{"id":"animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024","name":"Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024","slug":"animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173600,"registerId":"wa-animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nAnimal Welfare Act 2002\n\nAnimal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024\n\nWestern Australia\n\nAnimal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024\n\nContents\n\nPart 1 — Preliminary\n\n1. Citation 1\n\n2. Commencement 1\n\n3. Terms used 1\n\n4. Appropriateness of thing or area for poultry 4\n\nPart 2 — Cage requirements in laying sheds during Part 2 operative period\n\nDivision 1 — Preliminary\n\n5. Application of Part 5\n\n6. Terms used 5\n\nDivision 2 — Cage design and construction\n\nSubdivision 1 — Offence\n\n7. Non‑compliant cages prohibited in laying sheds 6\n\nSubdivision 2 — Requirements for cage design and construction\n\n8. Water and food troughs 6\n\n9. Floor support 7\n\n10. Cage height 7\n\n11. Cage doors 7\n\n12. Cages arranged in tiers 7\n\nDivision 3 — Stocking densities\n\n13. Cages in laying sheds must have minimum floor area 8\n\nPart 3 — Cage requirements for commercial poultry production in sheds\n\n14. Application of Part 9\n\n15. Cages to have adequate space 9\n\n16. Laying hens to have access to adequate nest areas from point of lay 10\n\n17. Laying hens to have access to adequate perches or platforms 10\n\n18. Laying hens to have access to areas for scratching or foraging 10\n\nPart 4 — Requirements for ducks\n\n19. Breeding ducks to have access to water 12\n\nPart 5 — Poultry standards\n\n20. Application of Part 13\n\n21. Indoor housing systems for poultry to have appropriate firefighting equipment 13\n\n22. Captive poultry to have access to appropriate substrate 13\n\n23. Requirements for outside areas for captive poultry 13\n\n24. Light requirements 14\n\n25. Darkness requirements 15\n\n26. Limits on ammonia levels in commercial poultry production 17\n\n27. Beak trimming 18\n\nPart 6 — Defences to offences\n\n28. Use of poultry under licence for scientific purposes 20\n\n29. Person responsible not in actual control of poultry 20\n\n30. Offence against Parts 2 and 3 during particular periods 21\n\nPart 7 — Repeal\n\n31. Regulations repealed 22\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 23\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\nAnimal Welfare Act 2002\n\nAnimal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024\n\n## Part 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 1. Citation\n\n\t\tThese regulations are the *Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024*.\n\n##### 2. Commencement\n\nThese regulations come into operation as follows —\n\n(a) Part 1 — on the day on which these regulations are published on the WA legislation website (publication day);\n\n(b) Part 5 — on 1 July 2025;\n\n(c) the rest of the regulations — on the day after publication day.\n\n##### 3. Terms used\n\nIn these regulations —\n\nappropriate, in relation to a thing or area, has the meaning given in regulation 4;\n\nbird level means the height of the bird’s head when the bird is standing normally;\n\nbreeding, in relation to poultry, means poultry reared, kept and managed for the purposes of breeding poultry, whether or not the poultry are sexually mature or male;\n\nbrooder means a heated structure for raising young poultry;\n\ncaptive poultry has the meaning given in regulation 20;\n\nchicken means a member of the species *Gallus gallus*;\n\ncommercial egg production means a business that involves keeping 50 or more chickens for the purpose of producing eggs for sale, whether or not those chickens are all kept at the same place;\n\ncommercial poultry production means a business that involves breeding, keeping or the slaughter of poultry for the purpose of selling poultry or poultry products;\n\nlaying hen —\n\n(a) means a female chicken that is at least 18 weeks of age; but\n\n(b) does not include a breeding chicken;\n\nlaying shed means a building or structure in which 1 or more laying hens are caged for the purpose of commercial egg production;\n\nnest area means an area of a cage for a laying hen to nest in that is dark, secluded and separated from other chickens in the cage;\n\nPart 2 operative period, in relation to a laying shed, means the period beginning on the day on which this definition comes into operation and ending on —\n\n(a) for a laying shed where the cages were first installed on or before 31 December 2011 — 30 June 2032; or\n\n(b) for a laying shed where the cages were first installed in 2012 — 30 June 2033; or\n\n(c) for a laying shed where the