USDA m 

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Marketing and 

Regulatory 

Programs 

Instructions for 

Weighing Live Poultry 

Grain Inspection, 

Packers and 

Stockyards 

Administration 

Packers and 

Stockyards 

Scales and Weighing 

Memorandum No. 3 - P 

Programs 

January 1998 
Instructions for Weighing Live Poultry, 

Scales and Weighing Memorandum 

No. 3-P 

Forward 

Regulations (9 CFK 20 1.73) issued under author-ity of 

the Packers and Stockyards Act, 192 1, as amended and 

supplemented (7 I J S C. 18 1 et seq.), require that 

pe~-so~~s welghmp live poultry for pu~yoses of purchase 

or salt under the Act shall perform their duties in 

accordance with otiicial instructions. Kegulations 

(9 CFK 20 1.76, 20 1. 82 and 20 1. IO& 1) containing the 

official instructions are set forth below. 

201.73 Scale operators to be qualified. 

Stochyard OWIKI-s, market agcncics, dealers, packers 

and live poultry dealers shall employ qualified pe~~sons 

to operate scales for weighing livestock, livestock 

carcasses or live poultry for the purpose of purchase, 

sale, acquisition LX settlement, and they shall require 

such employees to operate the scales in accordance 

with the regulations. 

201.76 Reweighing. 

Stockyard owners, market agencies, dealers, packers 

and live poultry dealers shall reweigh livestock, 

livestock carcasses or live poultry on request of an> 

aurhol-ir.cd I-el)rrsentative of the Secretary. 

201.82 Care and promptness in weighing and 

handling livestock and live poultry 

(a) Each stochyard owner, market agency, dealer. 

pa&r and live poultry dealer shall exercise I-easnnahle 

care and pl~omptness with respect to loading, 

transporting, holding, yarding, feeding, watering, 

weighing or othetwlse handling livestock or live 

poultry to prcvcnt waste of feed, shrinkage, mJuq, 

death or other avoidable loss 

(t)) Whenever hvc poultg is obtained under a poultl) 

pI-owing an anpemznt, the poultr?; shall bc transported 

promptly after loading and the gross \veight for gro\vel 

payment purposes shall be determined immediateI> 

upon arrival at the processing plant, holding yard, or 

other scale normally used for such purpose. 

201.108-I Instructions for weighing live poultry 

Live poultry dealers who opcratc scales on which live 

poultry is weighed for purposes of purchase, sale, 

acquisition. or settlement are responsible for the 

accurate weighmg of such poultry. They shall supply 

copies of the instructions in this section to all persons 

who pelfolm weighing operations for them and direct 

such persons to familiarize themselves with the 

instructions and to comply with them at all times. This 

section shall also apply to any additional weighers who 

are employed at any time. Weighers must acknowledge 

their receipt of these instructions and agree to comply 

\+ ith thtm by signing in duplicate, a form provided by 

the Packers and Stockyards Programs, Grain 

Inspection. Packers and Stockyards Administration. 

One copv of this form is to be filed with a regional 

office of the Packers and Stockyards Programs, Grain 

Inspection, Packers and Stochyards Administration and 

the other copy retained by the Agency employing the 

Lveighers. The following instructions shall be 

applicable to the weighing of live poultry on all scales 

escept that paragraph (c)( 1) of this section is only 

applicable to the weighing of live poultry on vehicle 

scales. 

(a) R~lancin~ rhe emp~ scale. (1) The scale shall be 

maintained in zero balance at all times. The empty 

scale shall be balanced each day before weighing 

begins and thereafter its zero balance shall be verified 

before any poultn, is weighed. In addition, the zero 

balance of the scale shall be verified whenever a 

Lveigher resumes weighing duties after an absence from 

the scale. 

(2 j Rcforc balancing the empty scale, the weigher shall 

noti& parties outside the scale house of his/her 

intention and shall bc assured that no persons or 

vehicles are in contact with the platform, When the 

ctnp~ s&e it; bulu~wxl and ready for weighing, the 

\xeigher shall so indicate by appropriate signal. 

(3’) Weighbeam scales shall be balanced by first seating 

each poise securely in its zero notch and then moving 

the balance ball to such position that a correct zero 

1 
balance is obtained. A scale equipped with a balance 

indicator is correctly balanced when the indicator 

comes to rest in the center of the target area. A scale 

not equipped with a balance indicator is correctly 

balanced if the weighbeam, when released at the top or 

bottom of the trig loop, swings freely in the trig loop m 

such manner that it will come to rest at the center of the 

trig loop. 

