CS50. Each house on a farm must be equipped with ventilation and, if necessary, heating and cooling systems designed, constructed and operated in such a way that: The concentration of ammonia (NH3) should not exceed 20ppm and the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO²) should not exceed 3000ppm measured at the level of the birds heads. The inside temperature, when the outside temperature measured in the shade exceeds 30°C, should not exceed this outside temperature by more than 3°C. The average relative humidity measured inside a house during 48 hours should not exceed 70% when the outside temperature is below 10°C
CS51. Stockmen must have access to meteorological information predicting periods of extreme weather so that effective action may be taken in advance.
CS52. If greater than normal mortalities occur due to heat stress i.e. >5%, Tesco is to be immediately informed of the figures and supplied with a copy of the high temperature policy.
CS53. Any automated or mechanical equipment which is essential for the health and well-being of animals (e.g. feeding, watering or ventilation equipment) must be inspected daily for defects. Equipment that is used for artificial ventilation, oxygenation, water level monitoring and power supply must be alarmed with a system which operates to warn of failure even when the principle electricity supply has failed.
Back-up power generators must be in place and able to support essential equipment for 24 hours.
Alarms and generators must be tested and recorded every 7 days.
CS54. There must be an alarm system to make persons aware of failures of any automated or mechanical equipment which is essential for the health and well-being of the birds at all times.
CS55. Where a defect is found in automated or mechanical equipment essential for health and well-being (e.g. feeding, watering or ventilation equipment) this must be rectified immediately or immediate measures taken to safeguard the animals from suffering.
CS56. All equipment must be clean, in good working order and maintained under a planned programme.
Core Standards – Feed & Water
CS57. Feeding and watering systems must be designed, constructed, placed and maintained so that contamination of food or water is minimised.
CS58. All animals must have continuous access to a sufficient quantity of clean drinking water so that they are able to satisfy their fluid intake needs. Equipment for providing water to animals must minimise contamination and the harmful effects of competition between animals.
CS59. Water meters must be installed and a daily record of water consumption made in each house. Water systems must be alarmed.
CS60. Water storage tanks must be kept covered and hygienically managed at all times to reduce the risk of contamination. This management process must include the regular cleaning and disinfection of tanks and drinking lines (at the end of each crop) using an effective water sanitiser.
CS61. Bore hole water must be potable and tested every 6 months and recorded.
CS62. Water must be available at all times until animals are loaded for transport.
CS63. For bell drinkers there must be at least 1 per 100 birds.
CS64. An emergency plan must be documented to ensure an emergency supply of suitable drinking water is made available in case normal supplies fail, e.g. mains failure. This plan must be accessible to all and include timescales
CS65. For nipple/cup type drinkers there must be a maximum of 10-20 birds per nipple (depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, water pressure and flow rate) and all birds must have access to at least two drinkers.
CS66. The daily diet must be of good quality and fed in sufficient quantity to maintain the animal's health, satisfy their nutritional needs and promote a positive state of well-being. This includes the development of good gut function. All animals must be fed at least once per day.
CS67. Feeding systems must allow all animals to have access to feed without the harmful effects of competition and bullying. Feeding equipment must minimise contamination of feed.
CS68. Any dietary changes must be introduced gradually (excepting medicated feed), particularly in situations where animals are moved between management systems.
CS69. Feed must not be withdrawn for more than 9 hours prior to catching.
CS70. Birds must not travel more than 4m to reach feed.
CS71. 10cm per breeding female per side of trough space must be provided. 7cm circumference per bird on pan feeders must be provided.
CS72. In breeder layer flocks female feeders may be fitted with male excluders with separate male feeders provided. Males must have sufficient food to maintain bodyweight within the profile recommended by the breeding company.
CS73. Normal feeding programs must not be altered by more than 12 hour.
CS74. Mammalian animal proteins (either processed or unprocessed) must not be included in animal feed. This includes animal meat meal, animals’ fats, meat and bone meal, offal meal, feather meal and any other animal protein or by-products including catering waste. The only exceptions are; milk and milk products, eggs and egg products but no closed loop feeding of species i.e. eggs to chickens. Care is needed especially when including by-products that these do not contain any of the above.
CS75. No home mixing is permitted.
CS76. Producers must obtain (from their feed supplier) a declaration of constituents for each compound diet and supplements fed to their stock. Records of feed formulations for compound feeds must be made available on request.