cages were first installed in 2013 — 30 June 2034; or\n\n(d) for a laying shed where the cages were first installed in 2014 — 30 June 2035; or\n\n(e) for a laying shed where the cages were first installed on or after 1 January 2015 but before 1 July 2022 — 30 June 2036;\n\nperson responsible, for poultry, means any of the following —\n\n(a) the person who owns the poultry;\n\n(b) the person having care, supervision, custody or control of the poultry;\n\n(c) if a person referred to in paragraph (b) is a member of staff of another person — that other person;\n\n(d) the person who owns, uses, manages or controls the place or vehicle where the poultry are located;\n\n(e) the person who is responsible for the operation of the place at which the poultry are located;\n\npick up, in relation to live poultry —\n\n(a) means removing the live poultry from the shed where the poultry are kept; and\n\n(b) includes removing the live poultry from the shed for slaughter;\n\npoultry means any of the following —\n\n(a) birds in the family Phasianidae, including —\n\n(i) partridges; and\n\n(ii) quails; and\n\n(iii) pheasants; and\n\n(iv) chickens; and\n\n(v) guineafowl; and\n\n(vi) turkeys;\n\n(b) birds in the family Anatidae, including —\n\n(i) ducks; and\n\n(ii) geese;\n\n(c) emus (*Dromaius novaehollandiae*);\n\n(d) ostriches (*Struthio camelus*);\n\n(e) pigeons (*Columba livia*);\n\nshed means a building in which poultry are kept;\n\nsubstrate means loose or friable material for poultry to peck, forage or scratch.\n\n##### 4. Appropriateness of thing or area for poultry\n\nFor the purposes of these regulations, a thing or area is appropriate for poultry if it is appropriate for the welfare, safety and health of the poultry, having regard to all relevant circumstances, including the poultry’s species and the environment in which the poultry are kept or live.\n\n## Part 2 — Cage requirements in laying sheds during Part 2 operative period\n\n### Division 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 5. Application of Part\n\nThis Part applies to a laying shed.\n\nNote for this regulation:\n\nRegulation 30(1) is a defence to a charge of an offence against this Part that an act or omission constituting the offence occurs outside the Part 2 operative period for the laying shed.\n\n##### 6. Terms used\n\nIn this Part —\n\ncontroller, of a laying shed, means a person who is either or both of the following —\n\n(a) the owner or lessee of the cages in the laying shed;\n\n(b) the person having the day‑to‑day management and control of the laying shed;\n\nfloor area, of a cage —\n\n(a) means the area of the lower horizontal plane of the cage measured between the vertical sections of the back and front walls and the vertical sections of the side walls of the cage; and\n\n(b) includes the area under each of the following —\n\n(i) an egg baffle;\n\n(ii) a nipple drinker;\n\n(iii) a water trough;\n\nbut\n\n(c) does not include any other area of the cage that is less than 35 cm in height;\n\nnipple drinker means a nipple attached to a water line.\n\n### Division 2 — Cage design and construction\n\n#### Subdivision 1 — Offence\n\n##### 7. Non‑compliant cages prohibited in laying sheds\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\nnon‑compliant cage means a cage that contains at least 1 laying hen that does not meet each of the requirements set out in Subdivision 2.\n\n(2) A controller of a laying shed commits an offence if the laying shed contains at least 1 non‑compliant cage.\n\nAlternative offence: r. 15(2).\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $20 000 consisting of —\n\n(a) a fine of $10 000; and\n\n(b) an additional fine of $100 for each non‑compliant cage in the laying shed.\n\n#### Subdivision 2 — Requirements for cage design and construction\n\n##### 8. Water and food troughs\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\ncup drinker means a cup that —\n\n(a) is attached to a water line; and\n\n(b) has a lever or other device in it that is operable by a chicken; and\n\n(c) fills with water if a chicken applies pressure to the lever or device.\n\n(2) Each laying hen in a cage must have reasonable access to —\n\n(a) a water trough that is long enough to allow at least 10 cm for each hen in the cage; or\n\n(b) at least 2 cup drinkers or nipple drinkers.\n\n(3) Each laying hen in a cage must have reasonable access to a food trough that is long enough to allow at least 10 cm for each hen in the cage.\n\n##### 9. Floor support\n\nThe floor of a cage must provide support for each forward pointing toe of each laying hen in the cage.