VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

TRANSPORT OF POULTRY BY RAIL, ROAD AND AIR

• Rule 76: Definition - In this Chapter unless the context otherwise requires, "Poultry" includes day old chicks and turkey poults, chickens, quails, guinea fowls, ducks, geese and turkeys.
• Rule 77: General requirement in transport of poultry by rail, road or air.
  • These rules may be called the Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001.
  • They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette .
  • In the Transport of Animal Rules 1978 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), after chapter VI,. the following chapters shall be inserted, namely
  • the container shall be properly cleaned and sterilised before the poultry is placed in them.
  • poultry shall not be exposed to the sunlight, rain and direct blast of air during transport.
  • poultry shall not be transported when the temperature exceeds 25 degree Celsius or when the temperature falls below 15 degree Celsius.
• Rule 78: Day-old chicks and turkey poults
  • In transport of day old chicks and poultry by rail, road and air
  • chicks and poults shall be packed and dispatched immediately after hatching and shall not be stored in boxes for any length of time, before dispatch.
    • Note: In the said transport endeavor shall be made by the consignor or his agent so that consignments shall arrive at destination within the shortest possible time after being taken out of the incubator. Seventy two hours shall normally be regarded as the maximum period to be taken from incubator to brooder in winter and 48 hours in summer
  • chicks or poults shall not be fed or watered before and during transportation.
  • every effort shall be made to ensure that chicks and poults arrive as quickly as possible at the dispatching site
  • personal attention shall be given by the consignor or the forwarding agent to ensure that all consignments are kept out of direct sunlight, rain and heat;
  • care shall be taken to carry the boxes in a level position so that l hicks are not in danger of falling over on to their backs. The putting up of other merchandise over and around chick boxes shall be avoided.
• Rule 79: Poultry other than day-old chicks and turkey poults
  • In transport of poultry other than day old chicks and turkey poult by rail, road or air.
  • the poultry to be transported shall be healthy and in good condition and shall be examined and certified by a veterinary doctor for freedom from infectious diseases and fitness to undertake the journey.
  • poultry transported in the same container shall be of the same species and of the same age group.
  • poultry shall be properly fed and watered before it is placed in containers for transportation and extra food and water shall be provided in suitable troughs fixed in the containers.
  • arrangements shall be made for watering and feeding during transportation and during hot weather; watering shall be ensured every six hours;
  • male stock shall not be transported with female stock in the same container.
• Rule 80: Road Travel
  • In transport of poultry by road the container shall not be placed one on the top of the other and shall be covered properly in order to provide light, ventilation and to protect from rain, heat and cold air.
• Rule 81:Rail Travel
  • In transport of poultry by rail
  • in case the journey is for more than twelve hours, an attendant shall accompany the consignment;
  • poultry shall not be exposed to rain or direct blast of air;
  • as far as possible poultry shall be transported in wagons having adequate facilities for ventilation and no other merchandise which may result in mortality of birds shall be loaded in the same wagon;
• Rule 82:Air travel
  • In transport of poultry by air or for international transport the containers carrying poultry shall be kept in pressurized compartments with regulated temperature and the container shall preferably be kept near the door and shall be unloaded immediately on arrival.
• Rule 83:Containers for transportation
  • In transport of poultry by rain, road or air
  • containers used to transport poultry shall be made of such material which shall not collapse or crumble and they shall be well ventilated and designed to protect the health of poultry by giving it adequate space and safety.
  • the containers shall be so designed as to render impossible for birds to crowd into the comers during transportation, and to avoid the danger of boxes being stocked so close together as to interfere with ventilation.
  • all the containers shall be clearly labelled showing the name, address and telephone number of the consignor and the consignee.
  • the minimum floor space per bird and the dimension of the containers for transporting poultry shall be specified in the Table below, namely:

S.No.	Kind of Poultry	Minimum	Demension
		Floor space cm2	Length cm	Width cm	Height cm	Number in a container
i.	Month old chickens	75	60	30	18	24
ii.	Three month old chickens	230	55	50	35	12
iii.	Adult sock (excluding geese and turkeys)	480	115	50	45	12
iv.	Geese and turkeys	900	120	75	75	10 youngs
		1300	75	35	75	2 growing
		1900	55	35	75	1 grown up
v.	Chicks	-	60	45	12	80
vi.	Poult	-	60	45	12	60

• Rule 84
  • Special requirement of containers for chicks and poultry In transport of poultry by road, rail or air
  • wire mesh or a net of any material shall not be used as bottom for the containers.
  • the containers shall be properly secured to avoid pilferage
  • the following instruction shall be printed on a label and fixed to the lid or printed directly on sides, namely "Care in Transit".
  • the consignee shall be informed about the train, transport or flight number and its time of arrival well in advance.
  • poultry shall not be transported continuously for more than 6 hours and whole batch shall be inspected at every 6 hours interval
  • the transportation shall not remain stationary for more than 30 min and during this period, it shall be parked in shade and arrangement shall be made for feeding and watering.
  • all precautions against fire shall be taken and provision of fire extinguishers in transport shall be provided.