Coop Naturafarm Chicken User Guide

Coop Naturafarm Chicken User Guide

Aim of the guideline

This guideline defines specific standards that Coop requires of business partners with respect to Coop Naturafarm broiler chickens.

Scope

The guideline is binding for the Coop Naturafarm Chicken animal welfare programme.

Validity of the guideline

The guideline enters into force on 1 January 2024. The transition period to implement the changes will last until 31 December 2024.

Requirements for Naturafarm Chicken

Legal provisions and requirements

The latest applicable version of the relevant legal provisions and regulations regarding animal welfare, animal feed, veterinary medicines, and protection of the environment and waterways must be met across the entire farm. Government bodies are responsible for reviewing these requirements. Random checks may be carried out in the context of Coop Naturafarm Chicken inspections.

General programmed requirements and principles

• A Bell Schweiz AG, Poultry organizational unit (hereinafter ‘Bell’) may only conclude contracts with Coop Naturafarm Chicken producers1 (hereinafter ‘producers’) who keep broiler chickens (hereinafter ‘chickens’) exclusively in accordance with this guideline. This regulation applies to all production sites which fall within the producer’s area of responsibility and/or have business associations with the producer.

• B With the Naturafarm Chicken programmer, Coop strives to support land-based agricultural farms.

• C Producers must prove to the inspection body in accordance with section 8.2A that  they satisfy the requirements for the ecological performance certificate (EPC) pursuant to the latest version of the Ordinance on Direct Agricultural Payments
  (Direct Payments Ordinance DPO; SR 910.13).

• D Bell may also conclude contracts under the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programme with producers who do not fulfil certain formal requirements for the receipt of direct payments from the Confederation. The conclusion of such contracts must be agreed with Coop and the inspection body. Producers concerned must prove to the inspection body in accordance with Section 8.2A that they satisfy the requirements for the ecological performance certificate pursuant to the DPO, monitored by cantonal inspection bodies.

• E To label meat as free-range chicken, husbandry requirements in accordance with the Poultry eat Labelling Ordinance PmLO (SR 916.342) must be met.

• F If livestock epidemics occur in which the authorities restrict free-range farming either nationally or cantonally, products will be labelled in accordance with official requirements. If avian influenza occurs, the FSVO Ordinance on Measures for Preventing the Spread of Avian Influenza (SR 916.443.116) applies.

• G Producers must prove that they registered the animal category “chickens” in accordance with the latest version of the Ordinance on Direct Agricultural Payments (Direct Payments Ordinance DPO; SR 910.13) for the ethological contributions towards “particularly animal-friendly stabling (PAS)” and “outdoor access on a regular basis (OARB)”.

• H The use of genetic engineering techniques is prohibited at all stages of production. Such techniques may not be used either in the breeding process or in the reproduction of livestock. Feed must not contain any notifiable genetically modified components.

• I Participants at all levels of the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programme undertake to avoid or recycle waste as much as possible. Unavoidable waste must be disposed of correctly without exception. Uncontrolled burning of waste is prohibited.

• J While moving stock around, management measures are employed to actively counteract water waste. The water used when cleaning the shed is collected and used to dilute the farmyard manure.

Animal husbandry requirements

• A Slow-growing chicken breeds whose daily growth corresponds to extensive husbandry should be selected for the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programme. With this in mind, the focus is on the following criteria: robustness, weather resistance, harmonious growth and good meat quality. The following breeds are permitted in this programme: Hubbard JA-NH, Hubbard S757, Hubbard I 757, Sasso X 451, Sasso XL, Sasso T 431. The aim is to achieve a slaughter weight of 1000 g to 1300 g.
• B Only birds hatched in Switzerland are permitted for the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programme. Hatching and chick production takes place at domestic breeding establishments or hatcheries. The import of fertilized eggs and day-old chicks for the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programme is not permitted.
• C In exceptional cases, appropriate hatching eggs may be imported following written consultation with Coop for experimental purposes (e.g. breed improvement) or in case of supply bottlenecks. The chicks must always be hatched in Switzerland.
• D The chicks of both genders are raised. The chickens must be at least 56 days old.
• E Throughout the day, the birds always have access to appropriate materials as a source of physical and mental stimulation (see 3.1.E). Opportunities for dust bathing in both the shed and outdoor area must be guaranteed at all times.
• F The birds have access to fresh drinking water at all times.
• G Coop Naturafarm producers take advantage of Bell’s further training and advisory services. The instructions of Bell’s veterinary health and advisory service are followed to optimize animal health and husbandry (e.g. minimizing stress).

