Policy Number: AU
390
Effective Date: January
1, 2003
Last Revision: October
22, 2007
Introduction:
The AU Loft Certification
Program is voluntary and is meant to recognize those lofts and handlers that
meet a set of minimum national standards of care in the handling and housing of
their pedigreed, banded Racing Homing Pigeons.
The general guidelines are set forth in the AU Code of Ethics, (AU310),
and certain provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, dated June 2002.
These lofts must meet accepted standards of design, construction and
maintenance with the owners complying with most current AWA guidelines and
standards.
390.01
AU Loft Certification Procedure. A Committee consisting
of one Race Committee member and one other club/combine officer from the
member’s club will inspect and certify that the inspected loft meets the
criteria as set forth in this policy letter and those criteria established in
the AU AWA Guidelines & Best Practices, dated November 2004, available from
the AU office. The checklist and
certification form is incorporated in this policy letter.
There is currently no charge for the inspection, Certificate, or loft
certification process.
390.02
Application and Certification Form.
The checklist and
certification is available from the AU national office and intended to be used
as a guide by the inspecting, certifying officers.
390.03
CHECKLIST and General Criteria for Inspection.
There is no “Pass” or “Fail” to loft inspections, however minimal
accepted standards in the care and management of pigeons have been developed
over the years, that are applicable to almost every loft and handler.
(Inspectors should place an “X” in each check box if the loft meets
acceptable standards. If not,
the handler should be allowed 90 days to complete corrective actions, as
required.
DO
NOT FORWARD the inspection form to the AU National Office until the loft meets
all minimum standards, and any corrective actions have been completed.
A.
Inspection Checklist:
1.
AU Member. Owner/fancier is a
current AU member. ___
390.04
Certification Duration.
A loft is certified from the date of acceptance of the application by the
Certifying Committee and is permanent although it is recommended that the
committee visually inspect the loft every year or as determined necessary by the
committee.
The
Loft Certification may be terminated if any one of the following events occur:
a.)
The owner’s AU membership ceases,
b.)
The owner establishes a new or different
loft or moves to a different location,
c.)
The committee revokes the certificate
“for cause” because it has been shown by the local certifying officers that
the minimum compliance requirements are no longer being met.
390.05
Environmental Controls.
The AU endorses and recommends basic USDA approved environmental and
bio-security protocols. These
recommendations are point weighted as per the attached Environmental Controls
Form (attached), in an effort to control the possible introduction of disease or
disease causing agents to a loft, and to prevent the spread of disease in the
case of a disease outbreak.
1.
Environmental Controls are voluntary and are considered an indication of
proper loft hygiene and management.
2.
Environmental Controls are point weighted depending on the seriousness of
a specific disease outbreak.
3.
Environmental Control inspection may be conducted by Loft certifying
committee at the same time as the loft inspection and submitted at the same
time.
390.06
Loft Certification and Ordinance Problems.
In order to qualify for financial assistance afforded AU members for
ordinance issues, lofts must be certified through the AU Loft Certification
Program. A letter from club officers
and a photograph of the inside and outside of the loft must be received and on
file by the AU national office attesting to compliance and healthy loft
management. Loft inspection must be
within two weeks of date on application.
390.07
Certification Form.390.07 Certification Form.
This information is for AU use only and considered confidential.
This data will not be shared with any agency without the loft owner’s
specific, written permission.
To demonstrate our industry’s ability to self-regulate ourselves and manage our lofts, birds and any diseases that are encountered, the AU has asked all members to voluntarily have their lofts inspected and certified as complying with basic health and construction practices. This provides a tangible way of showing our concern for the health and well being of our birds to the public or any government group, and that we don’t require ‘outside’ regulation. It is easy, costs you nothing but a little time and may improve your loft.
To
certify your loft you must comply with all
of the following minimum requirements, in the opinion of the local club officers
certifying this application and successfully demonstrated that:
Owner/fancier
is a current registered AU member. ___
The
owner’s loft complies with general housing requirements. ___
Loft
is compatible with existing, surrounding buildings and neighborhood, and creates
a favorable image to the public. ___
The
loft surroundings are tidy, sanitary, devoid of unpleasant debris, odors, excess
droppings, feathers or equipment clutter. Loft
should be generally attractive and compatible with the surrounding neighborhood
environment. ___
Loft
construction appears sound with adequate ventilation, furnishings and equipment
to avoid extreme temperatures, moisture and disturbance by other animals or pets
___
Loft
maintenance appears to be adequate and regular, including external and internal
repairs, provision for removal of droppings, dust, feathers, nesting material,
excess feed, etc. ___
Provisions
for feeding, watering, grit and nesting are adequate, sanitary and healthful for
the birds present. This includes
storage, method of distribution, quantities and types given. ___
Perches,
nest boxes and other accessories (like aviaries, traps, lights, windows, etc.)
are of sound design, placement and construction so that birds are not subjected
to unsafe or overcrowded conditions and are in a controlled environment. ___
The
number of birds kept does not exceed the capacity of the loft to adequately and
comfortably house those birds, nor does it exceed the ability of the fancier to
care for and properly handle and control all pigeons present. ___
Control
by the owner of his/her birds while outside the loft appears adequate.
