PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
 
1 Scope  
This c ode covers the handling and processing of hatching eggs from the time of 
receiving up to the  dispatch  of day -old chicks/poults  in hatchery  operation . This  
code  also includes the hatching eggs from game fowl.  
 
2 Objectives  
This standard sets out the general principles of good pra ctice and minimum 
requirements for the production of safe and dis ease -free day -old chicks/poults in 
hatcher y operations .  
This  also  aims to promote food safety, workers health and animal welfare  through 
mitigating contamin ation.  
 
3 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 
amendme nts applies.  
Republic Act 10631, Amended Animal Welfare Act of 1998  
 
4 Definition of terms  
 
4.1 
competent authority  
bureau or agency, mandated by law to implement Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) 
measures  
 
4.2 
hatchery  
establishment  which incubates and hatch es eggs and supplies day -old chicks/poults  
 
4.3 
poult  
A young domestic chicken, turkey, pheasant, or other fowl being raised for food  
  
4.4 
rejected chicks/poults  PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
injured chicks/poults  and/or those with congenital defects  
 
4.5 
veterinary drugs  
any substanc e applied or administered to any food -producing animal, whether used 
for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes, or modification of 
physiological fun ctions or behavior  
 
5 Minimum requirements  
 
5.1 site selection  
 
The hatchery  should:  
 
5.1.1 Be within the ap proved land use plan of the local government and should be 
compliant with national regulations , e.g. DENR, etc., and other regulatory 
bodies.  
 
5.1.2 Have a continuous  supply of adequate power, potable drinking water (water 
quality) and all-weather road . 
 
5.1.3 Not be prone to flooding. Perimeter canals that drain to a closed lagoon may 
be constructed to prevent runoff from contaminating bodies of water and/or 
adjacent farms /establishment . 
 
5.1.4 Not be near  slaughterhouse facilities , dressing plants and processing plants.  
 
5.1.5 Not be on a site that could be a possible source of physical, chemical and 
microbiological hazards.  
 
5.1.6 Existing hatchery  that are not in  compliance with 5.1.1 to 5.1. 5 should have 
full control of the risks and ensure that there are mitigation measures in 
place. 
 
 
5.2 Hatchery facility  
 
5.2.1 The fence, including its posts and gates, should be effectively designed to 
prevent entry of unauthorized person and stray animals. Keep doors and 
gates locked at all times during off hours.  
 
5.2.2 The hatchery should be physically and operationally separate from poultry 
rearing facilities, if the hatchery is within the poultry rearing establishment.  
 PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
5.2.3 The hatchery should  be constructed and maintained to provide a safe and 
clean environment for chicks/poults . 
 
5.2.4 The hatchery should  be appro priately and effectively ventilated.  
 
5.2.5 Internal temperature of chick /poults  holding areas should  be controlled and 
monitored.  
 
5.2.6 Surfaces within hatchery should  be in good condition and can be easily 
clean ed. 
 
5.2.7 Drains in production areas should be  accessible a nd easy to clean.  
 
5.2.8 Hatchery should  be lit to allow normal behaviors , rest and effective 
inspection of chicks/poults . 
 
5.2.9 Chick area should  be of sufficient size.  
 
5.2.10  An alternative power supply should  be available which is capable of 
supplying all essential elec trical systems within the hatchery.  
 
5.2.11  Electrical installations should  be tested regularly.  
 
5.2.12  Incubation equipment should have an alarm system in case of failure.  
 
5.2.13  Fire prevention measures should  be taken.  
 
5.2.14  The hatchery should have a dedicated egg store and a  designed setter room.  
 
5.2.15  There should be an emergency water supply.  
 
 
5.3 Animal Health and welfare  
 
Hatchery should comply with the provisions stated in amended Animal Welfare Act 
of 2013 (RA 10631).  
 
5.3.1 Hatcheries should have a monitoring program for diseases re commended by 
the competent authority . 
 
5.3.2 Chicks/poults  should  be handled in a way that avoids injury and minimizes 
stress.  
 PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
5.3.3 All persons looking after the health and welfare of chicks/poults  should  be 
competent.  
 
5.3.4 Rejected  chicks/poults  should  be handled and d isposed in accordance with 
the Animal Welfare Act.  
 
5.4 Veterinary drugs  
 
5.4.1 Veterinary drugs  should be administered by a licensed veterinarian or 
trained personnel . 
 
5.4.2 Veterinary drugs  should  be kept in a designated area i n accordance with the 
manufacturers’ inst ructions.  
 
5.4.3 Empty  vials/containers and used needles and blades  should  be stored safely 
pending disposal and be disposed of responsibly.  
 
5.4.4 Records  pertaining to use of veterinary drugs  should  be kept and maintained.  
 
5.5 Staff and labour providers  
 
5.5.1 Systems should  be in place to ensure that all new staff are effectively trained 
and deemed competent to carry out the activities they are employed to do.  
 
5.5.2 The performance and competence of staff should  be regularly reviewed and 
refresher training implemented as required . 
 
5.5.3 Records of training should  be kept.  
 
5.6 Biosecurity and disease control  
 
5.6.1 Control measures should  be in place to minimize the spread of disease within 
the hatchery and between other hatcheries and farms.  
 
5.6.2 Inside traffic should always flow from “clean” areas  to “dirty” areas.  
 
5.6.3 Access to the hatchery  should  be lim ited to essential visitors only. V isitor  
logbook should  be kept  and maintained . 
 
5.6.4 Appropriate working uniform/attire and footwear should be provided to 
workers or visitors who need to be at the pr ocess ing area.  
 PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
5.6.5 Foot bath and hand wash ing facilities should be available at entr y and exit 
points. Regular monitoring of such me asures should be implemented and 
maintained . 
 
