Animal Welfare (Meat Chickens) Code Of Welfare 2012

This report details the legal welfare obligations of people raising chickens for meat in New Zealand. The 2012 Code of Welfare declares 15 minimum standards regarding stockmanship, food and water, shelter, housing, contingency plans, lighting, ventilation, temperature, litter, stocking density, behavioral needs, handling, transport, health and injury management, and emergency killing.

“The Animal Welfare (Meat Chickens) Code of Welfare 2012 comes into force on 27 July 2012 and revokes the Animal Welfare (Broiler Chickens: Fully Housed) Code of Welfare 2003. The Meat Chickens code applies to meat chickens raised for commercial production, regardless of whether they are raised with access to the outdoors or in a fully-housed system. This code does not apply to hens kept for egg production. Anyone who owns or is in charge of meat chickens must be aware of the following codes of welfare and comply with the minimum standards and the general provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.”