Approved by NCC Executive Committee January 27, 2005
NATIONAL CHICKEN COUNCIL
1015 15 TH Street NW
Suite 930
Washington DC 20005 phone (202) 296-2622 fax (202) 293-4005

• NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
(Reflecting changes through February 1, 2005)
• NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
(Reflecting changes through February 1, 2005)

As of February 1, 2005
The National Chicken Council (NCC) is the association representing vertically integrated broiler producer-processors. NCC recommends the following guidelines to its members to assure the humane treatment of animals and to promote the production of quality products.
Domestic animals are adaptable to a variety of conditions. Today’s chicken has been purposefully selected to thrive under modern management. We believe current good management practices that avoid destructive behavior, prevent disease, and promote good health and production, are consistent with the generally accepted criteria of humane treatment. The specific applications of these criteria are spelled out in the NCC
Animal Welfare Audit Checklist, which should be used to assess compliance with these Guidelines .
Those integrated chicken producer-processors endorsing these Guidelines should designate a management person or group within the company responsible for promoting adherence to the Guidelines.
Practices that promote good health and welfare of broilers are categorized as follows:
-- Education, training and planning
--
-- Proper nutrition and feeding
-- Appropriate comfort and shelter
--
-- Ability to move about and display most normal patterns of behavior
--
--
Best practices on the farm
Catching and transportation
--
-- Breeder operations (if the subject operation includes breeders)

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 2
1). Every company that adopts these Guidelines should have a person or a management group in charge of promoting adherence to the Guidelines.
2). Each company must have a documented training program for all employees involved in handling live animals. All employees involved in handling live birds must receive training in the appropriate section(s) of these Guidelines to allow them to do their jobs in accordance with the Guidelines.
3). Each company and each producer should have a written plan for disaster response and recovery, including, but not limited to, structural damage and water, feed and electrical outages. Producers should have current contact information for local emergency services, and each company must provide each producer with a
“telephone tree” of emergency contacts at the company.
1). Conditions that optimize hatchability and minimize early mortality are also favorable to good welfare of hatching birds. Control of climate and sanitation from the hatching process through delivery should be monitored to assure maximum protection of newly hatched birds. The company must have a temperature range goal for the holding room in the hatchery (a minimum of 72 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended) and must have a working thermostat to ensure that the target temperature range is maintained. The company should also have an alarm system or regular monitoring system in use to alert hatchery personnel to failure of critical systems (heat, electricity).
2). Both manual and automated processing systems should be designed, maintained, and operated in a manner that prevents injuries to the chicks.
3). Each hatchery shall have employees who are charged with recording and reporting chick injuries to the management so that corrective action can be taken to avoid preventable injuries. Corrective action should be recorded. Injuries should be rare.
4). Chicks judged as unlikely to thrive should be removed and euthanized prior to disposal, and “pipped” eggs should be properly culled and destroyed. All handling of chicks, including vaccination, sexing, and delivery, should be done to avoid injuries.
5). Recommended Practice: Euthanasia of pips and culls is best accomplished by instantaneous mechanical destruction (maceration). Culls may be destroyed with a properly designed and operated carbon dioxide system precharged with 90% of

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 3
CO
2
in the chamber in which birds are kept until irreversible loss of consciousness occurs. Other euthanasia systems must be validated for humaneness.
6). Beak trimming is not allowed in broilers.
1). Diets should be formulated and fed to prevent all signs of nutritional deficiency and to promote good health and normal maintenance and production (weight gain, egg production ).
2). Recommended Practices: Feed composition must be research-based to meet nutritional needs of the animals. Companies should consider the recommendations of the National Research Council and utilize current research to ensure that the diet is adequate to the needs of the broilers.
3). Feed and watering systems should provide adequate access for all birds. Signs of unequal access should result in a change in feed presentation or special provisions for birds denied access.
4). Generally speaking, commercial breeders and broilers should not lose weight.
Decisions to modify the rate of weight gain (for production or health related reasons) are acceptable.
5). Water should be made available in adequate quantities for normal hydration, health, and productivity.
6). Feed mills should meet good manufacturing practices.
1). Housing should be adequate to protect the birds from anticipated environmental conditions, including normally expected levels of heat, cold, and precipitation, as well as from predatory animals such as hawks and foxes.
2). Premises should be maintained in a clean and orderly fashion.
3). Vermin should be controlled through the use of bait stations, traps and other appropriate and effective measures.
4). Biosecurity procedures, such as bactericidal footbaths for visitors, should be in place.
5). Ventilation systems should be of adequate design and should be maintained and operated in such a manner to provide quality air at all times, including the provision of oxygen, removal of carbon dioxide and noxious gases, and reasonable control of humidity. Each facility should have a written protocol for minimum ventilation requirements, including temperature and dust control; heating program; and static

