10. To assist with the management of the flock we recommend that the maximum and minimum temperatures should be recorded daily and efforts made to avoid extremes of temperature within conventional (enclosed) houses. (paragraph 23)
11. Those responsible for the keeping of turkeys should familiarise themselves with the amended version of the MAFF publication "Heat Stress in Poultry - Solving the Problem" and the The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994. (paragraph 31)
12. To help to ensure that heat stress, as shown by excessive panting for long periods, is avoided as far as is practicably possible for the time of year, the person responsible for turkeys kept in conventional (enclosed) houses must ensure that the stocking density used for each flock in each building is within the maximum recommended in paragraph 75 of this report. (paragraph 32)
13. Temperature and humidity levels should be such that the birds do not pant continuously for long periods. (paragraph 34)
14. The environment for brooding poults should be lit at a minimum of 25 lux for the first few days, although it may be necessary to reduce light levels in the event of aggression. (paragraph 41)
15. The housing and management systems should not require that the birds be kept at such a low light level that normal investigatory and other behaviour is seriously impaired. (paragraph 42)
16. Lighting systems in houses containing turkeys reared for meat should be designed and maintained to provide a minimum light intensity of 5 lux measured on a horizontal plane at bird eye height, although it may be necessary to dim the lights for a few days if aggression occurs. (paragraph 44)
17. After the first few days of life lighting should be reduced gradually to give a period of darkness of about 8 hours in each 24 hours. (paragraph 45)
18. Those with responsibility for turkeys should familiarise themselves with the MAFF publication entitled "Poultry Litter Management. (paragraph 51)
19. Turkey producers should be allowed, until a poult is 21 days old, to cold-cut up to half the length of the upper mandible where this operation is necessary. (paragraph 61)
20. The Turkey Welfare Code should be amended to make it clear that in conventional (enclosed) housing systems the maximum stocking density should be calculated on the basis of the formula area (mē) = 0.0459 W(kg)2/3. It should be recognised that there are unavoidable circumstances, which can arise in the latter stages of the production cycle, that can lead to slightly higher stocking densities. Producers should be allowed to stock at densities in excess of 38.5kg/m only where the house environment is controlled, in line with our recommendations in paragraphs 30-34. Otherwise, the present maximum of 38.5kg/mē should continue to apply to conventional (enclosed) housing systems. (paragraph 75)
21. The person responsible for the turkeys should be able to demonstrate that the stocking density is no higher than the maximum recommended in this report and is appropriate for the design of the building, its locality and the relevant predictable environmental conditions for the time of year. That person should also be responsible for taking expert advice to ensure that the house is capable of supporting turkeys at these densities. (paragraph 76)
22. Heavy grandparent birds should not be kept to advanced ages. (paragraph 90)
23. Artificial insemination should be undertaken only by competent, trained staff, who should take care to use only those turkeys which are in good physical condition. (paragraph 102)
24. All catching and loading staff should be adequately trained and supervised. (paragraph 108)
25. Account should be taken of extreme weather conditions and the number of birds loaded for transport should be adjusted accordingly. (paragraph 111)
26. Farmers should liaise closely with slaughterhouses and processing plants so that the collections are programmed to minimise time the turkeys should spend waiting on vehicles. (paragraph 113)
27. If it is necessary to keep birds on board a stationary vehicle, the driver should take action to avoid heat or cold stress to the turkeys (e.g. avoid direct sunlight or draughts). In hot weather, it may be appropriate to keep the vehicle moving and, in this way, provide a cooling draught. (paragraph 114)
28 If a hospital pen is set up it should be within the main house and used to segregate sick birds or sexing errors and these birds should be inspected at least once every 24 hours. (paragraph 120)
29. Catching and handling should be done in a careful manner when turkeys are to be put into a hospital pen. They should be placed in it and not dropped over the surround. (paragraph 122)
30. Where a bird is stunned by the use of a hand held electrical stunner applied to the head, it is critical that both carotid arteries are severed to kill the bird. (paragraph 127)
31. Turkey flocks should be effectively inspected at least twice each day. (paragraph 132)
32. Where possible, producers should record water consumption as unexpected changes may indicate a welfare problem. (paragraph 138)
33. Records should also be kept of any maintenance carried out, generator tests, alarm tests and fire extinguisher checks. (paragraph 139)