If you rear chicken for meat on your farm, you need to be aware of new EU legislation for chicken rearing which comes into force on the 30th June 2010. These include a maximum stocking density of 39kg/m², minimum management requirements and training.

To help understand what these changes will mean for you, ADAS is running six regional workshops that will give you an opportunity to find out what the new EU legislation means for you. The workshops are being delivered by ADAS on behalf of Defra, the British Poultry Council and the National Farmers Union.

The legislation will be explained together with discussions on what each requirement will mean at the farm level. The workshops will allow you to ask questions in an informal atmosphere with other rearers.

Although the legislation does not apply to breeding chickens, free-range and organic chickens and those who keep less than 500 birds, the new EU welfare provisions demonstrate best practice and science which could be applied to all systems of production. Therefore all rearers, regardless of system of production, are welcome and encouraged to attend the workshops.

Where and when locally

• East Anglia-Brome Grange, Brome, IP23 8AD 15 March 2010
• South East- Writtle College, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR 22 March 2010
• North East- York Pavilion Hotel, York, YO10 4PJ 29 March 2010
• South West -Devon Hotel, Exeter, EX2 8XU 12 April 2010
• Midlands- Pershore College, Worcs, WR10 3JP 20 April 2010
• North West- Garstang Country Hotel,Preston, PR3 1TD 26 April 2010

The workshops will run from 6.30pm to 9pm. Refreshments will be provided. The meetings are free to attend, but please pre-book. If you would like to attend one of the events please contact:

Carol Gough or Georgie Fomes (ADAS UK Ltd) on: 01354 692531 or 01354 697200 Or email: carol.gough@adas.co.uk or georgie.fomes@adas.co.uk

Claire Knott, Stephen Lister and Philip Hammond are pleased to announce the arrival of a fourth vet to the Crowshall team, Ian Lowery.

Ian qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2006 and joins us from a specialist cattle practice in Kent. He also has experience of game birds and has been involved in a lot of farmer training. His work on herd and flock health planning and his enthusiastic approach to all he does is a valuable additional resource for the practice.

Ian grew up in Norfolk and is engaged to Sarah, a vet working in practice in Fakenham.

Ians arrival further strengthens the high level of service offered by the Crowshall team in a range of diagnostic and consultancy areas both on farm and in the laboratory.

SUFFERING WITH POOR EGG QUALITY-

 

TRY CROWSHALL OPTISHELL

It is natural for shell quality to decline as flocks approach the end of their laying life- for this reason Crowshall Optishell has been designed to help to minimise seconds. For more information, prices and to place orders please call Crowshall Veterinary Services on 01953455454.