\n\n##### 10. Cage height\n\nThe height of a cage must be —\n\n(a) more than the bird level of the tallest laying hen in the cage; and\n\n(b) at least 40 cm for at least 65% of the floor area of the cage.\n\n##### 11. Cage doors\n\n(1) The height of the door of a cage must be not less than 19 cm.\n\n(2) The width of the door of a cage must be not less than —\n\n(a) if the width of the cage is more than 50 cm — 50 cm; or\n\n(b) otherwise — the width of the cage (excluding the width of structural supports for the door).\n\n##### 12. Cages arranged in tiers\n\nIf 2 or more cages are arranged in vertical tiers, the cages must be arranged so that each laying hen in the cages —\n\n(a) is visible for the purpose of inspection; and\n\n(b) is able to be removed easily from the cage; and\n\n(c) is protected from the excreta of hens in cages on higher tiers.\n\n### Division 3 — Stocking densities\n\n##### 13. Cages in laying sheds must have minimum floor area\n\nA controller of a laying shed commits an offence if the laying shed contains at least 1 cage —\n\n(a) that contains at least 1 laying hen; and\n\n(b) the floor area of which is less than —\n\n(i) if the cage contains 1 laying hen — 1 000 cm2; or\n\n(ii) if the cage contains 2 laying hens — 1 350 cm2; or\n\n(iii) if the cage contains 3 or more laying hens — an area calculated by allowing 550 cm2 for each hen.\n\nAlternative offence: r. 15(2).\n\nPenalty: a fine of $20 000 consisting of —\n\n(a) a fine of $10 000; and\n\n(b) an additional fine of $100 for each cage in the laying shed that contains at least 1 laying hen.\n\n## Part 3 — Cage requirements for commercial poultry production in sheds\n\nNote for this Part:\n\nRegulation 30(2) is a defence to a charge of an offence against this Part that an act or omission constituting the offence occurs in relation to a shed to which Part 2 applies and it occurs during the Part 2 operative period for the shed.\n\n##### 14. Application of Part\n\nThis Part applies to laying hens —\n\n(a) kept for commercial poultry production; and\n\n(b) continually housed in cages in a shed.\n\n##### 15. Cages to have adequate space\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\nusable space, in relation to a cage —\n\n(a) means the part of the cage in which a laying hen can move around freely and perform normal postures; but\n\n(b) does not include the parts of the cage that —\n\n(i) are nest areas; or\n\n(ii) have raised perches, feed troughs or other structures.\n\n(2) A person responsible for a laying hen must ensure that the usable space of a cage in which the laying hen is housed —\n\n(a) is at least 55 cm in height; and\n\n(b) has an area of —\n\n(i) if 1 laying hen is in the cage — at least 1 000 cm2; or\n\n(ii) if 2 or more laying hens are in the cage — at least 750 cm2 for each hen in the cage.\n\nAlternative offence: r. 7(2) or 13.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n##### 16. Laying hens to have access to adequate nest areas from point of lay\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\npoint of lay, in relation to a laying hen, means the age at which the laying hen will start to lay eggs.\n\n(2) A person responsible for a laying hen must ensure that, from just before the laying hen’s point of lay, the cage in which the laying hen is housed has —\n\n(a) 1 appropriate nest area for every 7 hens that has space for those chickens to nest; or\n\n(b) 1 appropriate nest area for every 120 hens that is at least 1 m2.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n##### 17. Laying hens to have access to adequate perches or platforms\n\nA person responsible for a laying hen must ensure that the cage in which the laying hen is housed has a perch or platform that is at least 15 cm in length for each laying hen housed in the cage.\n\nPenalty: a fine of $15 000.\n\n##### 18. Laying hens to have access to areas for scratching or foraging\n\nA person responsible for a laying hen must ensure that the laying hen has access to —\n\n(a) an outdoor area; or\n\n(b) all of the following —\n\n(i) substrate that is appropriate for the laying hen;\n\n(ii) an abrasive device used for shortening the laying hen’s claws;\n\n(iii) a surface area or flooring that allows the laying hen to forage and scratch.\n\nPenalty: a fine of $15 000.\n\n## Part 4 — Requirements for ducks\n\n##### 19. Breeding ducks to have access to water\n\n(1) A person responsible for a breeding duck at a place where breeding ducks are kept must ensure that the duck has —\n\n(a) reasonable access to water so that the duck can dip their head under the water; or\n\n(b) constant access to a bathing system that —\n\n(i) is appropriate for the duck; and\n\n(ii) gives the duck full body access to water for bathing; and\n\n(iii) allows the duck to wet preen and clean their eyes and nostrils.