October 29, 2019

Dutch hatcheries now required to feed chicks within 36 hours after hatching

Poultry hatcheries in the Netherlands have apparently adopted as a common practice the provision of feed and water to chicks three days after hatching, but a new court ruling now states that the practice must end.

This month, a Dutch court ruled in favour of animal rights organisation, Wakker Dier, leading to a requirement for local hatcheries to introduce early feeding, which is, chicks getting feed and water within 36 hours after hatching.

Hatcheries have five years to comply with the new law, although Wakker Dier, which brough the case in 2013, said it will appeal for the law to take effect at an earlier date.

The ruling will apply to the 500 million broiler chicks hatched each year in the Netherlands.

- Poultry News