Chickens, Turkeys and Breeders Code – Progress Updates

June 2025

The first in-person meeting for the Code of Practice update on the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens, and Turkeys was held in Ottawa in late March, with both the Code Committee (CC) and Scientific Committee (SC) in attendance.

This two-day meeting had three key objectives:

Establish Priority Welfare Issues (PWIs):
Ahead of the meeting, CC and SC members submitted suggestions for potential PWIs. The SC conducted a preliminary scan of available and emerging research to inform the discussion. Committee members also reviewed input from the previous public comment period and the top-of-mind survey. After productive discussions, the committee reached consensus on the final list of PWIs for the SC report.
Establish Foundations for Working Together:
Through a series of interactive discussions and team-based activities, participants began building trust and aligning on shared goals. A highlight was a spirited and engaging problem-solving challenge – reminiscent of an escape room – designed to encourage creative thinking, collaboration, and exploring multiple perspectives. Teams embraced the friendly competition with enthusiasm, experimenting with different strategies and learning from one another. While a few moments of frustration surfaced, the room was filled with energy, laughter, and lively conversation as participants worked together toward a common goal. The exercise set a positive tone for continued collaboration.
Initiate Work Planning:
Subcommittees were formed, and initial priority areas for revision were identified. Since the meeting, a comprehensive work plan has been developed, and subcommittee work is now underway. The SC has also begun work on its report based on the agreed PWIs. This process is now in motion and will continue over the next year as the committee conducts a thorough review of the scientific literature.

The results of the top-of-mind survey, which ran from October 4 – 26, 2024 are now available here. The survey aimed to capture top-of-mind welfare concerns from any and all stakeholders. The input received will help the Code Committee understand the kinds of issues people wish to see considered in the Code’s update.

February 2025

Online orientation sessions were attended by all Scientific and Code Committee (CC) members. The orientation sessions provided an overview of the following:

NFACC Code Development Process
Administrative activities and requirements
Anticipated timelines for the project.

The first in-person meeting is scheduled for late March 2025 in Ottawa. Initial work to identify the priority welfare issues (PWIs) is just getting started. PWIs are selected because they are important for the welfare of the animal and will particularly benefit from a review of available research.

Some welfare topics may not be selected for scientific review if there is insufficient research or no new research available. These welfare issues can still be addressed by the CC if they fall within the scope of the Code. Both committees will provide input on PWIs before the meeting and then come together to reach a consensus on the final list at the March meeting. The PWI list is the basis for the scientific report. Click here for the 2013 Scientific Report.

October 2024

The official announcement for the Code’s update was released on October 4^th, 2024 along with a top-of-mind survey. Both the Code Committee and the Scientific Committee are in place; members can be found here.

An important preliminary step in this process is to invite the industry, general public, and all other interested individuals to submit their top-of-mind thoughts on the welfare of hatching eggs, breeders, chickens and turkeys. This input will help to inform the Code update. The top-of-mind survey deadline has been extended; it will now be open for input until November 8^th, 2024. You can access the survey here.

Work is underway to schedule virtual orientation meetings for all committee members in November 2024. It is anticipated that the first in-person meeting for this Code update will be in the first quarter of 2025.