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(2) It is a defence to a charge for an offence against subregulation (1) that an act or omission constituting the offence occurs before 1 July 2032 at a place where breeding ducks are kept that began operations before 1 July 2022.\n\n## Part 5 — Poultry standards\n\n##### 20. Application of Part\n\nThis Part applies to poultry (captive poultry) bred, reared or kept in captivity.\n\n##### 21. Indoor housing systems for poultry to have appropriate firefighting equipment\n\nA person responsible for captive poultry that are housed indoors must ensure that appropriate firefighting equipment is maintained for, and accessible from, the place where the poultry are housed.\n\nPenalty: a fine of $15 000.\n\n##### 22. Captive poultry to have access to appropriate substrate\n\n(1) A person responsible for captive poultry must ensure that the poultry have access to substrate that is appropriate for the poultry.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(2) Subregulation (1) does not apply to captive poultry that are laying hens to which Part 2 or 3 applies.\n\n##### 23. Requirements for outside areas for captive poultry\n\nIf captive poultry housed indoors have access to an outdoor area, a person responsible for the poultry must ensure that the outdoor area has all of the following areas that are appropriate for the poultry —\n\n(a) shaded areas;\n\n(b) sheltered areas that minimise threats to the poultry from predators;\n\n(c) an area that allows the poultry to forage and scratch;\n\n(d) a number of access points from indoor housing that are high and wide enough to allow the poultry to enter and leave the outdoor area with a normal posture without hitting the edges of the access point.\n\nPenalty: a fine of $15 000.\n\n##### 24. Light requirements\n\n(1) A person responsible for captive poultry, other than captive poultry that are less than 7 days of age and kept under a heat lamp or in a brooder, must ensure that the place where the poultry are kept is not illuminated for any continuous period of 24 hours.\n\nNote for this subregulation:\n\nSee regulation 25 for the minimum darkness requirements.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(2) A person responsible for captive poultry that are less than 4 days of age must ensure that, when the place where the poultry are kept is illuminated, it is illuminated with a light intensity of at least 20 lux at bird level.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(3) A person responsible for captive poultry that are at least 4 days of age must ensure that, when the place where the poultry are kept is illuminated, it is illuminated with a light intensity of at least 10 lux at bird level.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(4) Subregulation (3) does not apply if a veterinarian —\n\n(a) considers a light intensity of less than 10 lux at bird level for a period is necessary to control the captive poultry from pecking or eating each other; and\n\n(b) considers the period is the shortest period necessary to control the captive poultry from pecking or eating each other; and\n\n(c) provides instructions and guidance to the person who illuminates the place or the person responsible for the captive poultry for the period; and\n\n(d) oversees and evaluates how the place is illuminated by the person who illuminates the place or the person responsible for the captive poultry; and\n\n(e) is able to be contacted by the person who illuminates the place or the person responsible for the captive poultry.\n\n##### 25. Darkness requirements\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\ndark, for a place, means all artificial lighting is turned off in the place;\n\nlaying chicken —\n\n(a) means a chicken reared, kept and managed for egg production; but\n\n(b) does not include a breeding chicken.\n\n(2) A person responsible for captive poultry that are less than 7 days of age, other than captive poultry that are kept under a heat lamp or in a brooder, must ensure that, in every 24‑hour period, the place where the poultry are kept is dark for at least a continuous period of 1 hour.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(3) A person responsible for captive poultry, other than captive poultry that are less than 7 days of age and kept under a heat lamp or in a brooder, must ensure that the place where the poultry are kept is not dark for any continuous period of 24 hours.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(4) A person responsible for captive poultry must ensure that, in every 24‑hour period, the place where the poultry are kept is dark for —\n\n(a) at least 6 hours in total; and\n\n(b) at least 1 continuous period of 4 hours.