Schedule 4 BIRDS: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES

When carried out on a bird, a procedure listed below must be carried out in accordance with the condition or conditions specified for that procedure.

1. 1.

   Castration

   The procedure may not be carried out on farmed birds.

   The procedure may only be carried out as part of a conservation breeding programme.

   An anaesthetic must be administered.

2. 2.

   Implantation of a subcutaneous contraceptive

   The procedure may not be carried out on farmed birds.

   The procedure may only be carried out as part of a conservation breeding programme.

3. 3.

   Ovidectomy

   The procedure may not be carried out on farmed birds.

   The procedure may only be carried out as part of a conservation breeding programme.

   An anaesthetic must be administered.

4. 4.

   Vasectomy

   The procedure may not be carried out on farmed birds.

   The procedure may only be carried out as part of a conservation breeding programme.

   An anaesthetic must be administered.

5. 5.

   Beak trimming of poultry

   The procedure must be performed using a suitable instrument, and on—

   1. (a)

      both the lower and upper beaks, with not more than one third of each removed, or

   2. (b)

      the upper beak only, with not more than one third removed.

   Any subsequent haemorrhage from the beak must be arrested by cauterisation.

   On poultry that are intended to become laying hens and which are kept on establishments with 350 or more laying hens, the procedure—

   1. (i)

      may only be carried out in order to prevent feather pecking or cannibalism;

   2. (ii)

      may only be carried out before 1st January 2011;

   3. (iii)

      may not be performed on poultry that are intended to become laying hens (or which are laying hens) and which are aged 10 days or over.

6. 6.

   Desnooding

   Where the turkey is aged not more than 21 days, the procedure may be carried out either by manual pinching-out or with a suitable instrument.

7. 7.

   De-toeing of domestic fowl and turkeys

   The procedure may not be carried out on a bird that is aged 3 days or over unless a veterinary surgeon considers that it is necessary that it be carried out.

   An anaesthetic must be administered where the bird is aged 3 days or over.

8. 8.

   Dubbing

   The procedure may not be carried out on a bird that is aged 3 days or over unless a veterinary surgeon considers that it is necessary that it be carried out.

   An anaesthetic must be administered where the bird is aged 3 days or over.

9. 9.

   Laparoscopy

   An anaesthetic must be administered.

10. 10.

    Wing pinioning

    The procedure may not be carried out on farmed birds.

    An anaesthetic must be administered where the bird is aged 10 days or over.