Article 3Requirements for the keeping of chickens

1

The Member States shall ensure that:

a

all houses comply with the requirements set out in Annex I;

b

the required inspections and the monitoring and follow-up, including those provided for in Annex III, are carried out by the competent authority or the official veterinarian.

2

Member States shall ensure that the maximum stocking density in a holding or a house of a holding does not at any time exceed 33 kg/m2.

3

By way of derogation from paragraph 2, Member States may provide that chickens be kept at a higher stocking density provided that the owner or keeper complies with the requirements set out in Annex II, in addition to the requirements set out in Annex I.

4

Member States shall ensure that, when a derogation is granted under paragraph 3, the maximum stocking density in a holding or a house of a holding does not at any time exceed 39 kg/m2.

5

When the criteria set out in Annex V are fulfilled, Member States may allow that the maximum stocking density referred to in paragraph 4 be increased by a maximum of 3 kg/m2.