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(5) Subregulation (4) does not apply if —\n\n(a) the captive poultry are —\n\n(i) less than 7 days of age; or\n\n(ii) laying chickens that are less than 16 weeks of age; or\n\n(iii) breeder poultry that are less than 16 weeks of age;\n\nor\n\n(b) the act or omission constituting the offence against subregulation (4) occurs on the day on which the captive poultry are being removed from a shed for pick up; or\n\n(c) the act or omission constituting the offence against subregulation (4) occurs to reduce or prevent the captive poultry huddling or clumping during periods of high temperatures in the place; or\n\n(d) the act or omission constituting the offence against subregulation (4) occurs during an outbreak of disease and a veterinarian —\n\n(i) considers the period of the contravention is the shortest period necessary to control or eliminate the outbreak; and\n\n(ii) provides instructions and guidance to the person who illuminates the place or the person responsible for the captive poultry for the period; and\n\n(iii) oversees and evaluates how the place is illuminated by the person who illuminates the place or the person responsible for the captive poultry; and\n\n(iv) is able to be contacted by the person who illuminates the place or the person responsible for the captive poultry.\n\n##### 26. Limits on ammonia levels in commercial poultry production\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\nmechanically‑ventilated shed means a shed that is ventilated mechanically by stirring fans and a water‑based cooling system (other than an evaporative cooling system);\n\ntunnel‑ventilated shed means a shed that is ventilated by a tunnel of air created through an extractive system that has an evaporative cooling system capable of providing 1 air exchange in each minute;\n\nusable space, in relation to a shed where a chicken is bred, reared or otherwise kept in captivity —\n\n(a) means the part of the shed in which the chicken can move around freely and perform normal postures; but\n\n(b) does not include the parts of the shed that —\n\n(i) are nest areas; or\n\n(ii) have raised perches, feed troughs or other structures.\n\n(2) This regulation applies to captive poultry in sheds used for commercial poultry production other than chickens that are —\n\n(a) more than 10 days of age; and\n\n(b) bred, reared, kept and managed for meat production, unless those chickens are breeding chickens reared, kept and managed for breeding chickens for meat production; and\n\n(c) kept in a shed with a stocking density of —\n\n(i) if the chickens are kept in a tunnel‑ventilated shed — more than 34 kg of live body weight per square metre but less than 38 kg of live body weight per square metre of the shed’s usable space; and\n\n(ii) if the chickens are kept in a mechanically‑ventilated shed and will be picked up between 1 April and 30 September — more than 34 kg of live body weight per square metre but less than 38 kg of live body weight per square metre of the shed’s usable space; and\n\n(iii) if the chickens are kept in a mechanically‑ventilated shed and will be picked up between 1 October and 31 March — more than 34 kg of live body weight per square metre but less than 36 kg of live body weight per square metre of the shed’s usable space.\n\n(3) The person responsible for the captive poultry must ensure that the level of ammonia in the shed is continuously monitored.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(4) The person responsible for the captive poultry must ensure that, if the level of ammonia in the shed exceeds 15 ppm at bird level, immediate action is taken to reduce the ammonia level in the shed to below 15 ppm.\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n##### 27. Beak trimming\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\nhot blade means a blade heated to a temperature between 595°C and 750°C that cuts through and cauterises the beaks of poultry;\n\ntrim, in relation to the beaks of poultry, means remove part of the beaks of the poultry.\n\n(2) A person responsible for captive poultry kept for commercial poultry production must ensure that the beaks of the poultry are not trimmed other than as permitted under subregulation (3) or (4).\n\nPenalty for this subregulation: a fine of $15 000.\n\n(3) A person may trim the beaks of poultry if —\n\n(a) the poultry are at a hatchery; and\n\n(b) it is done within the period of 24 hours before the poultry are moved from an incubator into a container to be transported from the hatchery; and\n\n(c) it is done using an infrared beam; and\n\n(d) no more than 30% of the upper and lower beak is removed.