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 4 pressure (when applicable).
6). Ammonia in the atmosphere should not exceed 25 parts per million; 10 parts per million should be the goal.
7). Moisture in litter should not exceed 35 percent (loosely compacted when squeezed in the hand); litter, ventilation, drinking systems and feed formulation should be managed to minimize foot problems. Visible cracks and ulcers on feet should be avoided. Where used, slats and wire floors should be well maintained, and animal waste removed on a regular program.
8). A reliable system or safety devices should be in place to alert caretakers to power failures or ventilation system failures; emergency procedures should be in place to provide adequate ventilation in the event of a power failure.
1). Qualified veterinary care must be available.
2). Each company must have a written health plan developed in consultation with a veterinarian to include at a minimum: vaccinations; daily checks on bird condition; mortality/morbidity monitoring; identify signs/behaviors triggering vet call; measures taken to prevent transmission of disease among flocks and to control avian pathogens in light of health status of the previous flock.
3). A layout period of 10 to 14 days between flocks is recommended but may be modified based on health status of the flock, weather emergencies, litter replacement, total cleanout, and/or utilization of practices and technologies that lower the health risk to the birds. Approval of the veterinarian is required before the layout period is shortened.
4). Companies must monitor feed intake, bird health including eye and leg health, and lameness.
5). Chicks should be vaccinated against common poultry diseases.
1). Birds should be allowed to roam freely throughout the growing area. Bird welfare at different stocking densities will depend on access to feeders and drinkers, lighting program, type of housing, ventilation system, feeder/drinker equipment, litter management, and husbandry, but density shall not exceed the following limits:

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 5
Maximum Bird Weight Range Maximum Stocking Density
Below 4.5 lbs liveweight
4.5 to 5.5 lbs liveweight
6.5 pounds per square foot
7.5 pounds per square foot
More than 5.5 pounds liveweight 8.5 pounds per square foot
2). Birds that exhibit stunted growth and obvious gait defects that limit an individual bird’s ability to move about or access feed and water for normal growth and development (stage 4 or 5 on the modified Kestin gait score*) should be humanely euthanized.
3). The use of a lighting program is recommended to help manage growth and weight gain in broilers. Lighting programs of increasing or decreasing intensities and periods are utilized to slow early growth in broilers. When continuous or nearcontinuous lighting is used, lighting should be subdued for most of the period in which the lights are on . Except for the first week and the last two weeks of growout, the flock should be provided with at least four hours of darkness in every
24, in which illumination at bird level does not exceed 50 percent of the light level in the remaining hours; the four hours of darkness may be provided in increments of one, two or four hours.
* Garner et al 2002 (Stage 4: “Bird remains squatting when approached or nudged . . . the bird can walk when picked up by the observer and placed in a standing position, but squats immediately following one or two steps . . .” Stage 5: “The bird cannot walk . . . it may attempt to stand when approached but is unable to do so, and when placed on its feet is unable to complete a step with one or both legs.”)
1). Flocks should be inspected at least twice a day.
2). The light level should be adequate for inspection, and the caretaker should pass close enough to the birds to observe them.
3). Any dead birds should be removed; and all feeding, drinking, and ventilation systems checked for proper operation on a daily basis.
4). The following are acceptable methods of on-farm euthanasia: decapitation. b) Rapid cervical disarticulation. c) Displacement of oxygen with nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other approved gas. d) Any other American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or American
Humane Association (AHA) approved method.