Shed facilities and climate

• A The shed area must have sufficient activity and rest areas for all animals. Raised perching areas at varying heights are available for separating active and resting birds. As of 10 days old, the birds are provided with perches of at least 75 cm in length per m2 of shed floor space. These perches are approved by the Federal Veterinary Office for use with the breed in question.

• B The shed must be illuminated with daylight. During the day, the light intensity in the shed is at least 15 lux. Lighting may be dimmer in the rest areas, but is at least 5 lux. The dark period of eight hours may not be interrupted by any scheduled periods of light.
  Exceptions :

  • during the first three days after entering the shed
  • in very hot weather, it can be illuminated for longer or the dark phase can be interrupted for drinking
  • during the night before removing from the shed, the light remains continuously on (water intake to better flush the digestive system).

• C For new buildings and changes to the lighting installations, compliance with the SVM limit (SVM ≤ 0.4) for flicker-free illumination must be verified with a certificate. All of the lamps used for this must be energy-efficient.

• D The relevant specialist information from the FSVO must be observed regarding thebarn climate (temperature, humidity, airflow, harmful gases).

• E The shed area is completely covered with sufficient bedding (excluding raised perching areas). The bedding must be kept clean and dry and must be predominantly loose, so that the animals can easily use it and take dust baths. For bedding, only material may be used that do not pose a health threat to the animals and are not environmentally harmful, preferably wood shavings and straw pellets (see also Bell whitelist). For reasons of food safety and animal welfare, the material must not contain any residues (e.g. mould, mycotoxins, PCB, dioxins) or cause any injuries.

• F The stocking density at the time of entering the shed (number of chicks invoiced) is 15 birds/m2 of shed floor space (not taking into account the outdoor area). Taking into account 25% of the outdoor area towards the shed area achieves a target and guideline stocking density of max. 25 kg/m2 on the slaughter date.

• G Up to 28 days old, the shed floor space available to the birds may be restricted to the target and guideline stocking density of max. 25 kg/m2.

• H A maximum of 4,800 birds may be kept in each shed. A shed is considered a self-contained building with separate ventilation, feeding and water supply which is separated from other sheds with a solid, closed wall as a  minimum. A maximum of two sheds are permitted per farm.

Outdoor area

• A The shed must have an outdoor area. The size is at least 40% of the shed floor space required by the Animal Welfare Ordinance.

• B The outdoor area is a fully covered shed area which is completely open along the length of one longitudinal side or is bounded by wire or plastic mesh and, if necessary, is fitted with a windbreak. The open side is at least 8% of the minimum shed floor space. The outdoor area is mouse-proof and bird-proof.

• C The entire outdoor area is completely covered in bedding. Only appropriate materials may be used as bedding (see 3.1.E). To enable the third dimension to be used, additional perches of at least 5 m per 1000 birds must be provided. A drinking facility is desirable.

• D Dust bathing in the outdoor area must be possible at all times. A dust bath of 2 m2/1000 birds must be provided in a dry area. The separation must be at least 20 cm high and between 2.5 and 4 cm wide to be classified as a perch. Fine materials such as straw pellets and wood shavings are recommended for bedding. The dust bath must be at least 5 cm deep.