5.6.6 Wash room s should be available and kept clean at all times.  
 
5.6.7 There should be a dedica ted vehicle transporting hatching eggs from breeder 
farm to hatchery . Vehicle  should be cleaned and disinfected  inside and 
outside.  
 
5.6.8 There should be wheel dips or wheel spraying facilities at  the entrance and 
only necessary vehicles should be allowed onto  the premises.  Use an 
appropriately disinfectant solution. Replace the wheel dip regularly to avoid 
dilution or contamination.  
 
5.6.9 Ensure that all new and used equipment is thoroughly cleaned and 
disinfected before entering the hatchery. Mobile equipment bro ught onto the 
site from other hatcheries or units should  be washed, disinfected, and dried 
before entering.  
 
5.6.10  Staff should  not keep or have contact with other poultry or any avian species.  
 
5.6.11  The establishment should have a designated area for smoking, eating  and 
drinking.  
 
5.7 Sanitation program  
 
5.7.1 The entire hatchery should be kept in a neat, orderly condition, and cleaned 
and disinfected after each hatch.  
 
5.7.2 The egg room walls, ceilings, floors, air filters, drains, and humidifiers should 
be clean ed and disinfected  regularly.  
 
5.7.3 The incubator /hatcher  room walls, ceilings, floors, fan grills, vents and ducts 
should be cleaned and disinfected after each set or transfer. Do not use 
incubator /hatcher  rooms for storage.  
 
5.7.4 Egg trays should be cleaned and disinfected after ea ch transfer.  
 
5.7.5 The following should be clean ed and disinfected:  
 
5.7.5.1  Processing equipment and rooms after each hatch;  
5.7.5.2  Chick/poult boxes before reusing; and  
5.7.5.3  vaccination equipment after use.  PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
 
5.7.6 Hatchery waste , such as chick/poult down, eggshells, infertile eggs, a nd dead  
eggs (penoy) , should be disposed of properly and in a manner approved by 
the competent authority.   
 
5.7.7 Chicks/poults  should be kept separately from the incubation room for a 
period  of time after hatching.  
 
5.7.8 Any  nutritive material provided to chicks/pou lts should be  certified free of 
avian pathogens.  
 
5.7.9    The egg room walls, ceiling, floor, door, heater, and humidifier should be 
cleaned and disinfected after every pickup. The egg processing area should be 
cleaned and disinfected daily.  
 
5.7.10  Ensure that egg p rocessing building or area is designed, located, and 
constructed of materials that allow for proper egg sanitation procedures and 
easy, effective, and routine sanitation of the building itself.  
 
5.8 Vermin control  
 
5.8.1 The hatchery’s construction should be as verm in-proof as possible – 
including protection against rodents, wild birds, or insects that are 
destructive, annoying or injurious to health.  
 
5.8.2 Maintain a vermin control plan that includes frequent monitoring of rodent, 
bird, or insect activity. Install adequa te rodent bait and traps when there is 
evidence of rodent activity.  Bait should  be used responsibly.  
 
5.8.3 There should be an insect control program. Use insecticide if necessary  and 
as per manufactu rer’s instructions .  
 
5.8.4 Keep the area around the hatchery free f rom vegetation, debris, and unused 
equipment.  
 
5.8.5 Pets and other animals should  not have access to hatchery buildings.  
 
5.9 Hatchery eggs  
 
5.9.1  Incoming h atchery  eggs   
 
5.9.1.1  Hatchery eggs should be free  from diseases specified by the competent 
authority (e.g. Salmonella, N D, AI) .  
 PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
5.9.1.2  All incoming eggs should  be from accredited breeder farms  or certified 
farms . 
 
5.9.1.3  One way product flow should  be maintained from egg receipt to chick 
dispatch.  
 
5.9.1.4  Incoming air should  be filtered. A positive airflow from eggs to 
chicks/poults  should  be maintained.  
 
5.9.1.5  Differentiation should  be maintained between clean and dirty areas.  
 
5.9.1.6  All eggs should  be fumigated or sanitized prior to setting.  
 
5.9.1.7  Incubation hatcher and setter equipment should  be easy to clean, in good 
working order and sealed to the floor.  
 
5.9.1.8  Egg should  be stored in a temperature and humidity controlled room.  
 
5.9.1.9  Hatching eggs should  be identifiable.  
 
5.9.1.10  The hatchery should  retain production records for each consignment of 
eggs.  
 
5.10 Transport of Day -old chicks/poults  
 
5.10.1  Chicks/poults  should be loaded ont o clean chick boxes.  
 
5.10.2  All vehicles used for transporting eggs or chicks/poults  should be cleaned 
and disinfected after use.  
 
5.10.3  Eggs should be collected and chicks/poults  should be delivered in purpose 
built vehicles.  
 
5.10.4  A vehicle cleaning and sanitation policy  should be  in place.  
 
5.11 Records and Document ation  
 
5.11.1  Chicks/poults  should be identified and records kept to maintain traceability.  
 
5.11.2  A documented plan for the effective management of serious incidents and 
potential emergency situations that threaten the welfare  of workers and 
birds, food safety or the environment should  be in place.  
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bibliography:  
 
DA-BAI Administrative Circular No. 7 Series of 2016, Guidelines in the BAI Certification 
of Poultry Hatchery Facilities  
 PHILIPPINE NATIONA L STANDARD                                                           PNS/BAFS  
Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Hatchery      
Working draft 060417  
OIE, T errestrial Animal Health – Hygiene and Disease Security Procedures in Poultry 
Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries, 2015  
 
USDA, Best Management Practices Handbook  
 
Red Tractor Assurance, Chicken Standards: Hatchery, October 1, 2017