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 6
1). Whenever birds are handled for any reason, including vaccinations, treatments, and movement to new facilities or to processing, handling should be accomplished in such a manner as to avoid injuries. Abuse of the animals should not be tolerated under any circumstances.
2). Supervisors of catching crews have the responsibility for training crew members in handling of birds so as to minimize injury to the birds. The company should have a system in place to ensure that this responsibility is being met.
3). The company should also have an incentive or recognition program in place to encourage humane handling of birds by crew members and discourage inappropriate handling.
4). The number of birds in the catcher’s hand depends on the size of the bird and should not cause injury to the birds. For birds weighing more than four pounds, the maximum number of birds per hand is five.
5). Catchers may not catch or carry birds by the wings or necks.
6). The company should monitor birds for field-caused leg damage and internal injuries.
7). Transport coops should be appropriately sized and should be in good repair so that birds cannot escape during transit.
8). Density in the coops should permit the birds to sit during transport without being on top of one another (in a single layer).
9). During transport and holding, birds should be protected from extremes of heat and cold and should be provided with adequate ventilation.
10). Holding times should be kept to the minimum consistent with good processing practices.
11). The number of animals dead on arrival (DOA) at the plant should be minimized.
12). Any company that employs mechanical catching systems should develop protocols to ensure humane handling of birds. Goal is to ensure that mechanical catching is at least equal to hand-catching in terms of bruises, injuries, and DOA’s.
1). Withdrawal of feed and water is necessary for sanitary processing procedures and food safety. Feed and water withdrawal should be kept to the minimum level consistent with good processing practices.
2). Properly designed and maintained facilities should be provided for bird delivery to

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 7 the processing plant. Best management technology, such as adjustment of light levels, should be in use to help keep birds calm. Personnel should be carefully trained in proper delivery and handling techniques.
3). Holding areas should be equipped with an adequate number of fans to ensure proper ventilation for birds.
4). Stunning and killing equipment should be constantly monitored to insure proper functioning for humane processing. Birds should be insensible to pain when killed.
A post-stun posture that includes arched neck and wings tucked in is visual evidence of an effective stun. Backup personnel should be employed at the killing station to euthanize manually any bird not properly killed by the equipment.
5). All birds should be dead before entering the scalder. An uncut “red bird” after the picker is a sign of system malfunction.
6). Personnel and equipment should handle birds in a manner that minimizes broken legs and wings. Broken or dislocated wings should not exceed five percent of wings, calculated as specified in the NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist.
7). Any live birds culled at the plant must be handled by: b. Rapid cervical disarticulation. c. Displacement of oxygen with nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other approved gas. d. Any other American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or American
Humane Association (AHA) approved method.
8). Abuse of the animals will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Breeder pullets and cockerels are younger females and males, respectively, in flocks used to produce the eggs that become broilers (young meat chickens). Breeders have special requirements that must be met in a humane manner. These include:
1). Feed . Adequate access to feed and water must be provided.
Because modern meat-type chickens grow rapidly, obesity can be a serious health and welfare problem in breeders. Moderation of feed intake to maintain frame size and body weight consistent with good health and production are acceptable management practices promoting good welfare.

NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines
Version of February 1, 2005
Page 8
2). Water . Moderated feeding programs may result in over-consumption of water, which can adversely impact welfare. Restrictions on excessive water intake on offfeed days, usually by limiting water availability to certain times of the day, with due consideration to environmental conditions, promotes overall welfare and is an acceptable practice.
3). Housing . Breeder male natural behavior has necessitated practices such as the gradual introduction of males to breeder houses and subsequent addition of fresh males, in order to maintain productivity and promote welfare. Provision for separate male housing for these extra males is therefore necessary. These facilities should be managed in such a way that social groups are small and stable.
4). Management . Any company that practices the gradual introduction of males into the breeder house will have a plan to do so in a manner that promotes overall flock well-being. Adequate space in nest boxes must be provided for hens.
5). Handling . Certain procedures that may cause short-term stress are necessary for the long-term welfare of the flock. Most of these procedures are to reduce injuries among birds. The following are examples of acceptable management practices promoting long-term welfare. Other similar practices may be acceptable, and the following is not intended to be a definitive list of acceptable practices. a). Precision beak trimming. b). Clipping the inside toe(s) of cockerels. c). Dubbing the combs of cockerels
These practices should be accomplished to minimize stress and should be performed by well-trained personnel using properly designed and maintained equipment. Beak trimming, where performed, should be performed with a heated blade or laser, should be conducted at 10 days of age or less, and should remove no more than the tip of the beak.
ORIGINALLY APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FEBRUARY 1999
REVISION APPROVED BY TASK FORCE JANUARY 2001
ADDITIONAL REVISIONS MADE BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANUARY 18, 2001
ADDITIONAL REVISIONS MADE BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANUARY 30, 2001
ADDITIONAL REVISIONS MADE BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FEBRUARY 13, 2001
APPROVED AS REVISED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FEBRUARY 13, 2001
REVISIONS RECOMMENDED BY TASK FORCE JULY 2001
APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR SUBMISSION TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER 19, 2001
APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OCTOBER 10, 2001
REVISIONS RECOMMENDED BY TASK FORCE DECEMBER 2001
REVISIONS APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANUARY 17, 2002
REVISION RECOMENDED BY TASK FORCE DECEMER 2002
REVISION APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANUARY 23, 2003
AMENDMENT APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH 1, 2003
REVISIONS APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANUARY 27, 2005

As amended February 1, 2005
The following checklist is provided to assist chicken companies in complying with the
Animal Welfare Guidelines recommended by the National Chicken Council and voluntarily adopted by this company. This audit checklist should be used in conjunction with the
Guidelines.
This audit applies to the following company, complex or facility:
Auditor:____________________________________________________________________
Company and Plant:_____________________________________________Est. No.:______
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________ Fax: _____________________ Date: ___________________
Accompanied by: ____________________________________________________________
Title _______________________________________________________________________
Summary:
Available Score*
Facility Score
Education, training and planning
100
Hatchery 175
Nutrition and Feeding 150
Comfort & Shelter
Health Care
Normal Behavior
On-Farm Best Practices
200
100
100
100
Catching and Transportation 300
Processing 200
Subtotal, Broilers 1,425
Breeder Pullets & Cockerels 175
TOTAL 1,600
* Enter Maximum Available Score for each category by omitting scores for systems not in use, e.g., mechanical catching. Possible omissions are indicated by parentheses around maximum score below, e.g., (25) for mechanical catching. If mechanical catching is not in use, Maximum Available Score for Catching and Transportation is 275.

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 1
Education and training
Designated management
Required training
Pipped eggs
Euthanasia system
Designated person or management group in charge of animal welfare practices.
Personnel involved in handling live animals should receive sufficient training.
Emergency planning Emergency response and recovery plan on hand.
Pipped eggs must be culled.
Macerator or CO
2 system in place as specified or other system validated for humaneness.
Identify designated person or management group.
Verify that the company or producer being audited has a training program and that the training program has been completed by personnel involved in handling live animals.
Verify company has plan and producer has contact information.
Verify range goal and thermostat.
Hatchery
Target temperature Must have temperature range goal in holding room.
Alarm system
Reporting system
Alarm system or regular monitoring in place to protect against critical systems failure
System in place to
Culling record and report injuries and take corrective action.
Chicks unlikely to thrive should be euthanized.
Verify system in place.
Verify system in place.
Culls euthanized with instantaneous mechanical destruction (maceration) or CO
2 systems.
No live pipped eggs (or culled chicks) in hatchery waste.
Verify working macerator or precharged CO
2 system
100
50
25
25
175
25
25
25
25
25
25