\n\n(4) A person may trim the beaks of poultry if —\n\n(a) it is done using a hot blade; and\n\n(b) it is done in accordance with advice from a veterinarian; and\n\n(c) it is done to control harmful feather pecking; and\n\n(d) the person is competent under subregulation (5) using the hot blade; and\n\n(e) no more than 30% of the upper and lower beak is removed.\n\n(5) For the purposes of subregulation (4)(d), a person is competent to carry out beak trimming using a hot blade if the person —\n\n(a) has the experience, knowledge, skills, temperament and training to do so; and\n\n(b) has evidence of that experience, knowledge, skills, temperament and training, including evidence of —\n\n(i) relevant training the person has completed; and\n\n(ii) relevant experience, including evidence from previous supervisors.\n\n## Part 6 — Defences to offences\n\n##### 28. Use of poultry under licence for scientific purposes\n\nIt is a defence to a charge for an offence against these regulations that —\n\n(a) the person charged uses the poultry for scientific purposes; and\n\n(b) the person charged is a scientific establishment, or a member of staff or a student of a scientific establishment, that holds a licence authorising the use of the poultry for scientific purposes; and\n\n(c) the animal ethics committee of the scientific establishment has given approval, in accordance with the scientific use code, for the person to so use the poultry; and\n\n(d) the person charged uses the poultry in accordance with the licence and approval; and\n\n(e) the person charged uses the poultry in a humane manner.\n\n##### 29. Person responsible not in actual control of poultry\n\nIt is a defence to a charge for an offence against these regulations that —\n\n(a) the person responsible for poultry who is charged either —\n\n(i) owns the poultry; or\n\n(ii) owns, uses, manages or controls the place or vehicle where the poultry are located;\n\nand\n\n(b) another person has care, supervision, custody or control of the poultry when the act or omission alleged to have constituted the offence occurs; and\n\n(c) the person charged takes reasonable steps to ensure that the poultry are properly treated and cared for when the other person has the care, supervision, custody or control of the poultry.\n\n##### 30. Offence against Parts 2 and 3 during particular periods\n\n(1) It is a defence to a charge of an offence against Part 2 that an act or omission constituting the offence did not occur during the Part 2 operative period for the laying shed to which the charge relates.\n\n(2) It is a defence to a charge of an offence against Part 3 that —\n\n(a) the shed where the laying hen to which the charge relates is housed is a laying shed; and\n\n(b) an act or omission constituting the offence occurs during the Part 2 operative period for the laying shed.\n\n## Part 7 — Repeal\n\n##### 31. Regulations repealed\n\nThe *Animal Welfare (Commercial Poultry) Regulations 2008* are repealed.\n\n![]()\n\nNotes\n\nThis is a compilation of the *Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024*. For provisions that have come into operation see the compilation table.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Citation** | **Published** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| *Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024* | SL 2024/266 11 Dec 2024 | Pt. 1: 11 Dec 2024 (see r. 2(a));   Regulations other than Pt. 1 and 5: 12 Dec 2024 (see r. 2(c));   Pt. 5: 1 Jul 2025 (see r. 2(b)) |\n\n\nDefined terms\n\n*[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]*\n\n**Defined term Provision(s)**\n\nappropriate 3, 4\n\nbird level 3\n\nbreeding 3\n\nbrooder 3\n\ncaptive poultry 3, 20\n\nchicken 3\n\ncommercial egg production 3\n\ncommercial poultry production 3\n\ncontroller 6\n\ncup drinker 8(1)\n\ndark 25(1)\n\nfloor area 6\n\nhot blade 27(1)\n\nlaying chicken 25(1)\n\nlaying hen 3\n\nlaying shed 3\n\nmechanically-ventilated shed 26(1)\n\nnest area 3\n\nnipple drinker 6\n\nnon-compliant cage 7(1)\n\nPart 2 operative period 3\n\nperson responsible 3\n\npick up 3\n\npoint of lay 16(1)\n\npoultry 3\n\npublication day 2\n\nshed 3\n\nsubstrate 3\n\ntrim 27(1)\n\ntunnel-ventilated shed 26(1)\n\nusable space 15(1), 26(1)\n\n© State of Western Australia 2025.\n\nThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). To view relevant information and for a link to a copy of the licence, visit www.legislation.wa.gov.au.\n\nAttribute work as: © State of Western Australia 2025.