Transport
RSPCA welfare standards
for domestic/common ducks
44 February 2015
* indicates an amendment
T 2.20 The stocking density must not exceed 62kg/m2 of floor area.
Based on the standard Anglia Autoflow tray (0.8m
2) the stocking density in T 2.20 equates to:
Weight Birds per tray
Up to 3kg 16
3.1 to 3.5kg 14
3.6 to 4.0kg 12
T 2.21 Stocking density must be reduced by 10% when birds are being transported during temperatures in excess
of 20°C.
T 2.22 Transport containers must be taken from the shed slowly and care must be taken to ensure no damage is
caused to the birds.
Transport
T 3.1 All birds must be killed within 6 hours of loading the first bird into a transport container.
T 3.2 The time from when the birds leave the farm to arriving at the processing plant must be no longer than
4 hours.
T 3.3 All hauliers must have a written Standard Operating and Emergency Procedure to implement during
transportation (see Appendix 2).
T 3.4 Fixed crate transport systems are prohibited.
T 3.5 Modular transport vehicles must be parked as near as practically possible to the house being depopulated.
T 3.6 Modular transport systems must:
a) have completely open tops with a depth of not less than 210mm
b) permit adequate ventilation and protect birds from adverse climatic conditions
c) be well maintained
d) be thoroughly cleansed after carrying each consignment of birds.
T 3.7 There must be no sharp edges or protrusions on the transport containers or vehicle that could cause injury
to the birds.
T 3.8 The cleanliness of the vehicle must be checked by the appointed supervisor before any birds are loaded
onto it.
T 3.9 Personnel in charge of duck transporters must:
a) have completed an approved training course
b) be able to demonstrate their competence in handling ducks when loading and unloading them and
while in transit.
T 3.10 All transporters must have a livestock capacity document on board at all times.
The livestock capacity document will give data on the size of the transporter and the
calculated carrying capacity for different livestock species under different climatic conditions.