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 2
Beak trimming Not permitted in broilers.
Verify no beak trimming in broilers
Nutrition and
Feeding
Adequate diet and nutrition
Adequate water supply
Access to water
Access to feed
Access to feed
Feed mill
Formulated and fed to prevent all signs of nutritional deficiency and to promote good health and normal maintenance and production.
Verify that feed formulation is research-based.
Permit normal hydration. Minimum one nipple per 20 birds or as specified by equipment manufacturer.
Adequate access for all birds.
Birds should not have to travel more than 15 feet to reach drinker.
Adequate access for all birds.
Meet good manufacturing practices.
Comfort & Shelter
Housing condition Protects birds from anticipated environmental conditions.
Vermin control Rodent control program should be in place.
Biosecurity measures in place.
Number of feeders at least one per 65 birds (in house at full capacity) or at least as specified by manufacturer.
Birds should not have to travel more than 15 feet to reach feeder.
Feed mill must have current
FDA registration.
Facility in good repair.
Verify rodent control.
Verify biosecurity measures.
25
150
25
25
25
25
25
25
200
25
25
25

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 3
Ventilation
Ammonia
Litter condition
Litter condition and foot health
Emergency ventilation
Health Care
Each facility should have a written protocol for minimum ventilation requirements, including temperature and dust control; heating
Litter should promote good foot and skin health.
Emergency system or procedure to provide adequate ventilation in the event of a power failure.
Verify ventilation protocol. program; and static pressure (when applicable).
Ammonia in atmosphere not to exceed 25 ppm.
Verify ammonia in atmosphere
25 ppm or less.
Moisture not excessive. Moisture in litter not to exceed
35 percent.
In random sample of birds, no more than 30% should have cracks or ulcers on feet.
Verify system to provide emergency ventilation.
Identify veterinarian. Veterinary care
Health plan
Qualified veterinary care must be available.
Must have written health plan to include layout period.
Health monitoring Monitor feed intake, bird health including eye and leg health, and lameness.
Vaccination Vaccinate chicks against common poultry diseases.
Normal Behavior
Roaming space Birds free to roam throughout growing area.
Verify written health plan with layout period.
Verify system for health monitoring.
Verify vaccination program.
Verify free to roam .
25
25
25
25
25
100
25
25
25
25
100
25

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 4
Stocking density
Ambulation
Stocking density
(pounds liveweight per square foot) not to exceed limits shown in
Note 1 (end of document).
Birds able to walk.
Lighting
Verify estimated weight of birds divided by square footage of house does not exceed limit.
When continuous or near-continuous lighting is used, lighting should be subdued for most of the period in which the lights are on.
Verify that birds at stage 4 or 5 on modified Kestin score are euthanized.
Except for the first week and the last two weeks of growout, the flock should be provided with at least four hours of darkness in every 24, in which illumination at bird level does not exceed 50 percent of the light level in the remaining hours; the four hours of darkness may be provided in increments of one, two or four hours..
On-Farm Best
Practices
Flock Inspection
Light
Equipment inspection
Inspect flocks minimum twice per day.
Adequate light for inspection.
The grower should check the feed, water and ventilation systems for proper operation on a daily basis.
Verify mortality records exist; inspect house for validity of mortality records. If daily mortality exceeds three per thousand placed, corrective action should be taken.
Adequate light available:
Yes/no.
Verify inspection records.
25
25
25
100
25
25
25

