Codes Of Practice
Developed through NFACC
Under Revision
Archived Recommended Codes of Practice
Code Development Process
Pullets and Laying Hens
CODE UNDER AMENDMENT
The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens was released in 2017. The 5-year review of this Code was completed in 2022 with a recommendation to initiate an amendment to keep the Code relevant and up-to-date. Major challenges identified that warrant Code amendments:
- Round feeder space for laying hens and pullets (sections 1.1.3 & 2.3)
- Minimum space allowance for pullets in multi-tier systems (section 1.1.4)
- Maximum number of tiers allowed in laying and rearing facilities (sections 1.1.5 & 2.6)
Code amendment timeline:
- Start: December 2023
- Public comment period: November 2024 – January 2025
- Projected completion: April 2025
Timeline for all Codes of Practice being amended or updated.
Code amendment resources:
Current Code of Practice and related resources are below.
Committees
Code Amendment Committee members
The Code Amendment Committee is populated in accordance with Step 1 of NFACC’s Code development process.
Role | Committee Member | Organization |
Producer Representative | Glen Jennings (Chair) | Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) |
Walter Siemens | Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) | |
Jeff Clarke | Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) | |
Dan Veldman | Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) | |
Lise-Anne Girard | Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) | |
Pullet Grower | Alvin Brunsveld | Pullet Growers of Canada (PGC) |
Veterinarian | Mike Petrik | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) |
Animal Welfare Advocacy Association | Michelle Jendral | World Animal Protection (WAP) - Canada |
Provincial Animal Protection (Enforcement) | Don Ferguson | Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan |
Provincial Government Representative (AW Responsibilities – FPAW) | Lucica Rosca (Luci) | Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) |
Retail and food service organization | Kimberley Kerr | Retail Council of Canada (RCC) |
Processor and/or Grader | Michelle Shaw | Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors (CPEP) |
Leanne Cooley | Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors (CPEP) | |
Federal Government (AAFC) | Angela Rouillard | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) |
Researcher/Academic | Tina Widowski | Scientific Panel (SP) Chair |
Scientific Panel members
Name | Named by |
Tina Widowski, BSc, MSc, PhD (Chair) | World Poultry Science Association |
Alexandra Harlander, DVM, DVSc, PhD, DECAWBM (AWSEL) | World Poultry Science Association |
Mike Petrik, DVM, MSc. | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association |
There are various ways to view the Code:
- HTML version (or select from the Table of Contents below)
- PDF version (1.9 MB)
There are a limited number of hard copies of this Code. NFACC encourages use of the electronic version and does not store hard copies. If hard copies are required, please contact Egg Farmers of Canada.
Code Interpretation - a written clarification of the meaning of a section of a Code
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Please note that content in the transportation section of this Code, along with additional transportation-related content (e.g., glossary terms) that had referenced or reflected the outdated version of Part XII (Transport of Animals) in the Health of Animal Regulations (HAR), or the now archived Compromised Animals Policy, has been updated to align with the amended regulations, which took effect on February 20, 2020. Hard copies of the Codes that were printed prior to this alignment will not include these updates. For clarity, Codes that have been updated will include a statement on the front cover that reads “Alignment with Part XII (Transport of Animals) of the Health of Animals Regulations: 2021”.
This update process was strictly aimed at revising existing text that no longer aligned with the amended HAR. Every effort was made to respect the original priorities and decisions of the Code Development Committee (e.g., text from the HAR was not added if it was not covered in the original Code). In case of a discrepancy between the hard copy and online version of a Code, the online version shall take precedence.
Other resources:
- Scientific Committee report - Review of scientific research on priority issues - December 2013
- NFACC Code development process
- Animal Welfare Research Needs
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Housing Systems for Laying Hens - Position Statement
- Induced Moulting of Poultry – Position Statement
Table of Contents
Appendices | ||
Appendix A | - Transitional and Final Housing Requirements for Enriched Cages | |
Appendix B | - Transitional and Final Housing Requirements for Non-Cage Housing | |
Appendix C | - Guidelines for Transporting Poultry | |
Appendix D | - Example Euthanasia Decision Guidance | |
Appendix E | - Acceptable Methods of Euthanasia | |
Appendix F | - Resources for Further Information | |
Appendix G | - Participants | |
Appendix H | - Summary of Code Requirements |