A notification concerning the stocking density of broiler chickens

If you are starting operations to keep broiler chickens in a stocking density rate that exceeds 33 kg/m2, follow these steps:

1. Make a hall pass for the farm, or have one made, that includes the central information concerning the production systems in each farming unit.
2. Acquire relevant education to farm broiler chickens (competence is always required when farming over 500 chickens).
3. Fill out parts 1, 2a and 4 of the notification form. The notification must include details about the stocking density and central production systems of the farm.

Details of the production systems include:

• the ground plan of the building
• size of the area for the broiler chickens
• details about the ventilation and heating systems as well as the performed technical inspection
• details about the animal feeders and drinkers as well as their locations
• the early-warning systems for the automated and mechanical equipment that are essential for the welfare of the chickens, as well as their back-up systems
• details about the technical inspections performed on the warning systems
• the floor type
• the usual type of deep litter

1. Submit the form and hall pass to the registry of the Regional State Administrative Agency in whose area your farm is located by no later than 15 days before moving the first flock in the farm.

If you are planning on raising the stocking density rate to over 39 kg/m2, follow these steps:

1. Check that your hall pass is up to date.
2. Fill out parts 1, 2b and 3 of the notification form (and part 4, if needed).
3. Submit the form and hall pass to the registry of the Regional State Administrative Agency in whose area your farm is located by no later than 15 days before moving the first flock in the farm.
4. If the farm has not been inspected for animal welfare for two years, prepare to be inspected.

If you are changing the production systems of the farm in a manner that may affect the welfare of the broiler chickens, please notify the Regional State Administrative Agency without delay. You can use the notification form. Please fill out at least parts 1 and 4 of the form.

If the stocking density rate of broiler chickens is over 33 kg/m2, the ventilation system of the farm must meet the following requirements:

1. the ammonia level (NH3) must be no more than 20 ppm and the carbon-dioxide level (CO2) no more than 3,000 ppm when measured on the level of the chickens’ heads
2. the inside temperature must not be over 3°C higher than the outdoor temperature, when the outdoor temperature is over 30°C in the shade
3. the average relative humidity in the farming facility must not be over 70 per cent within 48 hours, when the outdoor temperature is below 10°C.

Additionally, the poultry farm must have a back-up system for electricity that guarantees the functionality of the mechanical ventilation during electric power failures.

Prerequisites for having a stocking density of over 39 kg/m2 (max. 42 kg/m2) are that

1. during the preceding two years, animal welfare inspections have not revealed any operations in the poultry farm that contradict the provisions on animal welfare. If the farm has not been inspected within the last two years, at least one inspection must be made before the stocking density rate can be raised.
2. the average of the cumulative daily mortality rate of seven consecutive, subsequently checked flocks is below 1 percentage counted as 1+0.06 × t (t = the number of days during which chickens of the flock in question were present in the farming facility).
3. the farm follows a manual of good practices that includes at least the following details about the broiler chickens:

• legislation concerning welfare
• physiology and behaviour
• care
• handling and apprehension
• loading and transportation
• slaughter
• preventive measures against diseases.