Poultry Hatcheries Regulations, 1948.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

num: 1
paragraphs: These Regulations may be cited as the Poultry Hatcheries Regulations, 1948.
COMMENCEMENT.
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paragraphs: These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of December, 1948.
DEFINITIONS.
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paragraphs: In these Regulations :—
the expression " the Act " means the Poultry Hatcheries Act, 1947 (No. 49 of 1947) ;
the word " acquire " includes purchase and also includes acquiring or obtaining by barter, exchange or any other means ;
the word " birds " means domestic fowls ;
the word " chickens " means birds up to the age of eight weeks ;
the word " cockerels " means male birds between the ages of eight weeks and eighteen months ;
the word " pullets " means female birds between the ages of eight weeks and eighteen months ;
the word " cocks " means male birds over the age of eighteen months ;
the word " hens " means female birds over the age of eighteen months ;
the expression " supply farm " means an egg supply farm for which a provisional permit is in force.
EXEMPTION FROM LICENSING AS POULTRY HATCHERIES.
num: 4
paragraphs: Poultry hatcheries of the following classes shall be exempted from subsection (1) of section 8 of the Act :—
(a) any poultry hatchery the total incubator capacity of which is less than 300 eggs other than such a poultry hatchery which operates as an adjunct of a particular supply farm and engages in the distribution of chickens by sale or otherwise ;
(b) any poultry hatchery operating as an adjunct of a particular approved poultry station under the Poultry Stations Scheme administered by a County Committee of Agriculture ;
(c) any poultry hatchery which the Minister is satisfied is operating for experimental or educational purposes.
PRESCRIBED FORMS.
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paragraphs: Every application for a poultry hatchery licence or a provisional permit shall be made in such one of the Forms set out in Schedule No. 1 hereto as is appropriate to the particular application and shall contain the particulars prescribed by that Form and shall, when duly completed by the applicant, be lodged (together with the appropriate fee) with the Minister at his office in Dublin.
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paragraphs: The records to be kept at every licensed poultry hatchery shall be in the Forms P.H.2 and P.H. 3 set out in Schedule No. 2 hereto and the entries which shall be made in the said records shall be those indicated in the said Forms and such entries shall—
(a) in the case of Form P.H.2 be made within twenty-four hours after the hatching of any eggs set, for incubation at the hatchery, and
(b) in the case of Form P.H.3 be made within twenty-four hours after the despatch of any chickens from the hatchery.
num: 7
paragraphs: The records to be kept at every supply farm shall be in the Forms S.F.2, S.F.3, S.F.4, S.F.5, S.F.6, S.F.7, and S.F.8, set out in Schedule No. 3 hereto and the entries which shall be made in the said records shall be those indicated in the said Forms and such entries shall—
(a) in the case of Form S.F.2 be made on such date as shall be specified on the Form,
(b) in the case of Form S.F.6 be made daily, and
(c) in the case of Forms S.F.3, S.F.4, S.F.5, S.F.7, and S.F.8, be made within twenty-four hours after the occurrence of the events to which they relate.
num: 8
paragraphs: A docket in such one of Form P.H. 4 or Form P.H. 5 set out in Schedule No. 4 as is appropriate shall be made out in triplicate at every licensed poultry hatchery in respect of any eggs acquired for hatching at and any chickens despatched from such hatchery and the three parts of such docket shall be dealt with in the following manner, that is to say:—
(a) the original of such docket shall be delivered or posted to the person from whom the eggs have been acquired or to whom the chickens have been despatched within twenty-four hours of the arrival of the eggs at or the despatch of the chickens from the hatchery.
(b) the first copy thereof shall be lodged with the Minister at his office in Dublin within seven days of the arrival of the eggs at or the despatch of the chickens from the hatchery, and
(c) the second copy thereof shall be retained at the hatchery and shall be available for inspection by an inspector.
num: 9
paragraphs: A docket in the Form S.F. 9 set out in Schedule No. 5 hereto shall be made out in duplicate at every supply farm in respect of any hatching eggs despatched from such farm and the two parts of such docket shall be dealt with in the following manner, that is to say:—
(a) the original of such docket bearing the impression of the appropriate stamp supplied by the Minister shall be delivered or posted to the person to whom the eggs have been despatched within twenty-four hours of the despatch of the eggs, and
(b) the first copy thereof shall be retained at the farm and shall be available for inspection by an inspector.
REGULATIONS AS REGARDS THE OPERATION OF A LICENSED POULTRY HATCHERY.
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paragraphs: Eggs, other than eggs of domestic fowls, shall not be incubated at a licensed poultry hatchery.
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paragraphs: An egg which weighs less than 2 ounces or an egg more than ten days old or a dirty, badly shaped or defectively shelled egg shall not be incubated at a licensed poultry hatchery.