\n\nBy Authority: GEOFF O. LAWN, Government Printer\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed — the legislative text was unavailable. No comparison between original intent and final form is possible from the information provided."},"complexity_factors":["No actual legislative text was retrievable — complexity cannot be properly assessed","Score of 2 reflects only what can be inferred from the title: regulations of this type typically involve technical animal husbandry standards but follow a straightforward compliance-based structure","Subordinate legislation (regulations) is generally less complex than parent Acts but may cross-reference industry codes and standards, which can add layers"],"plain_english_summary":"## Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024 (WA)\n\n**The page content is unavailable** — the source document could not be retrieved because the Western Australian legislation website link is broken or has moved.\n\nWhat can be inferred from the **title alone**:\n- This is a **Western Australian regulation** (subordinate legislation made under a parent Act, likely the *Animal Welfare Act 2002* (WA))\n- It specifically governs **the treatment and welfare of poultry** (chickens, turkeys, ducks, and similar birds raised commercially or domestically)\n- It likely sets **minimum standards** for housing, handling, transport, slaughter, and general care of poultry\n- It would affect **farmers, poultry producers, processors, transporters, and anyone keeping poultry** in Western Australia\n\n⚠️ **A full legal analysis cannot be provided** because the actual text of the regulations was not accessible. To read the legislation, visit the [Western Australian Legislation website](https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au) and search directly for this title."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"These Regulations replace the Animal Welfare (Commercial Poultry) Regulations 2008 (r.31) and impose a more detailed, numeric regulatory regime for commercial and captive poultry (see definitions and application at r.3, r.14). They add new continuous‑monitoring and action duties (ammonia monitoring r.26(3)–(4)), specific beak‑trimming limits and competence proof (r.27(2)–(5)), staged commencement of Part 5 (r.2(b)) and transitional defences tied to installation and operation dates (Part 2 operative period r.3; defences r.28–30)."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive technical definitions and measurement rules (floor area, usable space, bird level, Part 2 operative period) requiring precise physical measurement (rr. 3, 6, 15(1))","Multiple numeric thresholds for different species, systems and ages (cm/cm2 heights/areas, lux, ammonia ppm, kg/m2 stocking densities) scattered through the text (rr. 8–13, 15, 24–26)","Phased commencement and transitional relief tied to installation dates (Part 2 operative period definition (r.3) and commencement dates (r.2))","Overlapping application rules and cross‑defences between Part 2 and Part 3 producing conditional liability (r.5 note, r.14, r.30)","Multiple alternative offence provisions, differing penalties and aggregation rules (r.7(2) alternative offence, penalty formulas in rr.7,13,15, etc.)","Operational compliance burdens: continuous ammonia monitoring and required immediate remedial action (r.26(3)–(4))","Veterinary exceptions and competence certification requirements (beak trimming competence, vet oversight for lighting exceptions) that entrust professional discretion (rr.24(4), 27(4)–(5))","Record and evidence demands for competency, licensing, and animal ethics approvals where defences apply (rr.27(5), 28)","Prescriptive design and husbandry requirements that interact with farm layouts and equipment (tiering, nest ratios, perch lengths, access points) creating retrofit costs (rr.10–12, 16–18, 23)","Regulatory replacement of previous rules and schedule complexity from repeal and compilation notes (repeal r.31 and compilation table)"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set technical standards for keeping poultry in Western Australia — specifying cage dimensions, stocking densities, water and feed access, lighting and darkness periods, ammonia monitoring, beak‑trimming limits, duck water access, substrate, firefighting equipment and outdoor‑area features. They mainly affect commercial poultry businesses, laying‑shed controllers and other persons responsible for poultry, create civil penalties for non‑compliance, and stage commencement with transitional defences for older installations."