farm

Eyes on Animals investigated into why there are so many piglets that die every year. We spoke to the rendering company about the extremely high figures. There are several explanations- stress (of the piglet but also of the confined nursing sows), bacterial infections from unhygenic conditions, and not enough nipples to provide for each piglet. Due to genetic selection … [Read more...] about Investigation into why so many piglets die every year

On our way to an investigation we came across a small flock of sheep in a field, with several new-born lambs of just a few days of age. The farmer greeted us and spoke about his sheep with admiration. They had an indoor area and a large outdoor field. One could tell that the animals were well-treated because they did not show any fright towards the farmer, if anything they … [Read more...] about Checking on new- born lambs in the Netherlands

There is a big debate whether hens on free-range farms are really better off than hens in cages. Many people within the egg industry, and even a few scientists, claim that hens in cages are better because they are protected from predators, from disease, from collecting mud balls on their feet and eventually not being able to walk anymore and from attacks by others in a … [Read more...] about Inspection of the welfare of hens at a free-range farm in Belgium

Eyes on Animals visited a deHoeve pig farm in The Netherlands. DeHoeve pig farms have extra requirements regarding animal welfare and environmental protection. Male pigs are not allowed to be castrated, and sows are kept in group housing during most of the gestation period and given straw. The pigs raised for "fattening" are also given slightly more room and a minimum … [Read more...] about Inspection of a pig farm in NL

Eyes on Animals received an anonymous concern about the housing conditions of several donkeys not far from Amsterdam. Together with the complaint were several photos showing a barren and small housing facility for 3 donkeys. Upon arriving we observed the donkeys and the approximate 10m2 of space each one had. Part of their housing was indoor and part was outdoor, but on … [Read more...] about Response to a concern about 3 donkeys in NL