(4) Dial scales shall be balanced by releasing all drop 

weights and operating the balance ball or other 

balancing device to obtain a correct zero balance. The 

indicator must visibly indicate zero on the dial readmg 

face and the ticket printer must record a correct zero 

balance. “Balance tickets” shall be filed with other 

scale tickets issued on that date. 

(5) Electronic digital scales should be properly warmed 

up before use. In most cases it is advisable to leave the 

electric power on continuously. The zero balance shall 

be verified by recording the zel-o balance on a scale 

ticket. ‘l‘he main indicating element and the remote 

visual wei&t display shall indicate zero when the 

balance is verified. The proper procedure for 

balancing this type of scale will vary according tu the 

manufacturer. Refer to the operator’s manual for 

specific instructions. 

(6) A balance ball or other balancing device shall be 

operated only when balancing the empty scale and shall 

not be operated at any time OI- for any other purpose. 

(7) The time at which the empty scale is balanced or its 

Lero balance verified shall be marked on scale tickets 

OI- other permanent records 

(b) Smsifivif?l confrol. ( I ) A scale must be sensitive in 

response to platform loading if it is to yield accurate 

weights. It, therefore, is the duty of a weigher to assure 

himself that interferences, weighbeam friction, or other 

factors do not impair sensitivity. He shall satisfy 

himself, at least twice each day, that the scale is 

sullicIently sensitive, and, if the following requirements 

are not met, he must report the facts to his superior or 

employer immediately. 

(2) A weighheem scale with a halance indicator is 

sufficiently sensitive if, when the scale IS balanced Lvith 

the indicator at the ccntcr of the tarpct, movement of 

thr fr-actiunal poist: one gruduatiun will change the 

indicator rest point 114 inch (0.25) or the width of the 

central target area, whichever is greater. 

(3) A weighbeam scale without a balance indicator is 

sufficiently sensitive if, when the scale is balanced with 

the weighbeam at the center of the trig loop, movement 

of the fractional poise two graduations ~111 cause the 

weighbeam to come to rest at the bottom of the trig 

loop. 

(4) Adjustable damping devices arc incorporated m 

balance mdlcators and in dial scales to absorb the 

effects of load impact and to bring the indicator- tu lest 

The weigher must be familiar with the location and 

adjustment ofthese damping devices and keep them so 

adjusted that when the indicator IS displaced from a 

position of rest, it will oscillate frcoly through at least 

one complete cycle of movement belore coming to rest 

at its orIgina position. 

(5) Friction at weighbeam bear-ings may r-educe the 

scnsitivcncss of the scale, cause sluggish weighbcam 

action and affect weighing accuracy. A weigher must 

inspect the weighbeam assembly daily to make certain 

that there is clearance bet\veen the weighbeam and the: 

pivot bearings. 

(6) Interferences OI binding of the scale platfom~, 01~ 

other “live“ parts of the scale, are common causes of 

\veighmg inaccuracy. A weigher shall satistj himself, 

at the beginning of each weighing period, that all such 

“live” parts have sufficient clearance to prevent 

interference. 

(c) If ‘eig1ling t/w load. ( 1) Vchiclc scales used to 

u elgh live poultry shall be of sutlicicnt Icngth and 

capacity to weigh an entire vehicle as a umt: pt’ovithi, 

that a trailer may bc uncoupled from a tractor and 

weighed as a single unit. Before weighing a vehicle. 

either coupled 01 uncoupled, the weighel~ shall be 

assured that the entire vehicle is on the scale platform 

and that no persons are on the scale platform. 

(i) On a weighbeam scale with a balance indicator the 

wright of a vehicle shall be dctcrmined by moving the 

polscs to such positions that the indicator will come to 

rest within the central target area. 

(Ii) ()n a we~ghbeam scale without a balance indicator 

the weight shall he detennincd by moving the poises to 

such posItions that the weighbeam, when released fi-orn 

tho top or bottom of the trig loop, ulll swmp freely in 

the trig loop ad cmle to rest at the appro’sunatc ccnta 

of the trig loop. 

2 
(ii]) On a dial scale the weight of a vehicle is indicated 

automatically when the indicator revolves around the 

dial face and comes to rest. 