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original intent as a poultry welfare instrument. While it expands significantly on the repealed 2008 regulations (adding detailed cage specifications, duck requirements, and beak trimming rules), this represents a deepening of regulatory detail within the established animal welfare framework rather than scope creep into unrelated areas. The structure remains focused on commercial poultry operations as indicated by the title and parent Act."},"complexity_factors":["Dual regulatory frameworks for cages: Parts 2 and 3 create overlapping but distinct regimes with different space calculations (floor area vs usable space), different penalty structures, and complex transitional arrangements","Nested temporal exceptions: The 'Part 2 operative period' creates five different phase-out dates (2032–2036) based on cage installation dates, with cross-referenced defences in Part 6","Heavily conditional logic in Part 5: Regulation 25 (darkness requirements) contains four subregulations with multiple exceptions, including nested exceptions in subregulation (5) with four separate exemption categories","Technical measurement requirements: 19 defined terms including precise spatial measurements (cm², cm, lux, ppm, kg/m²) and species-specific definitions","Alternative offence provisions: Regulations 7, 13 and 15 create alternative charging pathways that reference each other, requiring prosecutors to navigate multiple compliance routes","Veterinary oversight conditions: Regulations 24(4) and 27(4) impose multi-element tests requiring specific professional judgments, documentation, and availability requirements","Density calculations in regulation 26: Complex stocking density formulas varying by ventilation type (tunnel vs mechanical), pick-up dates (April–September vs October–March), and weight ranges (34–38 kg/m²)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is Western Australian law that sets minimum welfare standards for keeping poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys, quails, emus, ostriches and pigeons) in commercial operations.\n\n**What it does:**\nThe regulations replace older 2008 rules and create detailed requirements for how birds must be housed, fed, watered and cared for. The rules are stricter for caged laying hens (hens kept for egg production) and include a long phase-out period for old-style battery cages.\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n**For caged laying hens (Parts 2 & 3):**\n- **Space:** Minimum floor space per bird (roughly 750–1,000 cm² depending on cage size and timing)\n- **Cage design:** Minimum heights (40+ cm), door sizes, and floors that support the birds' feet\n- **Enrichment:** Access to nest boxes, perches (15 cm per bird), and scratching/foraging areas\n- **Food & water:** Trough space of at least 10 cm per bird or multiple drinkers\n- **Gradual phase-out:** Existing cage systems get 8–12 years to comply (until 2032–2036) depending on when cages were installed\n\n**For all captive poultry (Part 5):**\n- **Light/dark cycles:** No 24-hour continuous lighting; minimum 6 hours darkness daily (including 4 hours continuous), with exceptions for very young birds\n- **Fire safety:** Indoor housing must have appropriate firefighting equipment\n- **Substrate:** Birds must have material to peck and scratch (unless already covered by cage rules)\n- **Outdoor access:** If provided, must have shade, shelter from predators, and wide enough doors\n- **Air quality:** Ammonia levels monitored and kept below 15 parts per million in high-density operations\n- **Beak trimming:** Strictly limited—only allowed at hatcheries using infrared within 24 hours of hatching, or later with hot blades only under veterinary supervision and to control feather pecking\n\n**For ducks (Part 4):**\n- Breeding ducks must have access to water deep enough to dip their heads or full-body bathing systems (existing operations get until 2032 to comply)\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Commercial egg producers (50+ hens)\n- Meat chicken farmers\n- Hatcheries\n- Anyone breeding or keeping poultry for sale\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law phases out the worst battery cage systems over time while immediately banning new non-compliant cages. It recognises that birds need to perform natural behaviours (nesting, perching, foraging, dust bathing) and sets enforceable standards with significant fines (up to $20,000) for non-compliance. The long transition periods reflect the economic reality of replacing existing infrastructure while pushing the industry toward higher welfare systems."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024","history":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024/history","analysis":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-poultry-regulations-2024/documents"}}