1.This Directive shall apply to chickens kept for meat production.
However, it shall not apply to:
(a)holdings with fewer than 500 chickens;
(b)holdings with only breeding stocks of chickens;
(c)hatcheries;
(d)extensive indoor and free range chickens, as referred to in points (b), (c), (d), (e) of Annex IV to Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1538/91 of 5 June 1991 introducing detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1906/90 on certain marketing standards for poultry(1); and
(e)organically reared chickens in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs(2).
2.The Directive shall apply to rearing stock on holdings which have both breeding stock and rearing stock.
Member States shall remain free to take more stringent measures in the area covered by this Directive.
Primary responsibility for animal welfare rests with the owner or keeper of the animals.
OJ L 143, 7.6.1991, p. 11. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2029/2006 (OJ L 414, 30.12.2006, p. 29).
OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 394/2007 (OJ L 98, 13.4.2007, p. 3).