New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 2 - AGRICULTURE
Chapter 8 - HUMANE TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK
Subchapter 4 - STANDARDS FOR POULTRY
Section 2:8-4.4 - Keeping

Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code 2:8-4.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024

(a) The birds' environment must provide relief from the elements, such as excessive wind, excessive temperature and excessive precipitation, that result in hyperthermia or hypothermia detrimental to the birds' health.

(b) Relief under (a) above can be accomplished with natural features of the environment including, but not limited to, trees, land windbreaks, overhangs, or other natural weather barriers or constructed shelters.

1. Constructed shelters shall:
i. Be of sufficient size to provide adequate space for each bird seeking shelter within to stand, lie down, get up, walk, spread its wings, move its head freely, turn around and rest;

ii. Be structurally sound;

iii. Have a safe interior surface, reasonably free of injurious matter;

iv. Maintain air quality by natural or mechanical ventilation;

v. Minimize extremes in environmental temperature; and

vi. Be maintained at a level of repair such that they continue to fulfill the requirements of (b)1i through v above.

(c) If enclosed yards are used to contain poultry, the following conditions shall be met:

1. Sharp objects that pose an actual threat to the birds shall be minimized to prevent an unreasonable risk of injury to the birds.

2. If stationary objects that pose a risk of injury cannot be removed, reasonable efforts must be made to minimize contact of the poultry with these objects by fencing off or covering the object, or through similar means.

(d) Cage housing, not including transport crates, shall be:

1. Of sufficient size to allow each bird to stand upright in the cage without having its head protrude through the top of the cage, lie down, get up, walk, spread its wings, move its head freely, turn around and rest;

2. Constructed to minimize the risk of injury or entrapment; and

3. Constructed to minimize soiling of birds by fecal material from birds in cages above them.

(e) Floor housing shall provide:

1. Each bird enough room to stand, lie down, get up, walk, spread its wings, move its head freely, turn around and rest; and

2. A sufficient number of nesting boxes for laying hens seeking access to a nesting box.

(f) Constructed floor surfaces on which poultry are kept must provide a suitable environment for poultry health.

(g) Poultry shall be provided with an environment that supports poultry health.

(h) When inducing a molt in egg-laying hens, the light period should be reduced to not less than eight hours in closed houses or to natural day length in open houses for the duration of the molt period. When the flock is placed back on a layer diet, lights should be returned to the normal layer program schedule.

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