GFA Code of Practice
First published in 1999 and revised several times since, the GFA Code of Practice has become the industry standard for quality gamebird rearing in the UK. All the shooting and land management organisations require their members and others to abide by the GFA Code, which is enshrined in the wider Code of Good Shooting Practice they all endorse. Ministers have said that the GFA Code will be the starting point for work on their own Defra code, expected out in 2009 as an adjunct to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The latest edition of the GFA Code is as follows:
GFA Code of Practice 2006 Edition
The aim of game rearing is to provide fit, healthy birds, well adapted for release into the wild. Provided it is carried out within the terms of this code, such releasing is an entirely valid method of game conservation, indeed it is fundamental to British game shooting and its attendant conservation benefits.
Whatever the species being reared or the methods being used, the over-riding principle which must guide everyone involved is:
Game husbandry must be conducted with all due consideration for the health and welfare of the birds concerned.
This principle can be met if Five Golden Rules are followed throughout the entire process:
1. Those responsible for captive gamebirds must be caring, considerate, conscientious, knowledgeable and skilled. They must be well prepared and take expert advice from veterinarians and qualified game consultants whenever necessary.
2. Captive gamebirds must have ready access to fresh water and an appropriate diet to maintain growth, health and vigour.
3. They must have an environment appropriate to their species, age and the purpose for which they are being kept, including correct heating, lighting, shelter and areas for comfortable resting.
4. Every precaution must be taken to avoid pain, injury, or disease. If they occur, diagnosis, remedial action and the correct use of medication must be rapid.
5. Captive gamebirds must be provided with appropriate space, facilities and company of their own kind to ensure the avoidance of stress.
The Law
1.1 All game farmers/rearers must comply with the law
1.2 No one law regulates game farming but during rearing gamebirds are protected from unnecessary suffering by the Protection of Animals Act 1911 (1912 in Scotland).
1.3 Other laws, including planning, drug control and administration, and animal transport regulations all apply.
1.4 It is the duty of everyone involved in rearing game to know the relevant laws and codes and to abide by them.
1.5 All game farmers/rearers must observe and follow the Code of Good Shooting Practice.
1.6 All those involved with the rearing and releasing of gamebirds must also act in accordance with this code.
Origin of Stock
2.1 All bought in eggs, chicks, poults and adult stock sourced in the UK should be obtained from those able to demonstrate compliance with this code.
2.2 Any eggs, chicks, poults or adult birds bought in from sources outside the UK must comply with any import conditions imposed by Defra and, in the case of any such imports from EU countries, must be accompanied by the appropriate Health Certificate and be from premises approved in accordance with EU legislation.
2.3 Records must be maintained of the source of all hatching eggs, chicks, poults and adult birds. These should include details of any recent treatments with a medicinal product of which the withdrawal period has not expired.
2.4 In order to minimize the risk of disease transmission, laying stock should wherever possible be maintained as a closed breeding flock. Where adult laying birds have to be bought in, particularly as caught up birds, all possible action should be taken to check the provenance and health of the birds.
Husbandry and Welfare
3.1 Game must be treated and handled, at all times, with due regard for the health and welfare of the birds and in such a way as to avoid injury and minimize stress. The timing of processes such as bitting or brailing should be decided accordingly.
3.2 Game farmers/rearers must be able to demonstrate competent levels of management and staffing in respect of bird husbandry. Those who carry out management tasks such as beak trimming and/or administer veterinary medicines by injection, must be able to demonstrate a high degree of competence in relation to these tasks. All personnel should be acquainted with the principles and content of this code, insofar as they are relevant to their particular tasks and duties.
3.3 The fitting of bits in the beaks of birds must be done carefully using the right type of bit for the size and age of the bird. Bits must be changed as the age of the bird dictates and must be removed before release. Any type which is designed to pierce the nasal septum is now illegal in gamebirds. ‘Bumpa' bits should only be used in response to a specific need and then only with particular care.
3.4 Beak trimming should be avoided wherever possible and only used to prevent worse problems if it were not done. Any beak trimming should be done only by a skilled operator or under his supervision, paying particular attention to the age of the birds at the time when it is done. The Defra beak trimming code for poultry provides useful guidance.
