From January 1, 2026, Ukraine has entered into force requirements to the welfare of broilers during their keeping. The aim of these rules is to make the life of the bird more comfortable, reduce the risk of disease and stress, and improve the quality of the products received by consumers.
From now on, broiler keeping is regulated by clear standards regarding stocking density, climate conditions and care. Owners and staff must have a sufficient level of knowledge about broiler welfare, regularly inspect the birds, paying attention to signs of illness or stress, ensure that water and feed are available to all, and the litter always remains dry and loose. The climate in the room also plays an important role - ventilation, heating and cooling must provide a comfortable temperature, humidity and appropriate levels of ammonia and carbon dioxide in the house.
Important for the broiler owner!
- If a farmer plans to house poultry with a density of more than 33 kg/m², he must notify the territorial body of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection within 15 days, provide a plan of the poultry house, feeding and watering system, ventilation schemes, thermoregulation and emergency alarm systems and backup equipment, type of flooring and bedding used. This will allow monitoring of housing conditions and timely prevention of problems.
- The owner or keeper of farm animals is obliged to keep records of treatment and use of veterinary medicines - in electronic or paper form, indicating the period and quantity of medicines, as well as record the number of dead animals found during the inspection. The documentation accompanying the relevant flock of broilers to the slaughterhouse must contain the daily mortality and cumulative daily mortality rates calculated by the broiler keeper, as well as information on treatment and broiler hybrids/breeds.
The new requirements are important not only for the poultry, but also for farmers. Broilers will become healthier, less injured and stressed, which will reduce mortality, increase productivity and improve the quality and safety of the resulting food products. Farmers will receive clear rules, and the state will provide support in their implementation and control over their compliance.
This is a step towards modern, ethical and transparent poultry farming, which meets European standards and increases consumer confidence in Ukrainian products.
Together with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the European project EU4SaferFood, infographics were developed that briefly show the requirements for the welfare of broilers during their maintenance.
You can find various information materials on the requirements for the welfare of farm animals on the official web portal of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection: https://dpss.gov.ua/diyalnist/bezpechnist-harchovih-produktiv-ta-veterinarna-medicina/blahopoluchchia-tvaryn.