Flying and roosting birds are not a neighborhood nuisance and do
not present a threat of destruction personal property of others. ___
Section
I – to be completed by member
Member
Name: ___________________________Phone: ___________ AU ID_______
Loft
Name:________________________ Club:________________________________
Loft
Address:____________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:___________________________________________________________
Member
Signature:_______________________________ Date:___________________
Section
II – to be completed by Certifying Officers (two members from club)
We
have inspected the loft of __________________________ and hereby certify that to
the best of our knowledge, the premises and practices acknowledged to use meet
the minimum acceptable standards as recommended and set forth in the AU and AWA
guidelines.
Officer
Signature(s):
_________________________________
___________________________________
Position:__________________________ ___________________________________
Name:____________________________ ___________________________________
Date
signed:_______________________ ___________________________________
____
Environmental Control form attached. ____
Inside & Outside loft photos attached.
Recommended
and suggested protocols.
There are various situations that may cause a fancier to enhance their use of environmental controls. In a normal healthy loft situation, a minimum of 10 points will indicate the loft owner keeps a well managed loft, takes sound precautions and understands basic environmental protocols. In the event of a local, or club health concern, a minimum of 15 points should be earned. Should a loft be in a location where quarantine is necessary due to a serious disease outbreak, a minimum of 18 points should be scored.
Signs
posted on your property that clearly state environmental controls are in place
and enforced, that visitors are allowed only with the owners present.
Scores 2 points ____
(Putting
up a sign is one of the cheapest ways to put visitors on notice that you have a
Biosecurity program, even minimal, in effect.
Visitors should wash their hands, and wear appropriate protective
clothing.)
Keep
a log book for visitors to sign in and out.
Scores
2 points ____
Wear
loft jacket or coveralls. Head or facemask in loft optional.
Scores 2 points ____
Disinfect
shoes when going in/coming out of the loft. (foot bath)
Scores 2 points ____
Use
of booties/foot covering when going in/coming out of the loft.Scores 2 points
____
Wash
hands before/after handling birds. Alcohol pads are cheap.
Scores 2 points ____
No
other species, bird, animal in direct contact with pigeons.
Scores 2 points ____
Loft
is secured or fenced, so there is no free access to pigeons.
Scores 2 points ____
Disinfect
loft at least once annually.
Scores
3 points ____
Alternatively, use a spray disinfectant throughout the interior of the loft just prior to putting your breeders together. You should spray every surface in the interior of the loft, allow the loft to dry thoroughly, then spray a second time. Adding dormant oil to the spray will also help to control flies, mites and lice.
Skylights
installed in roof of loft
Scores
2 points ____
Ultraviolet light, a major component of sunlight, kills most viruses & bacteria.
Vaccinate
all of your birds at least once annually. Scores 1 points for each of the
following:
Vaccinate
young birds at 8 – 10 weeks
Scores 1 point ___
Vaccinate
breeders prior to pairing.
Scores 1 point ___
Vaccinate
old birds on race team.
Scores 1 point ___
Vaccination for PMV-Paramyxovirus and Paratyphoid once a year stimulates the birds’ immune systems, and can help prevent the development of these diseases. Young birds should be vaccinated at 8-10 weeks, and this should be repeated just prior to the young bird races – this schedule allows maximum development of the birds’ own immune system. Breeders should be vaccinated 30 days before putting the birds together and old birds on the race team should be vaccinated a month before training for races begins.
Loft
has an isolated section in which to contain new birds or those that have become
ill, until good health is verified or restored.
Scores 3 points ___
Loft:________________________________
Total Points Scored:__________________
Club
Officers/Inspection Committee Signatures:
______________________________
______________________________
Date:________________________________
Send
this form attached to the Loft Certification Checklist & photos to the AU
office:
ARPU, PO Box 18465, Oklahoma
City, OK 73154-0465
405-848-5801
Once received, a certificate will be generated and mailed with an AU Loft Certification Decal.