(iv) On an electronic digital scale the weight of a 

vehicle in indicated automatically when the weight 

value indicated is stable. 

(2) The correct weight is the value in pounds mdizated 

by a weighbeam, dial or digital scale when a stable load 

balance is &tamed. ln any case, the weigher should 

cnnccntrate upon the beam tip, balance indicator. dial 

or digiral indicator- while weighing and not be 

concerned with reading the visible weight indications 

until a stable load balance is obtained. On olectrunic 

digital scales, the weigher should concentrate on the 

pulsing or llickering of weight values to assure that the 

unit indicates a stable weight before activating the print 

button. 

Cd) Reco&irr~ &r wei.@. ( 1) The gross or tare weight 

shall be recorded immediately after- the load halanct: is 

obtained and before any poises are moved or load 

removed from the scale platform The weigher shall 

make certain that the printed weight record agrees with 

the weight value visibly indicated on the weighbeam. 

dial or digital indicator when correct load balance is 

obtained. ‘l’he weigher shall also assure that the 

printed weight value is sufficiently distinct and lepihle 

(2) The weight printing device on a scale shall be 

operated only to produce a printed or impressed record 

of the weight while the load is on the scale and 

cc~rrectly halanced. Jfthc Lveight is not printed clrarl> 

and correctly, the ticket shall be marked \.oid and a ne\\ 

one printed before thz load is removed from the scale. 

(e) Weigho-‘s ~~~~unsihilities. (1) The prima? 

responsibility of a weigher is to determine and record 

tht: true weight of live poultry without prejudice or 

favor to any person of agency and without regard forpoultry, ownership. price, condition, shrink, or other 

considerations. A weigher shall not permit the 

representations or attitudes of any persons or agencies 

to intlucnce his judgment or- action in pcr-fonning 

his/her duties 

(2) Scale tickets issued shall be serially numbcrcd and 

used in numerlcnl sequence. Sufficient copies shall be 

executed to provide a copy to all palties to the 

transaction 1 Jnused scale tickets or those which arc 

partially executed shall not be left txposcd or 

accessible to other parties. All such tickets shall be 

kept under lock when the weigher is not at his duty 

station. 

(3) Accurate weighmg and weight recording require 

that a weigher shall not permit operations to be hurried 

to the extent that inaccurate weights or incorrect weight 

records may result. The gross, tare and net weights 

must bc determined accurately to the nearest mmimum 

graduation. Manual operations connected with 

balancing, weighing, and recording shall be performed 

with the care necessary to prevent damage to the 

accurately machined and adjusted parts of weighbeams, 

poises, and printing devices. Rough handling of these 

parts shall be avoided. 

(4) Poultry growers, live poultry dealers, sellers, or 

others having legitimate interest in a load 

of poultry are entitled to observe the balancing, 

weighing and recording procedures. A weigher shall 

not deny that right or withhold from them any 

nlfarmation pcrtammg to the weight. The weigher shall 

check the zero balance of the scale or reweigh a load of 

poultry when requested by such parties or duly 

authorized representatives of the administrator. 

(0 (;erze~ulprecaulians. (1 j The poises of weighbeam 

scales are carefUlly adjusted and sealed to a definite 

weight at the factory and any change in that weight 

seriously a@xts weighing accuracy. A weigher, 

therefore, shall observe if poise parts are broken, loose 

or lost or if material is added to a poise and shall report 

an!- such condition to his/her superior or employer. 

Halancmp or weighing shall not be performed while a 

scale ticket is in the slot of a weighbeam poise. 

(2) Stops are provided on scale weighbeams to prevent 

movemmt ofpoises hack of the zero graduation when 

balancing or weighing. When the stops become worn 

or broken and allow a puise to be set behind the zero 

position, this condition must be reported by the weigher 

to their superior or employer and corrected without 

&la!, 

(3 j Motion detection circuits are a part of electronic 

scales. ‘l’he~ are designed to prevent the printing of 

\\c~ght valu~-s if the load has not stabilized within 

prescribed limits. The weighmaster’s duty is to print 

the actual weight of the load within these limits. This 

rrquircs printing the actual weight of the load, not one 

of the other Gghts that mav hc withm the motion 

d&&on ltmits 
(4) Foreign objects or loose materials in the foml of 

nuts, bolts, washers, or other material on any part of the 

weighbeam assembly, including the counter-balance 

hanger or counter-balance weights, are potential 

sources of weighing error. Loose balancing material 

must be enclosed in the shot cup of the counter-balance 

hanger and counter-balance weights must not be of the 

slotted type which can readily be removed. 

