Today Eyes on Animals visited a poultry farmer in Groningen to talk about catching methods for chickens. He wanted to know more about the upright catching method and what exactly this would mean to him in practice. Because of the prevailing bird flu, we were not able to enter the poultry shed, however we were able to look in through the windows. The sheds and chickens … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry farmer to speak about upright catching of his birds
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Visit to Ridammerhoeve goat farm where kids are kept with mothers
Today Eyes on Animals dropped by Ridammerhoeve Demeter goat farm in Amsterdam Bos. Here a lot of attention and respect is given to the behavioural needs and well-being of the adult dairy goats as well as the goat kids. What rooting and wallowing are to pigs, is climbing to goats, and here at the Riddammerhoeve farm the goats have plenty of high climbing platforms, both … [Read more...] about Visit to Ridammerhoeve goat farm where kids are kept with mothers
Pig farm for public viewing in Beemsterlant (NL) a disappointment
In an attempt to be more transparent, the pig industry in the Netherlands started a project to make several pig farms “open” for public viewing. Instead of sealed walls and no access, these farms would have several windows where people would be encouraged to peek in. Today an inspector from Eyes on Animals dropped by one of these pig farms, Beemsterlant. There were … [Read more...] about Pig farm for public viewing in Beemsterlant (NL) a disappointment
EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Together with the Dutch organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide”, a team from Eyes on Animals tested out today how new-born kids could stay with their mothers after being born, instead of being separated and raised without their mothers. To begin we first observed how mother and kids behaved towards each other just after birth and shortly thereafter. This was important to figure … [Read more...] about EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Visit to organic dairy goat farm “De Bonte Weide”
Today we visited the organic dairy goat farm "De Bonte Weide" owned by Mart-Jan and Willy de Jong. Not only is Mart-Jan an organic goat farmer, he is also chairman of “Groene Geit”, an advocacy group for organic goat farmers. The reason for our visit was an email Eyes on Animals sent to SKAL, the control authority for organic production. In this email we asked … [Read more...] about Visit to organic dairy goat farm “De Bonte Weide”
Successful conference for dairy farmers about new “calf by the cow” concept
Great news ! All of our efforts over the past 6 years at stimulating a real change within the dairy industry are starting to pay off. We really wanted the dairy industry to take more responsibility and show concern for the fate and welfare of the unwanted calves born on dairy farms ! Soon there will be a separate label on dairy products coming from Dutch farms that keep … [Read more...] about Successful conference for dairy farmers about new “calf by the cow” concept
Visit of Zonvarken pig farm in De Heurne, NL
Today we visited the new pig barn built for the new concept "Zonvarkens" (sun pigs). This concept was developed by a group of pig farmers. The idea is to raise pigs whereby they have a good quality of life and can express their natural behaviour. They have room to move, access to the outdoors and fresh air, bedding to build nests and forage in, the sows will have a large … [Read more...] about Visit of Zonvarken pig farm in De Heurne, NL
Visit to goat farm Ter Veen where kids stay with their mothers
Today we visited goat farm Ter Veen in Dorkwerd. At Ter Veen, the goat kids (both male and female) stay with their mothers in the herd for at least 12 weeks after birth. This is unusual because on most dairy goat farms the kids are taken away from the mother after birth, to be kept by themselves, in a plastic container and are fed colostrum through a … [Read more...] about Visit to goat farm Ter Veen where kids stay with their mothers
Work at a German dairy farm that produces milk for Eltern Zeit label (keep the calves with their mothers in the herd)
This week Eyes on Animals spent 5 days at a dairy farm in northern Germany that keeps the calves for at least 3 months with their mothers in the herd. It is one of 5 dairy farms in between Hamburg and Flensburg that produces milk for a new label called ElternZeit, which means “ Parent Time”. These dairy farms do not see new-born calves as an unwanted by-product, but … [Read more...] about Work at a German dairy farm that produces milk for Eltern Zeit label (keep the calves with their mothers in the herd)
Visit to farm ‘t Geertje
Today Eyes on Animals visited the organic farm 't Geertje in Zoeterwoude (The Netherlands). At 't Geertje a variety of animals is kept on a small scale: goats, cattle, chickens, pigs and more. Their meat, eggs and dairy are primarily sold in their own farm shop. A farm like 't Geertje, where the animals can walk around on straw and go outside, is not common. What makes … [Read more...] about Visit to farm ‘t Geertje
