A new Canadian poultry handling code is on the way

The "Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys" has been devised by Chicken Farmers of Canada, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC).

The public comment period allows stakeholders – poultry producers, consumers and others with an interest in the welfare of poultry – to view the draft code and provide input to the final code.

A peer-reviewed scientific committee report summarising research conclusions on priority welfare topics for poultry helped the organisations to devise the new code, and can be found online alongside the draft code. The report, developed by world-renowned animal welfare scientists, should be reviewed prior to making comments.

The poultry code is one of five codes of practice currently under revision as part of a multi-year NFACC project. Codes of practice serve as the national understanding of animal care requirements and recommended practices. The codes cover housing, feed and water, handling, euthanasia, transport and other important management practices.

The public comment period closes on 4 December, 2015.