What the updated RSPCA turkey standards mean for RSPCA Assured members

I know many RSPCA Assured members already invest significant time, care and attention into managing their flocks, and the latest updates to the RSPCA’s turkey standards are designed to support and strengthen that work even further.

The updated standards will come into effect on 17 August 2026 – following the usual three-month notification period – giving members time to review the changes and prepare ahead of implementation.

As always, the changes are based on the latest scientific evidence, practical experience from the sector and ongoing conversations with industry and members.

Please remember that this blog provides a summary of key updates, so RSPCA Assured members should refer to the new standards explanatory note for the complete requirements.

RSPCA Assured turkey members have been sent a notification letter and details of all the updated standards.

Building on strong welfare foundations

Turkey members across the RSPCA Assured scheme already work hard to provide good welfare throughout every stage of their birds’ lives, and many of the updated standards are intended to support that ongoing commitment.

For example, new feeding space requirements for poults (younger birds) in ‘brood and move’ systems – alongside updated drinker guidance – are designed to support welfare during the early stages of life. Good management at this time can make a real difference to turkeys’ long-term health and development.

We’ve also updated standards around non-permanent housing, such as polytunnels, which must now have an independent site-suitability survey, with stronger requirements for maintenance.

Supporting natural behaviour through enrichment

The standards already require enrichment to encourage activity and natural behaviours, and the updated standards strengthen this further.

Turkeys are naturally inquisitive birds, so providing a wider variety of enrichment items – and rotating them regularly – can help keep birds engaged and encourage exploration.

Health, handling and contingency planning

Several of the updates also focus on practical management during more challenging situations. For example, the standards strengthen guidance for periods when free-range birds may need to be temporarily housed, helping ensure welfare is protected during government housing orders.

We’ve also introduced a requirement for farms to have formal contingency plans in place for situations such as mass culling during disease outbreaks, including avian influenza.

These plans are intended to help ensure birds are managed as calmly and humanely as possible during difficult circumstances.

There are also updates relating to transport and slaughter. Birds over 5kg will need to be carried upright during handling and transport, and the standards encourage more upright handling methods for smaller birds where practical.

At slaughterhouses, new guidance has been introduced around electrical stunning, and sites must now have a back-up killing method available as an additional safeguard for bird welfare.

Helping members prepare for the future

Alongside the standards themselves, members will also notice updated information boxes, or ‘iboxes’, throughout the document.

These provide additional practical guidance, useful welfare information and insight into areas where standards may continue to evolve in future. They’re designed to help members stay informed and prepare ahead of time where possible.

As always, the RSPCA Assured farming and technical engagement team is available to support members with questions about the updated standards, and what they might mean for individual systems.

If you have any questions, or would like further guidance on the changes, email RSPCA Assured and they’ll be in touch.

Continuing to build on higher welfare

Higher welfare farming continues to evolve, and the standards evolve alongside it.

RSPCA Assured members are already doing a huge amount to support good turkey welfare every day, and I hope these updates help provide further clarity and support as welfare knowledge and farming practices continue to develop.

Thank you again for your commitment and support.