• E The openings from the shed to the outdoor area must be arranged such that th greatest distance an animal has to cover in order to reach the nearest opening is not more than 20 m. The total length of the openings must be at least 2 metres per 100 m2 of the shed floor space.

• F As of 14 days old, the outdoor area can be opened in the event of fine, warm weather. Once the chicks are 22 days old, the outdoor area must be permanently accessible between the following times:
  Summer (1 April – 31 October)
  Open: from 8 a.m.
  Closed: 5 p.m. at the earliest
  Minimum duration of opening = 9 hours
  Winter (1 November – 31 March)
  Open: from 9 a.m.
  Closed: 5 p.m. at the earliest
  Minimum   duration of opening = 8 hours
  All times must be documented daily in a record of free-range periods.

• G Access to the outdoor area may be restricted under the following conditions:

  • Between 22 and 28 days old: if the outdoor temperature is < 5 °C
  •  Once the chicks are 29 days old: generally open
    If access to the outdoor area is restricted, the temperature must be measured in the morning by 9 a.m. and midday between 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and documented immediately in the record of free-range periods.

• H During cold winds (e.g. Bise) and/or sub-zero temperatures, from 29 days old some of the openings can remain closed for ecological reasons, regardless of the temperature guidelines, to maintain the shed temperature. However, as a minimum, 1/3 of the flaps must be completely open during the time spent outdoors. Closure of the openings must be documented in the record of free-range periods.

Field access

• A Each chicken has at least 2 m2 of field space.

• B To preserve and care for the field, access to parts of the field may be temporarily barred. However, an area of 1 m2 per animal must be accessible at all times.

• C The accessible field must provide opportunities for refuge and cover for the chickens to protect them from the sun and birds of prey. For ecological reasons, at least half of the structures should consist of native trees, shrubs and bushes (natural vegetation, avoiding invasive shrubs). The structures must be evenly distributed across the field, with natural vegetation close to the shed.
  The distance between the shed/outdoor area openings and protective elements, as well as between the individual structures, is a maximum of 15 m. Each allowable  structure must offer at least 2 m2 of shade. In summer, the structures must provide a shaded area of at least 15 m2 per 1,000 birds during the middle of the day.

• D The total length of the openings from the outdoor area to the field must be at least 2 meters per 100 m2 of shed floor space.

• E Once the chicks are 22 days old the field is, in principle, permanently accessible between the following times:
  Summer (1 April – 31 October)
  Open: from 8 a.m.
  Closed: 5 p.m. at the earliest
  Minimum duration of opening = 9 hours
  Winter (1 November – 31 March)
  Open: from 9 a.m.
  Closed: 5 p.m. at the earliest
  Minimum   duration of opening = 8 hours
  All times must be documented daily in a record of free-range periods.

• F Access to the field may be restricted under the following conditions:

  • Between 22 and 35 days old: if the outdoor temperature is < 10 °C
  • Once the chicks are 36 days old: if the outdoor temperature is < 0 °C
    If access to the field is restricted, the temperature must be measured in the
    morning by 9 a.m. and midday between 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and documented immediately in the record of free-range periods.

• G Access to the field in the morning can be restricted during and after heavy rainfall.
  However, access must be made permanently available again from 1 p.m. at the
  latest.
  H In the event of compact and complete snow cover, the producer decides at their own discretion whether or not to open the field run.

• I All deviations from the standard time spent outdoors must be documented daily by

Animal feed and feeding

• A Mixed feeds may only be procured from feed manufacturers who produce feed in
  accordance with the Coop Naturafarm Animal Feed Guideline, declare the feed as Naturafarm-compliant on the label and delivery note, and implement an effective quality assurance system in line with a guideline approved by the Federal Office in accordance with the Ordinance on the Production and Marketing of Feedstuffs (Feed; SR 916.307) for good practice in the manufacturing of animal feed. The producer must obtain from its feed supplier a signed confirmation of this (see 9.B) and file the document in the producer’s folder2 .
  B Feeding should guarantee harmonious development, good health and optimal
  meat/fat quality. Feed content and composition meet the latest ecological and nutritional findings. In this way, animal excretions put as little strain on the field as possible.
  C The animals must be fed in accordance with their needs (in accordance with the performance and quality criteria under point 3.A). This is intended to ensure the health, performance and best-possible feed efficiency under the given practical conditions and to avoid wasting resources.

