicationorinanunapprovedagegroup,

unapproveddosage,orunapprovedformofadministration.Operation Afarmkeepingchickens(seedefinitionunderProgramrequirements1.f).Organophosphates Chemicalcompoundsoftenusedaspesticides,whichhavebeenshowntohaveadverseeffectsonthenervous

systemofhumansandanimals.On-farmslaughterfacility Apermanentstructureorbuildinglocatedonthefarm;designedtoslaughterandprocesschickens.Pasture Accesstorangeland,grassland,plantedpastures,managedpastures,woodedareas,andanyotherlandwhere

chickenshaveaccesstovegetation.Placement Theactofremovingbirdsfromthetransportcontainerandplacingintotheirlivingaccommodation.Roost Theplacewherechickenscongregatetorestatnight.Sub-therapeutic Administeringtreatmentinapreventativemannerwhenchickensarenotsick;thisincludeslowdosesof

medicationoveranextendedperiodoftimeorusingmedicationroutinely.