(5) Whenever, for any reason, a weigher has reason to 

believe that a scale is not functioning propel:rly or not 

yielding correct weight values, the weigher shall 

discontinue weighing, report the facts to the parties 

responsible for scale maintenance and request 

inspection, test or repair of the scale. 

(6) When a scale has been adjusted, modified, or 

repaired in any manner which can affect the accuracy of 

weighing or weight recording, the weigher shall not use 

the scale until it has been tested and inspected and 

found to be accurate. 

201.49 Requirements Regarding Scale Tickets 

Evidencing Weighing of Livestock and Live 

Poultry 

(a) Livestock. When livestock is weighed for the 

purpose of purchase or sale, a scale ticket shall be 

Issued which shall be serially numbered and used m 

numerical sequence. Suflicicnt copies shall be 

executed tQ provide a copy to all parties to the 

transaction. In instances where the we@ values are 

automatically recorded directly on the account (o! 

purchase, account of salt or other basic record, this 

record may serve in lieu of a scale ticket. When 

livestock is purchased on a carcass weight or carcass 

grade and weight basis, the hot carcass weights shall be 

recorded using a scale equipped with a printing device, 

and such printed weights shall be retained as part of the 

person or firm‘s business records to substantiate 

settlement on each transaction. Scale tickets issued 

under this section shall show: 

( I ) The names and location of the agency performing 

the weighing service; 

(2) The date uf the weighing; 

(3) The nil,nc c,I- Lht: buyer and scllt;r <II CWI>~~IIC>I-, or 

a designation by which they may be readily identified: 

(4) The number of head; 

(5) Kmd of livestock; 

(6) Actual weight of each draft of livestock; and 

(7) The name, initials, OI- number- of the person who 

weighed the livestock, or if required by State law, the 

signature of the weigher. 

(%) PO&~. When live poultry is weighed for the 

purpose or purchase, sale, acquisition, or settlement by 

a live poultry dealer, a scale ticket shall be issued 

which shall show. 

(I ) The name of the agency performing the weighing 

service, 

(2) The name of the live poultry dealer: 

(3) The name and address of the grower, purchaser, 

or seller; 

(4) The name or initials OI- number of the person who 

weighed the poultry, or if required by State law, the 

signature of the weigher; 

(5) The location of the scale; 

(6) The gross weight, tare weight, and net weight; 

(7) The date and time gross weight and tare weight 

are determined; 

(8) The number of poultry weighed; 

(9) The weather conditions; 

( IO) Whether the driver was on or OR the truck at the 

time of weighing; and 

( 1 1) The license number of the truck or the truck 

number; provided, that when live poultry is weighed on 

a scale other than a vehicle scale, the scale ticket need 

not show the information specified in paragraphs 

(b)(9)-( I I ) of this section. Scale tickets issued under 

this paragraph shall be at least in duplicate form and 

shall be serially numbered and used in numerical 

sequence. One copy shall be furnished to the grower, 

purchaser, or seller, and one copy shall be flumished to 

or retamed by the live poultry dealer. 

N(.)'I‘E 

Attention is called to Section 10 of the Federal Trade 

Commission Act, which is made applicable to persons 

subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act and provides 

in part: 

Y.. Any person who shall willfully make, or cause to 

be made, any false entry or statement of fact in any 

report required to be made under this Act, or who shall 

willfully make, or cause to be made, any false entry in 

any account, record, or memorandum kept by my 

corporation subject to this Act or who shall willfully 

neglect or fail to make, or cause to bc made, full, true, 

and correct entries in such accounts, recor-ds, or 

memoranda, of all facts and transactions appertaining 

to the business of such corporation, or who shall 

4 
willfully remove out of the jurisdiction of the I Jmted 

States, or willfully mutilate, alter, or by any other 

means falsify, any documentary evidence of such 

corporation. or who shall willfully refuse to submit to 

the Commission or to any of its authorized agents, for 

the purpose of inspection and taking copies, an! 