• D The feed contains only components that are permitted in accordance with the Coop Naturafarm Animal Feed Guideline. It is desirable for suppliers of mixed feed to prioritize raw components of regional origin wherever possible.
  Physical producer’s folders and digital producer’s folders are equal and are both referred to as ‘producer’s folder’ in this

• E Minerals and vitamins must be administered as required to meet the animals’ needs. Supplementation with specific vitamins and minerals is subject to the maximum permitted values (in accordance with the applicable Coop Naturafarm Animal Feed Guideline).

• F Mixed feed and drinking water on the producer’s farm may not be supplemented with minerals and vitamins. Exceptions include the targeted administration of vitamins and minerals in the event of health problems in the flock. They may only be administered in consultation with the Bell advisory or health service and must be documented in the producer’s folder.

• G As of 22 days old, wheat or corn grains must be scattered daily in the shed or outdoor area.

• H Wheat or corn grains for scattering may originate from the producer’s own farm or must be procured from the feed mill agreed with Bell in accordance with Section 4.A. In exceptional cases, grains may be procured from a feed supplier that is not involved in the Coop Naturafarm programmed. The feed seller must guarantee in writing on the purchase certificate that the corresponding feed is not genetically modified and meets the additional requirements of the applicable Coop Naturafarm Animal  Feed Guideline.

• I Withdrawal feed must contain at least 65% cereal, which may include up to 15% cereal products.

• J The inspection body regularly collects random samples of feed to monitor the use of feed.

Animal health and handling

• A Medicines are administered exclusively under veterinary supervision and require an indication. Relevant indications and treatment methods must be documented by the producer in the treatment log.
  B The prophylactic administration of drugs is prohibited. Medication can only be obtained from the farm vet and must be approved in Switzerland.
  C Medication which has been partially used or which can no longer be used must be returned to the farm vet once the animal has been treated.
  D After the animal has received medical treatment, the legal withdrawal period must be strictly observed. The withdrawal period must be recorded in writing by the vet. Bell (slaughterhouse) must be notified without delay of the use of substances that require a withdrawal period.
  E In consultation with Bell, Coop may prohibit the use of certain medicinal products and active ingredients if appropriate alternative treatment methods are available.
  F Anticoccidial drugs are permitted in compliance with the legal withdrawal periods. As soon as alternative treatment methods prove to be practical, Coop reserves the right to prohibit the use of anticoccidial drugs.
  G Antimicrobial and hormonal growth promoters used for preventive purposes are expressly prohibited.
  H Chickens may receive the vaccinations customary in Switzerland while being reared.

• I Trimming beaks or debeaking, along with wing clipping, are prohibited.

Capturing/loading and transporting the animals

• A The transport boxes must be carefully brought into the shed and the closure of the side openings must be checked.
  B The animals must not be fed for a minimum of 10 and maximum of 11 hours before their arrival in the slaughterhouse according to the call notifying of collection for slaughter.

• C Drinking facilities must be available until the birds are packed.

• D The animals are caught by people with good training. Any excitement and noise must be avoided. When catching the birds, 1 to max. 2 chickens should be caught using both hands and carefully placed in the transport box.
  E Blue light can make it easier to capture them.
  F The stocking density per transport box must be at least 160 cm2 per kg live weight for birds with a live weight of over 1600 g. The transport boxes must be a minimum of 24 cm tall.
  G The stress caused to the birds by the shed climate must be kept minimal during
  packing (leave the shed ventilation running, enable fresh air to get in during hot weather).
  H After packing all of the birds, the transport containers must be loaded onto the transport vehicle as swiftly as possible. The well-sealed transport containers must
  be lifted carefully and jolts due to rough handling of the containers must be avoided.

