N.J. Admin. Code § 2:8-4.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 2:8-4.5 - Marketing and sale

(a) The driver of the transport vehicle, and/or any person who is present in the vehicle for purposes of transporting the poultry, shall be responsible for the welfare of the birds at all times during transport.

(b) Poultry transported for any purpose must be handled (loaded and off-loaded) and transported in a manner that minimizes injury, illness and death.

1. During loading and unloading, the birds' owner or owner's agent, if present, shall be responsible for handling poultry.

2. If the birds' owner or owner's agent is absent, the driver of the transport vehicle, and/or any person who is present in the vehicle for purposes of transporting the poultry, shall be responsible for the welfare of the animals.

(c) Poultry may be mailed in compliance with the United States Postal Regulations Federal rule 39 C.F.R. § 111.5. (US Postal Service Domestic Mail Manual, § C022 Perishables; Subsection 3.1, Day-old poultry, Subsection 3.3 Adult fowl, Subsection 3.4 Adult Chickens.)

(d) Birds that are transported by any method other than mailing shall be:

1. Transported with minimal delay;

2. Provided with adequate ventilation during transport; and

3. Protected from the elements in order to minimize illness or mortality.

(e) Crates, trays or carts for transport must be:

1. Designed in such a manner that loading, transport, and removal of birds may be carried out with minimal injury or mortality;

2. Designed to remain intact during normal processing;

3. Constructed to confine the birds; and

4. Ventilated properly.

(f) During transport, the birds' environment must provide relief from the elements that result in hyperthermia or hypothermia detrimental to the birds' health.

(g) Consideration shall be given to minimize exposure of poultry during transport to excessive solar radiation and excessive precipitation.

(h) Mortality in broilers or turkeys shall not exceed 1.0 percent during transport and mortality in spent hens shall not exceed 2.5 percent during transport.

(i) Birds shall not be transported for more than 24 hours without access to feed and water.

(j) Once delivered to the destination, birds must not be kept in transport crates, trays or carts for longer than 18 hours.

N.J. Admin. Code § 2:8-4.5