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paragraphs: An egg acquired from a supply farm shall not be incubated at a licensed poultry hatchery unless such egg bears the impression of the stamp supplied by the Minister for use on such farm.
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paragraphs: All infertile eggs and incubator waste and all dead, weak, malformed and abnormal chickens at a licensed poultry hatchery shall be disposed of in accordance with directions issued by the Minister or an inspector.
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paragraphs: Any measures as to the method of handling, treating and disposing of eggs at a licensed poultry hatchery, which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall be adopted.
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paragraphs: Only vigorous chickens free from obvious deformity shall be distributed from a licensed poultry hatchery.
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paragraphs: Boxes, other than new boxes, shall not be used for the despatch of chickens from a licensed poultry hatchery.
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paragraphs: Unless the Minister or an inspector otherwise directs, chickens shall not be retained at a licensed poultry hatchery for longer than forty-eight hours and during the period of retention shall be retained in a section of such hatchery effectively isolated from the incubator and sexing rooms.
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paragraphs: A licensed poultry hatchery shall not acquire chickens from other licensed poultry hatcheries except with the prior permission of the Minister.
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paragraphs: Poultry other than chickens acquired in accordance with Article 18 of these Regulations shall not be brought into a licensed poultry hatchery or retained there.
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paragraphs: All poultry, other than birds approved as part of the stock at a supply farm, shall be excluded from the lands on which a licensed poultry hatchery is situated.
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paragraphs: Any chicken sexing of pure breeds at a licensed poultry hatchery shall be carried out in a room provided and used for that purpose only and such room shall be fitted with a wash-hand basin, running water, receptacles for chicken fæces and all necessary facilities for cleansing, disinfection and sterilisation.
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paragraphs: Every licensed poultry hatchery and all incubating and other equipment therein shall be kept in good order and repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.
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paragraphs: The cleansing, disinfection or sterilisation of a licensed poultry hatchery and of the incubating and other equipment therein shall be carried out in accordance with directions issued by the Minister or an inspector.
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paragraphs: Measures for the effective control of vermin shall be adopted at every licensed poultry hatchery.
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paragraphs: The operatives at every licensed poultry hatchery shall wear suitable clothing which shall be washed and disinfected as often as may be required.
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paragraphs: Any measures for the prevention of poultry disease at or spread of poultry disease within or from a licensed poultry hatchery, which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall be adopted.
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paragraphs: An inspector may at all reasonable times inspect chickens and eggs at a licensed poultry hatchery and in the case of suspected disease may remove from such hatchery such specimens of chickens and eggs as may be necessary for the purpose of diagnosis.
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paragraphs: Evidence of poultry disease at a licensed poultry hatchery shall not be removed or destroyed or disguised for the purpose of concealing such disease.
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paragraphs: Any outbreak of disease amongst chickens at a licensed poultry hatchery or amongst chickens distributed from such hatchery and any case of suspected infectious or contagious disease amongst such chickens and any unusual or unexplained illness or significant mortality amongst poultry in proximity to such hatchery or at a supply farm from which hatching eggs have been acquired or are likely to be acquired by such hatchery shall be notified immediately to the Minister by the owner of such hatchery.
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paragraphs: The following measures, and any other measures which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall be adopted at a licensed poultry hatchery immediately infectious or contagious disease amongst poultry is known to exist at any supply farm from which eggs have been acquired or are likely to be acquired by such hatchery :—
(a) the acquisition and incubation of eggs from such supply farm shall be discontinued until such time as the Minister or an inspector shall determine ;
(b) any eggs at the hatchery which have been acquired from such supply farm shall be destroyed ;
(c) representative specimens of chickens at the hatchery which have been hatched from eggs acquired from such supply farm shall be furnished for examination to the Veterinary College, Ballsbridge, Dublin, or such other veterinary laboratory as may be approved by the Minister for such purpose and all other such chickens at the hatchery shall be destroyed and any other chickens at the hatchery shall be destroyed if the Minister or an inspector so directs.
num: 31
paragraphs: The following measures, and any other measures which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall immediately be adopted in the event of an outbreak of infectious or contagious disease amongst chickens at a licensed poultry hatchery :—
(a) the incubation of eggs at and despatch of chickens from the hatchery shall be discontinued until such time as the Minister or an inspector shall be determine ;
(b) representative specimens of chickens at the hatchery shall be furnished for examination to the Veterinary College, Ballsbridge, Dublin, or such other veterinary laboratory as may be approved by the Minister for such purpose ;
(c) all survivors of any group of chickens in which such disease has occurred and all chickens which have been in contact with such chickens shall be destroyed ;
(d) notification of the outbreak shall be sent by the owner of the hatchery to any person to whom chickens were despatched from the hatchery during the period of ten days immediately preceding the date of the outbreak.