documentary evidence of such corporation in his 

pr:ssession or within his control, shall be deemed guilg 

of an ofknse apamst the the 1 Jmted States. and shall be 

suhjcct upon conviction in anv cmu~ of the 1 Jnited 

States or competent jurisdiction, to a fine of not less 

Hun $1,000 IIOI- more than $5,000 or to imprisonment 

fix a term of not more than three years. or to both such 

iine and imprisonment.“ 

A weigher who willfully prints or enters a falx weight 

value on a scale ticket or other record of a stoch>ard 

company, market agency, dealer, packer or live poultI\ 

dealer is subject to the section quoted above. 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 

Packers and Stockyards Programs 

FORM APPROVED: OME3 No. 0580-00 1 S 

Response is required to acknowledge receipt of 

WEIGHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

“Instructions for Weighing Live Poultry” and to 

agree to their compliance (9 CFR 201.108-I). 

AND AGREEMENT Connation held confidential (9 CFR 20 1.96). 

Public repofiing burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .08 hours per reqotue, including the time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the form. Send comments 

regarding this burden estimate or any other aspects ofthis collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden to USDA 

OIRM, Clearance Off&r, Room 404-W, Washington DC 20250. When replying refer to the OMB Number and Form Number in your letter. 

employed by > 

at , as a weigher 

of live poultry loads, have read the Instructions for Weighing Live Poultry issued 

under the authority of the Packers and Stockyards Act and agree to comply fully 

with said Instructions. I am aware that it will be an offense against the United 

States for me to willfXly make any false entry of weight or other information on 

a scale ticket or other record kept by my employer. 

SIGNATURE OF WEIGHER 

USDA 

-m 

SIGNATURE OF WITNESS DATE 

FORM P%SP - 2 15-F Send one copy to the USDA GIPSA Packers & Stockyards Progmrns Regional O&e and the other 

copy is to be retained by the ~nployer of the wei&master named herein 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 

Packers and Stoc@ards Programs 

FORM APPROVED: OMB No. 0580-00 15 

Response is required to acknowledge receipt of 

WEIGHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

“Instructions for Weighing Live PO&@ and to 

agree to their compliance (9 CFR 201.108-I). 

AND AGREEMENT Information held confidential (9 CFR 20 1.96). 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average ,138 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed. and completing and reviewing the form. Send comments. 

regarding this burden estimate or any other aspects afthis collection of inforxwtion including suggestions for reducing the burden. to USDA_ 

OIRM, Clearance O&er, Room 404-W. Washington DC 20250. When replying refer to the OMR Number and Form Number in your letter. 

employed by 3 

at 3 as a weigher 

of live poultry loads, have read the Instructions for Weighing Live Poultry issued 

under the authority of the Packers and Stockyards Act and agree to comply fully 

with said Instructions. I am aware that it will be an offense against the United 

States for me to willllly make any false entry of weight or other information on 

a scale ticket or other record kept by my employer. 

SIGNATURE OF WEIGHER 

USDA 

am SIGNATURE OF WITNESS DATE 

I I I _I 

FORM P&SP - 215-P Send one copy to the USDA, GIPSA_ Packers & Stockyards Programs Regional O&x and the other 

copy is to be retained by the employer of the weigbmaslcr named herein 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 

Packers and Stockyards Programs 

FORM APPROVED: OMB No. 0580-00 15 

Response is required to acknowledge receipt of 

WEIGHER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

“Instructions for Weighing Live Poulby” and to 

agree to their compliance (9 CFR 201.108-1). 

AND AGREEMENT Information held confidential (9 CFR 201.96). 

1 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .08 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the form. Send comments 

regarding this burden estimate or any other aspects of this collection of informatior~ includiig suggestiow for reducing the burden to USDA 

OIRM, Clearance Officer, Room 404-U’, Washington. DC 20250. When replying refet to the OhI6 Number and Form Number in your letter 

1, 2 

employed by 3 

at 3 , as a weigher 

of live poultry loads, have read the Instructions for Weighing Live Poultry issued 

under the authority of the Packers and Stockyards Act and agree to comply Mly 

with said Instructions. I am aware that it will be an offense against the United 

States for me to willfUlly make any false entry of weight or other information on 

a scale ticket or other record kept by my employer. 

ISIGNATURE OF WEIGHER 

USDA 

b SIGNATURE OF WITN?ZSS DA-L-E 

FORMP&SP - 215-P Send one copy to the USDA GIPSA, Packers & Stockyards Programs Regional Oflice and the other 

copy is to be retained by the employer of the weigbmaskr named hen& 

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