Throughout the years, Eyes on Animals inspectors have visited many slaughterhouses. We see many – major and minor – differences in the equipment used, as well as the handling of the animals. Differences are particularly noted in pig slaughterhouses- some plants use electrical stunning while others use CO2 to render the pigs unconscious before slaughter. We decided to lobby … [Read more...] about Video investigation: stunning of pigs before slaughter
special projects
Transport of chickens
Eyes on Animals is concentrating a lot of it´s efforts on chicken transport- in particular the way “spent” hens are transported. We are working towards these animals being better transported so that their suffering be limited. We regularly inspect chicken trucks and write reports about them to inform the authorities, the chicken industry and the media of our concerns with … [Read more...] about Transport of chickens
Separation of mothers & new-born calf – time for an ethical alternative
In order to produce more milk for consumers, cows are kept regularly pregnant and their calves are taken away from them within minutes to several hours after birth. The calves then spend several weeks all alone in individual boxes. The scientific research project run by the Louis Bolk Institute "Calf with the Mother" is following an alternative management system that … [Read more...] about Separation of mothers & new-born calf – time for an ethical alternative
Relieving some suffering of chickens at weekly Polisch market
During a visit to Bodzentyn market in Poland last year, we observed groups of hens being sold and carried in nets. This resulted in their wings, beaks and legs getting all entangled in the netting, and them panicking from being trampled by eachother. We also saw piglets being carried in plastic bags! We are not sure yet of a practical alternative regarding the … [Read more...] about Relieving some suffering of chickens at weekly Polisch market
Announced tour of Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
After requesting to visit their slaughterhouse, Vion in Boxtel agreed to give Eyes on Animals a tour of their plant where 10,000 pigs are slaughtered each day. Vion uses CO2 gas to render the pigs unconscious before being cut and bled-out. Unconsciousness using CO2 gas is not instantaneous. Scientific studies show that it can take up to 60 seconds (Rodríguez, P.; Dalmau, … [Read more...] about Announced tour of Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel