KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2302 : 2023  
ICS 67.140.10  
Second Edition  
 
 © KEBS 2023   
 Transport of small and medium sized birds 
- code of practice  
 
 DKS 2302 : 2023  
ii © KEBS 2023  – All rights reserved  
 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
Ministry of Health ― Food Safety Unit  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute  
National Public Health Laboratory  
Government Chemist’s Department  
Farmer’s Choice (K) Ltd.  
University of Nairobi — Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology  
Consumer Information Network  
Kenchic (K) Ltd.  
Kenya Meat Commission  
Directorate of Livestock Production  
Directorate of Veterinary Services  
Kenya Nut Company  ― Morendat farm  
Meat Training institute  
Choice Meats Ltd.  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards should  be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome.  
© Kenya Bureau of Standards  2023 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of 2001 of  the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Sta ndards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any mea ns without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director.   KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2302 : 2023  
ICS 67.140.10  
Second Edition  
 
© KEBS 2023 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Transport of small and medium sized birds - 
code of practice  
 
 
  Kenya Bureau of Standards,  Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road,  
P.O. Box 54974 - 00200,  Nairobi, Kenya  
 +254 020 6948000, + 254 722202137, + 254 734600471  
 info@kebs.org  
 @KEBS_ke  
 kenya bureau of standards (kebs)  
DKS 2302 : 2023  
iv © KEBS 2023  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Meat and Poultry products  Technical Committee under the guidance 
of the Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau of 
Standards  
Small and medium sized birds include gallinaceous birds like pheasant, partridges, quails and  
guinea fowls, and passerine and psittacine birds like munias, bulbuls, budgerigars, parrots, love birds and  
weaver birds. These birds are used for various purposes, such as pets, exhibits, game and food. In view of the  
increasing demand for these birds, they are frequently required to be transported. As transport requirements of  
small and medium sized birds are similar, a common code is being prescribed for their transport.  
In the preparation of this standard, the following sources were consulted extensively:  
IS 5237:1969 (R2000), Code for Transport of Small and Medium Sized Seed -eating Birds.  
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from these sources . 
 DKS 2302 : 2023    
 
© KEBS 2023 – All rights reserved   
 Transport of small and medium sized birds - code of practice  
 
1 Scope  
This Kenya Standard lays down the guidelines for the transport of live small and medium sized  wild birds in 
captivity by rail, road, water and air.  
 
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated  
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document  
(including any amendments) applies.  
 
EAS 12, Drinking (potable water) — Specification  
 
3 Definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions should  apply:  
3.1 
birds  
only medium and small sized seed -eating birds  
3.1.1  
small size birds  
include passerine and psittacine birds like munias, bulbuls, budgerigars, parrots, love birds and weaver birds,  
etc. 
3.1.2  
medium size birds  
include gallinaceous birds like pheasant, partridges, quails and guinea and guinea fowls  
 
4 General provisions  
4.1 Birds to be transported should be healthy and in good condition. They sh ould be examined and certified by  
a qualified person for freedom from contagious and infectious diseases and their fitness to undertake the  
journey.  Birds that are lethargic, crouched, or fluffed in 20 minutes of captivity should not be transported .  
4.2 Birds that do not eat or drink during the first hour of captivity should not be transported . 
 
4.3 Birds transported in the same cage should  be of the same species and maintained in compatible groups.  
4.4 Birds should  be preferably transported in pairs. Many males of the same species should  not be transported  
in the same container. Only one pair of gallinaceous birds should  be transported in each cage or container.  
4.5 Suitable perching arrangements should  be made in the cage while transporting passerine and psittacine  
birds like parrots, budgerigars, bulbuls, mynahs and munias.  Perches and other contents in carriers should be 
securely fastened to avoid bouncing.  
4.6 Birds should  be properly fed and watered before they are packed in containers for transportation. Extra  
feed and water should be provided in suitable troughs in the cages  for journeys longer than an hour . 
4.7 The containers should  be properly cleaned and sterilized before the birds are placed in them. The use of  
injurious cleaning agents should be avoided.  
4.8 Birds should  be placed in containers shortly before transportation to minimize the injury due to fluttering.  
4.9 Arrangements should  be made for the watering, feeding and cleaning the cages during the journey.  
4.10  The transporter should acquire  relevant documents and permits required  for the smooth transportation of 
birds  
4.11  When transporting chicks or nestlings a protected heat source should be provided. It should be of a design 
that cannot burn the birds, and there must be room for the birds to move away from it.  
4.12 If it is  necessary to restrain the wings, the technique should not impair the bird’s ability to breath or  
regulate its body temperature.  
4.13 Containers should   be sterilized before and after use .   
ii © KEBS 2023  – All rights reserved  
 4.14 Diurnal birds should be transported at night when they are less active and when both ambient  temperatures 
and their own body temperatures are likely to be low.   
4.15 The trip should be planned well in advance to minimize the number of transfers and delays and  to ensure 
that a person competent to provide appropriate care is available to meet the shipment  upon its arrival.  
Multiday shipping may require a qualified person to accompany  the shipment to resolve unexpected problems.  
4.16 To avoid delays, all permits, health certificates, and other  documents should be obtained and completed 
before shipping. There should be a contingency  plan to assure the birds’ safety and comfort should unforeseen 
delays arise.    
 
 
 
5 Road transport  
5.1 This mode of transport may be adopted only when the birds are to be transported over short journeys  
requiring 4 to 6 h.  
5.2 In road journey, in public service vehicle, the birds should  be placed in a proper cage or container. The  
cage containing birds should  not be put on the roof of the vehicle but should  be put inside the vehicle easily  
approachable for inspection during transit.  
5.3 The drivers should drive safely to minimize disturbance to birds  
5.4 An attendant should  be present at all times during transit and should  ensure that proper transit conditions  
are observed.  
5.5 The birds should not be exposed to adverse weather conditions (sunlight, rain, direct blast of air and  
extreme temperatures) during transport . 
 
6 Rail transport  
6.1 In case the journey is for more than twelve hours, an attendant should  accompany the consignments.  
6.2 The birds should not be exposed to adverse weather conditions (sunlight, rain, direct blast of air and  
extreme temperatures) during transport.  
  
7 Air transport  
7.1 The cages should  be properly cleaned and sterilized before the birds are placed in the cage or container.  
7.2 For international transport, the containers carrying birds should be kept in pressurized compartment with  
regulated temperature and preferably kept near the door.  
 
8 Water transport  
8.1 In case the journey is for more than 12 h, an attendant should  accompany the consignment.  
8.2 As far as possible poultry should  be transported in containers having adequate facilities for ventilation and  
no other merchandise which may result in mortality of birds should  be loaded in the same wagon.  
 
9 Containers and cages for transportation  
9.1 Cages, containers and crates used to transport birds should  be of such material as will not collapse or  
crumble. They should  be well ventilated and designed to protect the health of the birds by giving them adequate  
space and safety.   
9.2 A container should be clean and free of protrusions that might cause injury. It should  offer easy access for 
care and removal of the animals in an emergency but must be designed to  prevent escape.  
There should be enough headroom in any container that the bird can adopt a normal  posture and carry out 
comfort and maintenance activities.  Some small birds may be given  enough room to fly up and down the 
perches.  
 
9.3 Labelling of containers  
All containers should  be clearly labelled showing the name, address and telephone number of the consignor 
and the consignee and marked 'LIVE STOCK' in bold capital red letters and with such details as are necessary 
for the well -being of the birds.