Today we visited the dairy goat farm Papen-Olbach in Vragender (NL). Traditionally, goats are kept in straw barns with just one floor level. But goats are climbers, and like to rest in a safe high place. They also prefer hard surfaces. With this in mind, Mattijn Papen-Olbach started looking at a new way to house his goats. What … [Read more...] about Visit to Papen-Olbach goat farm, where they are experimenting with different floor levels in their barn for goats to climb and rest
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Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Today Eyes on Animals met with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, sausage company Brandt & Levie, Varkens in Nood (Pigs in Peril) and organic pig farmer Kees Scheepens to discuss how we can help the organic pig sector find a path towards a future where castration is phased out. Kees Scheepens and one other Dutch organic pig farmer, Gideon … [Read more...] about Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Visit to poultry farmer to speak about upright catching of his birds
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
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