RSPCA welfare standards for Meat Chickens

The RSPCA welfare standards for meat chickens, have been developed to provide the only RSPCA-approved scheme for the rearing, handling, transport and slaughter/killing of meat chickens. They take account of UK legislation, government welfare codes, scientific research, veterinary advice, recommendations of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) and the practical experience of the farming industry. The standards are based upon the "Five Freedoms", as defined by FAWC. Although these "Freedoms" define ideal states, they provide a comprehensive framework for the assessment of animal welfare on farm, in transit and at the place of slaughter/killing, as well as representing an important element of farm assurance requirements. The Five Freedoms are: Freedom from hunger and thirst; Freedom from discomfort; Freedom from pain, injury or disease; Freedom to express normal behaviour; and Freedom from fear and distress. Table of Contents: Introduction; Chicks; Food and water; Environment; The range; Management; Health; Welfare Outcome Assessment; Transport; Slaughter/killing; Appendix 1: Welfare audit form example; Appendix 2: Veterinary Health & Welfare Plan example; Appendix 3: Transport - standard operating and emergency procedure; Appendix 4: Hock burn assessment guide;  Appendix 5: Foot pad burn assessment guide; Appendix 6: Dirty feather assessment guide; Appendix 7: Documents required; Appendix 8: Welfare Outcome Assessment (WOA): Meat chicken protocol; Index. Please also read the RSPCA Broiler Welfare Assessment Protocol 2017 (PDF: 644KB). 

108 pages. PDF: 8.48MB. The standards are continually reviewed and revised by the department. Please NOTE: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. To read the latest version of this report, please click here. To see information on the other welfare standards reports on turkeys; domestic/common ducks; laying hens; pullets (laying hens); pigs; dairy cattle; beef cattle; sheep; farmed Atlantic salmon; and hatcheries, please click here.

ISBN: 978-0-901098-11-5

Price: Online version: Free of charge