Rubber hits the road on new Code

Posted: September 24, 2015

Draft Code of Practice for Chickens, Turkeys and Breeders set for public comment period

Hot on the heels of a broad swath of animal care developments comes fresh news that an updated Code of Practice for Canadian poultry has entered the stretch drive toward finalization.

A new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Chickens, Turkeys and Breeders is about to enter the public comment period phase - anticipated to start on Oct. 5 and close Dec. 4 2015. This is a key final stage in the Code development process coordinated by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). After public comments are received during this period they will be reviewed before the draft Code is finalized and officially released, likely in spring 2016.

Seven issues in the spotlight

The Turkey Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers and Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council initiated the Code development process. Here's a recap of seven top issues expected to be front and centre in the content and discussion of the draft Code:

1. Air and litter quality (broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys)
2. Lighting regimens (broilers, turkeys)
3. Stocking density (broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys)
4. Lameness (broilers, broiler breeders, turkeys)
5. Methods of euthanasia (all, including unhatched eggs)
6. Aggression (broiler breeders - males)
7. Feather-pecking and cannibalism (broiler breeders, turkeys)

NFACC has said it will officially announce the comment period and further details on Oct. 5. Watch the Code page on the NFACC website once that happens for links to the draft document and how to participate in the comment period.