3.5 Plastic ‘spectacles' fitted to the beak to prevent feather pecking or egg eating should be avoided wherever possible. Any type designed to pierce the nasal septum is illegal in gamebirds.
3.6 Pulling the flight feathers from the wing to prevent flight is illegal.
3.7 Brailing one wing to prevent flight must only be done with extreme care by a skilled operator or under his supervision. Brails must be the correct size for the birds concerned. It is good practice to change the wing on which the brail is fitted at the time brailed over-wintering birds are transferred to laying pens in the spring. Any brail must be removed before release.
3.8 Gamebirds should be grouped at all times to provide appropriate social groups (age, species, sex, sex ratios and size) and to minimize anti-social behaviour. Batch sizes of birds should be kept within manageable and, if possible, small enough groups so that if a disease problem arises it can be isolated.
3.9 The breeding/rearing system should be designed in such a way as to minimize aggressive behaviour within the flock. Should aggressive patterns of behaviour develop then immediate steps to control them must be taken.
3.10 All game farmers/rearers must nominate a veterinary practice to deal with any disease problem.
3.11 Regularly changed disinfectant footbaths should be in use at all main entrances to the unit. Disinfectants used should be Defra/Scottish Executive approved. Staff and visitors should be aware of the need for suitable footwear and should use the footbaths.
3.12 All incoming chicks, poults or adult birds must be inspected for health on arrival. Eggs must be checked, cleaned, washed and fumigated as necessary.
3.13 All birds must be checked at least daily for signs of disease or injury. All birds suffering ill health, injury or subject to equipment failure must receive immediate and appropriate attention, including the involvement of a veterinary surgeon if necessary.
3.14 All penned game must have access to adequate supplies of clean water at all times.
3.15 Where grit is used it must be of the correct size and type.
3.16 All chicks, poults and adult birds should be adequately protected from predators where legally possible.
Feed Composition and Storage
4.1 All compound feed must have been produced to the standards laid down by all relevant UK and EU legislation and comply with the UKASTA Code of Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Animal Feedingstuffs.
4.2 All game requiring supplementary feed should be provided with a nutritionally balanced diet. Feed must always be of the correct size and type appropriate to the age and species.
4.3 Game farmers/rearers must retain the statutory declaration of constituents from their supplier for each compound diet and supplement fed to their game for each delivery of feed for at least six months.
4.4 All grains provided must be of good quality and free from obvious chemical and micobiological contamination, such as mould.
4.5 All feed must be stored in accordance with good practice and used in a timely manner to ensure that it does not become contaminated. All receptacles bins and vehicles must be regularly cleaned.
4.6 Pest control procedures must be operated.
Housing and Penning Facilities
5.1 When game is housed or penned, the accommodation must be well constructed and of sufficient size to ensure good management, protection from wind, rain and predators, appropriate stocking densities, light, heat and ventilation. Housing must be capable of being maintained in a clean and hygienic condition To avoid the risk of disease transfer, clean ground and a location away from poultry or livestock should be selected and both housing and equipment used must be kept in good repair.
5.2 All housing and penning should be located so as to minimize disturbance to the game and should wherever appropriate be equipped with an outside run of sufficient size for the number of birds housed.
5.3 All housing and penning for laying birds should have adequate cover for birds to shelter.
5.4 Clean, dry, non-toxic, tangle-free litter must be used.
5.5 All housing must be cleaned and disinfected between batches of birds.
5.6 Game farmers/rearers considering the use of new systems and equipment should assess whether they can be managed in ways that meet the full requirements of this code. If they cannot, they should not be used.
5.7 The GFA believes that well-run, traditional outdoor egg laying systems are the preferred route for fertile pheasant egg production in the UK because they are tried and tested. Wherever raised laying units are used for pheasants or partridges they must be managed and enriched at least to the standards set out in the GFA policy document on this subject. Laying systems for duck must adhere to the Government's Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Ducks.
Medicines and Veterinary Treatments
6.1 Any game suffering ill health or injury must receive immediate attention, including, where appropriate, the attendance of a veterinary surgeon.