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 5
On-farm euthanasia Birds unlikely to thrive or unable to reach food and water due to leg or other chronic problems should be euthanized.
Catching and
Transportation
Catching
Catching crews
Handle in humane manner.
Appropriate handling.
Use approved humane method
(see note at end for list).
Catching crews Appropriate handling
Catching
Leg Damage
Transport
Transport
No catching by wing or neck
Company monitors flocks for field-caused leg damage and internal injuries
Equipment and cages in good repair.
Coop density.
Bird comfort Minimize cold weather impact with side panels or other covers.
Yard holding times Minimum consistent with good slaughter practice.
DOAs Hold DOA’s to a minimum.
For birds more than 4 pounds, no more than 5 birds per hand
Verify existence of incentive or recognition program to encourage proper handling.
Confirm company has system to ensure crew supervisor provides training to crews and that training is provided
Confirm that crews do not catch by wing or neck
Confirm program
Density in coops permits chickens to sit in single layer.
Verify covers if needed.
Average yard holding time not to exceed six hours.
Confirm that DOA’s at plant do not exceed six-tenths of one percent per day; if level is exceeded, confirm that corrective action is taken
25
300
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 6
Bird Monitoring
Program
Mechanical catching Any company that employs mechanical catching systems must
Processing
Feed withdrawal develop protocols to ensure humane handling of birds.
Minimum consistent with good processing practice.
Bird handling
Company should monitor for field-caused leg damage and internal injuries
Best Management
Technology in use, such as adjustment of light levels in live hang area to keep birds calm.
Ventilation in holding area
Sufficient number of fans to ensure ventilation.
Effectiveness of stun Birds should be insensible to pain when killed. Post-stun posture of arched neck and wings tucked in is evidence of stun.
Effectiveness of kill Equipment should efficiently cut blood vessels to induce bleedout.
Cadavers Birds should be dead before entering scalder.
Verify that company has program in place to monitor birds for field-caused internal injuries and leg damage.
If mechanical catching is in use, verify humane protocols.
Feed withdrawal not to exceed
24 hours before processing.
Verify BMT in use.
Verify fans.
Stunning should be effective at minimum of 98 percent of birds in 500-bird sample.
No more than 2 percent of birds in 500-bird sample need to be killed by backup personnel.
One uncut “red bird” after picker in sample of 200 is evidence of system malfunction.
25
(25)
200
25
25
25
25
25
25

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 7
Broken legs and wings
Plant Culling
Subtotal, Broilers
Breeders
Beak trimming
Birds should be handled to minimize broken legs and wings.
Any plant culling done in approved manner.
Preventative beak trimming, when used to minimize injury to birds, to be accomplished to minimize stress and be performed by welltrained personnel using properly designed and maintained equipment.
The procedure should use a heated blade or laser; should be conducted at 10 days of age or less; and should remove no more than the tip of the beak.
While stationed at a point just after birds exit the stunner, the auditor should watch for signs of broken or dislocated wings; broken wings are indicated by protruding bones, dislocated wings by the wing hanging straight down. In an observation of 1,000 wings
(500 birds), the number of broken or dislocated wings should not exceed 50 (five percent of wings). Record number and percentage of broken or dislocated wings.
Verify that culling is in accordance with Note 2.
Verify personnel training and proper equipment and procedure.
25
25
1,425
175
(25)

NCC Animal Welfare Audit Checklist
Page 8
Toe clipping
Comb Dubbing
Feed
Toe clipping, when used to minimize injury to birds, to be accomplished to minimize stress and be performed by welltrained personnel using properly designed and maintained equipment.
Comb dubbing, when done to minimize injury among male birds, should be done at an early age (preferably one day) and should involve no more than ¼ to ½ of the comb.
Manage feed intake to maintain frame size and body weight consistent with good health and production.
Nest boxes
Feeder space
Water
Subtotal, Breeders
Grand Total
SEE NOTES ON FOLLOWING PAGE
Verify personnel training and proper equipment.
Verify age of bird and extent of dubbing.
Verify feeding program.
Maximum 7 hens per nest
Minimum 3 inches per bird
Minimum 1 bell-type waterer per 100 birds
(25)
(25)
25
25
25
25
175
1,600

Note 1
STOCKING DENSITY LIMITS
Maximum Bird Weight Range
Below 4.5 lbs live weight
4.5 to 5.5 lbs live weight
More than 5.5 pounds live weight
Maximum Stocking Density
6.5 pounds per square foot
7.5 pounds per square foot
8.5 pounds per square foot
Note 2
EUTHANASIA AND IN-PLANT CULLING:
The following are acceptable methods of on-farm euthanasia and in-plant culling:
• Rapid decapitation.
• Rapid cervical disarticulation.
• Displacement of oxygen with nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other approved gas.
• Any other American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or American Humane Association
(AHA) approved method.