Farm Certification Standards
The American Humane Certified™ Animal Welfare Standards are species-specific and grounded on solid scientific research. The standards were created with input from renowned animal science experts and veterinarians and are frequently reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Committee to reflect current research, technological advances and humane handling methods.
Our Animal Welfare Standards are based upon the guiding principles of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. With rigorous, science-based standards covering everything from adequate space to air and water quality, heating, lighting, shade and the animals’ ability to engage in natural behaviors. American Humane Certified producers are audited for their compliance to the standards. Our audit tools, full standards and supplemental templates are fully transparent and can be downloaded below.
Supplemental Traceability Audit
Traceability Audit Tool
Animal Welfare Audit Tools
Bison audit tool
Beef cattle audit tool
Broiler chickens audit tool
Dairy cattle audit tool
Dairy goats audit tool
Dairy sheep audit tool
Ducks (meat and egg layers) audit tool
Hatcheries audit tool
Layers cage free audit tool
Effective January 2026: Layers cage free audit tool, updated with pullet measures.
Layers free range and pasture audit tool
Effective January 2026: Layers free range and pasture audit tool, updated with pullet measures.
Swine audit tool
Turkey audit tool
Animal welfare full standards and supplements
Beef cattle full standards
Broiler chickens full standards
Dairy cattle full standards
Layers cage free full standards
Effective January 2026: Layers cage free standards, updated with pullet measures.
Layers free range and pasture full standards
Effective January 2026: Layers free range and pasture standards, updated with pullet measures.
