Skip to main content
Last reviewed:

What is a Whole Flock Health Scheme?

A Whole Flock Health Scheme (WFHS) is a written programme for health surveillance. It includes information about any actions taken to control or eradicate disease and to manage:

  • agricultural chemicals
  • veterinary medicines
  • feed and environment contaminants. 

What you need to record

Your WFHS should record:

  • any medications or immunisations given to the flock or individual birds
  • feeding regimes
  • visits by veterinarians or ante-mortem examiners (people who test live poultry for safety, suitability, and disposition)
  • other individual or flock diagnostic results that establish and verify the health status of the individual or flock
  • any microbiological results (including for Salmonella and Campylobacter)
  • any other information that helps establish and verify the health status of your flock.

The requirements for ante-mortem examinations are in this Notice:

Animal Product Notice: Production, Supply and Processing [PDF, 2.6 MB]

Sample WFHS 

You can find an example of a WFHS in Appendix C of the  Generic RMP for slaughter and dressing of broilers [PDF, 644 KB]

Note that most poultry farmers don't need to have a risk management programme (RMP), just a WFHS. However, those who fit under the definition of a chicken producer must have a RMP by 1 November 2023.

Find out more on poultry farming and chicken producers

Poultry farming

Animal Products Regulations 2021

For maximum permissible levels of residues (pesticides, antibiotics, and contaminants), refer to the:

Animal Products Notice: Contaminant Specifications 2016 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Who to contact

If you have questions about WFHSs, email info@mpi.govt.nz

MPI business units