6.2 Medicines for treatment must only be used when necessary or when prescribed by a veterinary surgeon. The preventative use of veterinary medicines must only be in conjunction with good husbandry practices and when the game is under the care of a veterinary surgeon who prescribes a medicinal product.
6.3 Medicines and veterinary treatments must be stored and used in accordance with current legislation, codes of practice and the manufacturers recommendations. Records of use of all medicinal products must be maintained and all withdrawal periods must be strictly adhered to so that any residues are eliminated.
6.4 Records must be kept of any significant losses and post mortem reports must be retained for a period of at least twelve months.
Gamebird Sales and Transportation
7.1 All consignments from the unit must be accompanied by a dispatch/delivery note and in addition, in the case of all livestock, by the appropriate Animal Transport Certificate, export documentation and/or other journey plan.
7.2 The time in transit should be kept to a minimum while complying with all the relevant legislation. The maximum journey time for day old chicks is 24 hours provided they are not more than 72 hours old at the journey's end. The maximum journey time for all other birds is 12 hours. For journeys over these limits, a journey plan must be prepared detailing the facilities for birds to be rested, fed and watered on route.
7.3 At the time of sale, all game must be in a fit and healthy condition, well adapted and appropriately hardened off in respect of feather development, weather tolerance, diet and method of feeding.
7.4 Gamebirds must be transported only in crates or chick boxes that are safe, secure, clean and well ventilated. Transportation in sacks is not permitted.
7.5 All chicks, poults and adult birds in transit must be adequately protected from all predators and dogs and from the effects of either sun or rain. Eggs must be transported with care and in appropriate packaging of trays or boxes to ensure minimum breakage and contamination. Eggs in transit should not be subject to any excess of either heat or cold.
7.6 Boxes, crates and vehicles must, where appropriate, be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected by appropriate methods between loads to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.
7.7 For the avoidance of doubt and possible subsequent dispute, terms and conditions of sale should be clearly understood by both game farmer/rearer and customer and should be confirmed in writing.
Incubation and Hatching Facilities
8.1 The hatchery building must be physically and operationally separate from any rearing facilities. The layout should allow for the following operations to be kept separate:
(1) Egg storage
(2) Incubation
(3) Hatching
(4) Preparation and packing of goods for dispatch
8.2 Buildings should be protected against wild birds and rodents.
8.3 Walls and floors should be of hardwearing, impervious and washable materials.
8.4 Any natural or artificial lighting, air-flow and temperature should be appropriate to the operations being carried out.
8.5 Game and hatchery waste in the form of surplus chicks and/or live unhatched chicks and embryos should be disposed of in accordance with the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 and the code of practice issued by the Humane Slaughter Association. All animal waste must be disposed of in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulations.
8.6 Eggs should be collected at least once a day and should be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible.
8.7 A continuing hygiene programme should be agreed for the hatchery and all personnel and visitors should wear appropriate protective clothing.
8.8 Buildings and all equipment should be kept in good repair.
8.9 The following should be disinfected and/or fumigated:
(1) Eggs between collection and incubation
(2) Incubators regularly
(3) Hatchers and equipment after each hatch.
8.10 Records should be kept by flock if possible and retained for twelve months to show:
(1) Origin of eggs and date of arrival
(2) Hatchability
(3) Fertility
(4) Destination of day old chicks and/or poults
(5) Any laboratory tests, results, and post mortem examinations
8.11 In order to minimize the risk of disease transmission, custom hatching should be avoided wherever possible. If custom hatching is undertaken, game farmers should ensure that any suppliers of eggs are able to demonstrate compliance with this code.
Conclusion
Rearing is an essential part of game conservation but must always be carried out with due consideration for the health and welfare of the birds. In following the requirements set out here, those involved in rearing gamebirds will be working towards the ultimate aim of producing fit and properly acclimatized birds for release into the wild.
Further Advice
The GFA publishes advice sheets on many aspects of game rearing. In the interests of best practice, these are freely available to practitioners on application to the Secretary at the address below.