• I After loading, the animals must be taken immediately and directly to the slaughterhouse.

• J In hot weather, ventilation must be ensured in the transport vehicle. The birds must be protected from wet and cold in poor weather conditions. The lower half of the back row is particularly at risk from this.

• K The SUISSE GARANTIE suitability of the animals must be confirmed on the shed sheet.

Slaughterhouse

• A With regard to slaughter, please refer to the applicable slaughterhouse guideline from the inspection body for livestock from Swiss Animal Protection SAP.

Inspection and supervision

Coop Naturafarm producer’s folder

• A Every producer undertakes to record all documents in the Coop Naturafarm
  producer’s folder (hereinafter ‘producer’s folder’). This refers to a physical producer’s folder and/or a digital producer’s folder. Both are obtained from Bell. Producers are advised to use the digital producer’s folder in future.

• B Whether physical or digital, it must be possible to present the documents at any time on the producer’s premises for reviewing inspections.

• C All of the documentation listed in the producer’s folder (producer’s folder overview or producer’s folder tab) must be complete and up to date. These documents must be stored at the farm, either physically or digitally, for at least 3 years.

• D The producer must enter the following information in the shed log daily:

  • Date on which the flock was first housed in the shed
  • The number of birds housed in the shed
  • Time spent outdoors
  • Departures
  • Health and behavioral issues
  • Diseases and treatment methods (medication)
  • Deviations from the standards and requirements (e.g. restricted access to runs, etc.) with the corresponding reasons
  • Name and address of farm vet
  • Inspection visits

Inspection organization

• A As the programme founder, Coop shall commission an organization that is independent of both trade and production to inspect the producers and Coop’s contracting parties. The inspection body commissioned must be accredited in accordance with EN/ISO 17020 (2004).
• B Every Coop Naturafarm farm must be approved by the inspection body in unacceptance inspection prior to birds entering the shed.
• C The inspection body, representatives of Coop and Bell must be allowed unrestricted access to the entire farm and all documents at any time.
• D If this guideline cannot be met due to exceptional circumstances, the producer must notify the inspection body of this immediately.
• E Unannounced audits by the inspection body are carried out at least once a year.
• F Any shortcomings that lead to a provisional recognition in accordance with the recognition criteria result in a follow-up inspection. Repeated minor deficiencies may result in additional audits.

Sanctions

• A Non-compliance with the Coop Naturafarm Chicken Guideline will result in sanctions for the producer in question. These will be determined by Coop and issued by Bell. Depending on the severity of the case, this may take the form of a written warning, a contractual penalty, an embargo on deliveries under the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programmed or exclusion from the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programmed.
• B In order for a delivery embargo to be lifted, Bell must register the farm for readmission with Coop once the embargo has expired. Coop will then decide which extraordinary inspections will take place.
• C Exclusion of a producer is undertaken by Bell in consultation with Coop and the inspection body and after the producer has stated their case.

Naturafarm Guideline amendments and references

• A The applicable Coop Naturafarm Basic Standards Guideline forms the basis of the Coop Naturafarm Chicken programme.

• B The applicable Coop Naturafarm Animal Feed Guideline applies to all Naturafarm
  producers. The current confirmation for feed suppliers is available in the producer’s folder. If Bell changes the Coop Naturafarm Animal Feed Guideline, the confirmation for feed suppliers must be obtained again and made available to all of the producers.

• C This Coop Naturafarm Chicken Guideline will be amended in the event of new findings in humane animal husbandry and technological progress in chicken farming. Any amendments are made between Coop, Bell, a producer representative and the inspection body.

• D Bell will notify its producers in writing about amendments to all Naturafarm Guidelines.

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