What are the RSPCA Australia standards for turkeys?

RSPCA Certified is Australia's leading independent farm animal welfare certification program. RSPCA Certified works with producers who are committed to farming turkeys to standards that go beyond the legal requirements and are informed by science and evidence. Since the first RSPCA Turkey welfare standards were released in 2010, more than 2.4 million turkeys have been farmed to these higher standards, supporting better animal welfare outcomes.

Turkeys farmed to the RSPCA Australia Standards are encouraged to be active and are provided with appropriate lighting, perches, dry litter, and sufficient space to move and express natural behaviors. Whether housed indoors or with access to the outdoors, the focus is on meeting turkeys' behavioral and physical needs.

Turkey products may carry the RSPCA Certified logo when they come from farms that have been independently assessed and certified against the RSPCA Australia Standards for Turkeys, and where transport and processing requirements under the standards have been met.

Some of the specific requirements of the RSPCA Australia Standard for Turkeys include:

• Adequate food and water that provides for the birds’ requirements must be provided at all times.
• Turkeys must be provided with:
  
  • good quality litter, maintained in a dry and friable condition, to allow for the birds behavioural needs to dust bathe, scratch and forage
  • adequate perch space of at least 7.2m per 1000 birds
  • environmental enrichment in the form of pecking objects
  • visual barriers so they can seek refuge and rest from other birds.
• Maximum stocking density of 35kg per meter square (depending on bird weight)
• Provision of adequate light and dark periods (minimum 8 hours light and 4 hours continuous darkness in every 24 hour period)
• Minimum average light intensity of 20 lux across the shed floor
• Ammonia levels must not exceed 15ppm
• Beak trimming, when considered necessary to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism must only be carried out under certain conditions. The uses of blinkers or lenses are not permitted.
• Desnooding, dewinging and toe trimming must not be performed
• Weak, ill or injured birds must be humanely euthanised without delay.
• Birds must be monitored for signs of lameness and action taken to prevent it occurring in future flocks.
• Accurate records of mortalities, routine management practices and health challenges must be maintained and available to the RSPCA.
• All persons involved in handling and catching birds must be appropriately trained and competent.
• Maximum time off feed and water must not exceed 18 hours prior to slaughter
• Birds must be stunned prior to slaughter

To learn more about the RSPCA Certified or to download the Standard, visit our website.