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paragraphs: In the event of an outbreak of disease amongst chickens within ten days from the date of their despatch from a licensed poultry hatchery, the following measure, and any other measures which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall immediately be adopted at the hatchery :—
notification of the outbreak shall be sent by the owner of the hatchery to any person who has been supplied with chickens from the hatch in which the disease occurred.
REGULATIONS AS REGARDS THE OPERATION OF A SUPPLY FARM
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paragraphs: All birds at a supply farm shall be pure-bred, of high quality, well developed and free from obvious deformity.
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paragraphs: All birds at a supply farm which are used or are intended to be used for breeding purposes shall have been selected and ringed with sealed rings by an inspector and shall have been found free from Salmonella Pullorum infection.
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paragraphs: A bird of which an inspector does not approve shall not be retained at a supply farm.
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paragraphs: Eggs for hatching and poultry shall not be brought into a supply farm without the prior permission of the Minister or an inspector.
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paragraphs: All birds over the age of five months which are brought into a supply farm with the prior permission of the Minister or an inspector shall have been found free from Salmonella Pullorum infection before being so brought in.
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paragraphs: All poultry brought into the farm with the prior permission of the Minister or an inspector shall be tested for Salmonella Pullorum infection if the Minister or an inspector so directs.
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paragraphs: All male birds used for breeding purposes at a supply farm shall as far as possible have been individually bred from tested ancestors.
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paragraphs: The ratio of female to male birds used for breeding purposes at a supply farm shall be not more than fifteen females to one male.
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paragraphs: All chickens hatched at a supply farm after the 15th day of May in any year shall be disposed of before testing for Salmonella Pullorum infection is carried out at the farm in that year.
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paragraphs: Every egg of a domestic fowl supplied to a licensed poultry hatchery for hatching from a supply farm shall bear the impression of the stamp supplied by the Minister for use at such farm and such stamp shall be surrendered to the Minister on the 1st day of June in each year or at any time on demand by him.
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paragraphs: Any measures for the prevention of poultry disease at or spread of poultry disease within or from a supply farm, which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall be adopted.
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paragraphs: An inspector may at all reasonable times inspect poultry and eggs at a supply farm and in the case of suspected disease may remove from such farm such specimens of poultry and eggs as may be necessary for the purpose of diagnosis.
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paragraphs: Evidence of poultry disease at a supply farm shall not be removed or destroyed or disguised for the purpose of concealing such disease.
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paragraphs: Any outbreak of disease amongst poultry at a supply farm and any case of suspected infectious or contagious disease amongst such poultry and any unusual or unexplained illness or significant mortality amongst poultry in proximity to such farm shall be notified immediately to the Minister by the owner of such farm.
num: 47
paragraphs: The following measure, and any other measures which the Minister or an inspector may direct shall be adopted at a supply farm immediately infectious or contagious disease is suspected to exist amongst poultry at such farm :—
the hatching of eggs at and distribution of hatching eggs and poultry from the supply farm shall be discontinued until such time as the Minister or an inspector shall determine.
num: 48
paragraphs: The following measures, and any other measures which the Minister or an inspector may direct, shall be adopted at a supply farm immediately infectious or contagious disease is known to exist amongst poultry at such farm :—
(a) the hatching of eggs at and distribution of hatching eggs and poultry from the supply farm shall be discontinued until such time as the Minister or an inspector shall direct ;
(b) representative specimens of poultry at the supply farm shall be furnished for examination to the Veterinary College, Ballsbridge, Dublin, or such other veterinary laboratory as may be approved by the Minister for such purpose ;
(c) all such diseased poultry and all poultry which have been in contact with such poultry shall be disposed of in accordance with directions of the Minister or an inspector ;
(d) the supply farm and all equipment thereat shall be disinfected as directed by the Minister or an inspector.
num: 49
paragraphs: Chickens for the replacement of stock at a supply farm shall—
(a) be hatched from eggs produced at the farm or from eggs purchased from sources approved by the Minister, or
(b) be purchased from sources approved by the Minister ;
(c) not be hatched from pullet eggs ; and
(d) not be acquired from a licensed poultry hatchery except with the prior permission of the Minister or an inspector.
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paragraphs: Matings for the production of first-cross chickens may be established at a supply farm provided—
(a) such matings are not established before the 1st day of January in any year ;
(b) not more than one cross is made at any one time ; and
(c) two white breeds are not mated.
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paragraphs: Different species of poultry at a supply farm shall be kept apart.
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paragraphs: The incubation and rearing facilities, housing, range, management, husbandry methods and hygiene at a supply farm shall be of a standard satisfactory to the Minister or an inspector.
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paragraphs: An egg of a domestic fowl weighing less than 2 ounces or an egg more than ten days old or a dirty, badly shaped or defectively shelled egg shall not be supplied for hatching from a supply farm or incubated at such farm.
Form P.H.1.