Current through all regulations passed and filed through December 16, 2024
(A)
The responsible party must catch, lift and move
poultry humanely.
(B)
Except for paragraph (C) of rule 901:12-3-05 of the Administrative Code, birds can be caught or carried by one or both legs, and are not to be caught, carried or lifted by the head, neck or tail.
(C)
The
following livestock management procedures are acceptable to minimize injury to
the birds and, if performed, must be performed in a humane manner:
(1)
Beak
conditioning;
(2)
Male back toe conditioning;
(3)
Dubbing;
(4)
Caponizing; and,
(5)
Induced molting, which must also meet all of the
following conditions:
(a)
Must use only non-feed withdrawal methods;
(b)
Broiler breeders must be fed a maintenance ration for non-producing
breeders;
(c)
The light period must be reduced to no fewer than six
hours in closed houses, or to natural day length in open houses, for the
duration of the rest period. When the flock is placed back on a production
diet, lights should be returned to the normal program; and,
(d)
During molt,
flock health, mortality and bird weight must be monitored.
(D)
Environmental management must be designed to control
rodents, non-beneficial insects, and parasite infestation in the birds, as it
applies to the flock's housing system.
(E)
Housing for
broilers and broiler breeders must meet all of the following conditions:
(1)
Must provide a
clean and safe environment that promotes the health, welfare and performance of
broilers/broiler breeders at all stages of their lives;
(2)
Bedding, if
provided, must be of a good quality and absorbent;
(3)
Environmental
moisture must be managed, whether birds are housed indoors or outdoors, to
promote flock health and welfare;
(4)
Stocking
densities must allow all broilers to rest at the same time without being forced
to rest on top of each other at all stages of production and, in addition, all
broilers must be able to access feed and water without excessive competition
that prevents individuals in the flock from maintaining normal body
condition;
(5)
Housing must be designed in a manner which:
(a)
Seeks to
minimize the effects of adverse weather conditions;
(b)
Seeks to
minimize conditions in which the bird cannot effectively thermo-regulate;
(c)
Provides sufficient ventilation to reduce concentrations of carbon monoxide,
ammonia and dust; and,
(d)
Provides backup systems in working condition, in
houses/barns that require mechanized ventilation;
(6)
Light intensity
must be adequate for observation during inspection;
(7)
If natural light
is not available, artificial light must be provided for rearing and production;
and,
(8)
Free-range/pastured broilers must be provided
reasonable protection from adverse weather conditions and predators.
(F)
Broiler breeders housing must meet the following
conditions:
(1)
If slats are used, the slats must be designed and
maintained so as to minimize bruising and injury;
(2)
Where slats are
used, if birds get under the slats they must be removed immediately;
(3)
Introduction of new broiler breeder males must be done in a manner which seeks
to minimize aggression and the risk of injury; and,
(4)
If nest space is
provided, they must be cleaned as necessary to ensure that manure does not
accumulate.
Effective:
9/29/2011
R.C.
119.032 review dates:
09/29/2016
Promulgated Under:
119.03
Statutory
Authority: 904.03
Rule
Amplifies: 904.03
