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Canadian Code of Practice

The Code of Practice is a national guideline for the care and handling of farm animals, developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council.

It contains requirements and recommended practices on topics such as:

  • Food and water (i.e,. nutrition requirements, space per bird required, etc.)
  • Environment management (i.e., temperature in barn, air quality, etc.)
  • Housing (i.e., housing systems, etc.)
  • Handling and transportation (i.e., how the birds are handled, transit time, etc.)

The Code promotes sound management and welfare practices and is developed through a process that includes input from farmers, processors, researchers, government, veterinarians, foodservice and retail representatives, as well as input from animal welfare organizations. Gathering input from a variety of industry stakeholders allows for a science- and consensus-based code to be developed.

This code development process ensures credibility through a scientific basis, stakeholder collaboration and a consistent approach.

Click here to see more about the 2017 Canadian Code of Practice.

To see more about how these Codes are developed, check out this video from the National Farm Animal Care Council: