This afternoon it was 33 degrees with 40% humidity in Brabant. For this reason, a team from EonA was checking the roads to make sure there were no farm animals stuck on stationary trucks in distress. Close to Vion pig slaughterhouse we spotted 3 livestock trucks from the company Voss waiting on 3 different national roads. The trucks were parked and had their fans on, but … [Read more...] about Inspections of pigs waiting on stationary trucks near Vion, Boxtel (NL)
transport
Meeting with Irish calf importers Van Drie and Pali
Today Eyes on Animals met with Van Drie and Pali regarding the calves they import from Ireland. During the transportation of unweaned calves, from Ireland to the Netherlands, legislation concerning feeding is repeatedly violated. Unweaned calves, 2-3 weeks old are being given milk only once during a 50 hour journey. Legally, these calves are supposed to be given milk after … [Read more...] about Meeting with Irish calf importers Van Drie and Pali
EonA helps and supervises upright catching of Kipster’s spent hens, NL
Last night Eyes on Animals gave a short instruction presentation on the EonA upright method of catching laying hens to the commercial catchers hired by Kipster. At Kipster the hens are no longer caught in the conventional way (3-6 at a time held upside down by a leg, per hand) but rather 1-2 at a time and kept upright all the time, supported by under their … [Read more...] about EonA helps and supervises upright catching of Kipster’s spent hens, NL
Observations of heat-stress in pigs transported in different types of trucks in the Netherlands
Today, in connection with the warm weather (28 degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidity) Eyes on Animals set out to inspect different types of pig transportation trucks. We took temperature and humidity measurements, checked the load density and observed the behaviour of the animals. The trucks were parked under a roofing with fans. Three cross-ventilated … [Read more...] about Observations of heat-stress in pigs transported in different types of trucks in the Netherlands
Deformed broiler chickens put on transport
At approx. 9AM Eyes on Animals inspected a poultry-truck parked up along the A6 Highway as the driver was running early on his way to Storteboom slaughterhouse in Kornhorn. Inside the truck we saw several broilers with seriously deformed legs. They were barely able to stand or walk. See a video here >> The fact that we found broilers in this condition is … [Read more...] about Deformed broiler chickens put on transport
Supervising and assisting with upright catching of hens at Demeter Boerveenshof, NL
Tonight 8300 laying hens were caught and loaded at a Demeter egg farm in Drenthe, NL. The EonA upright method was used, which is much more humane than the conventional method when birds are grabbed and hung upside down by their legs. The trained catchers from the commercial catching company Smeding did a very good job. Thanks also to Rolf, the Demeter farmer from … [Read more...] about Supervising and assisting with upright catching of hens at Demeter Boerveenshof, NL
Presentation to members of the Poultry Catchers Association about upright catching
Today EonA gave a presentation at the members' meeting of the Dutch Association of Poultry Catching Service Companies (NVPSB) about the upright catching of chickens. The reason for the invitation was a lawsuit filed by Wakker Dier, in which the judge ruled that catching chickens by the legs is against the law. This means that the sector will have to switch to a method … [Read more...] about Presentation to members of the Poultry Catchers Association about upright catching
Meeting with truck manufacturer Berdex about design animal transport trucks
Today we met with truck building company Berdex to discuss the design of livestock trucks. We exchanged knowledge and ideas and discussed the following concerns: Heatstress During inspections, EonA witnessed on numerous occasions that the humidity in cross-ventilated trucks (completely closed trucks with mechanical ventilation inside) is much too high, … [Read more...] about Meeting with truck manufacturer Berdex about design animal transport trucks
Inspections of poultry trucks for heat stress
Today, Eyes on Animals visited a parking lot where poultry trucks are frequently parked waiting for Clazing slaughterhouse. Due to the warm weather (around 29°C), we documented the waiting times of the trucks. Long waiting times are undesirable because temperatures rise very quickly in a stationary truck. This puts the chickens at great risk for heat … [Read more...] about Inspections of poultry trucks for heat stress
Meeting with poultry farm ‘Smits bron van energie’ about catching their hens upright (NL)
Today, Eyes on Animals visited Smits’ poultry farm. Here they also produce eggs under the label Eike which are sold at Sligro (wholesaler). The Eike laying hens get daylight (via light tunnels in the ceiling) and have access to enrichment material in the barn (tree stumps and live larvae daily). The reason for our meeting is that Smits has indicated that they would like to … [Read more...] about Meeting with poultry farm ‘Smits bron van energie’ about catching their hens upright (NL)
