Question & AnswerQ&A (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 12, S. 2002, APRIL 1, 2002)
The legal basis is Republic Act 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
The five basic freedoms are: Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition; Freedom from physical discomfort and pain; Freedom from injury and disease; Freedom to conform to essential behavior patterns; and Freedom from fear and distress.
Farms with at least 40,000 broilers, 30,000 layers, or 2,000 breeders are required to have an attending veterinarian who must be registered with the Professional Regulation Commission with a current Professional Tax Receipt and Tax Identification Number.
Prohibited acts include cruel treatment of chickens, neglecting to supply proper food, water and shelter, causing unnecessary pain or suffering such as hanging chickens upside down for long periods, mutilation during slaughter, and keeping alive chickens in cruel or inhumane conditions.
A feeder trough space of no less than 10 centimeters per bird is recommended for chickens in cages.
Inspections must be conducted at least once a day, and more frequently during hot weather or disease outbreaks.
Day-old chicks must be transported in properly ventilated boxes or crates with no overcrowding (80-100 chicks per box), protected from direct sunlight and drafts, with ventilating fans in vans. Stacking should be limited to 10 boxes maximum and chicks must be brooded as soon as possible after delivery with access to fresh water.
Houses and cages must provide good ventilation, protection from drafts and strong winds, comfortable space for feeding, roosting, and natural behaviors, protection from predators and inclement weather, fire safety, and temperature control between 19-33°C.
Prohibited practices include non-medical castration or caponizing, devoicing, flight restrictions like dewinging or pinioning, forced molting, and the use of blinkers causing mutilation. Proper beak trimming must be done only by trained personnel and within three weeks of age.
Violations of these Rules and Regulations will be penalized in accordance with Philippine law, including provisions under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.