Like Rondeel, Kipster and Demeter, Gijs egg company is another good egg company that decided to stop catching their spent hens in the traditional way (2-3 birds per hand, held upside down by their legs and then stuffed into the transport crates). They agreed enthusiastically to switch to the more humane “ EonA upright method”, which fits better with their … [Read more...] about Poultry-catching at Gijs egg farm, The Netherlands
transport
Observing arrival of pullets at Kipster, NL
This morning we visited Kipster to observe the unloading of the new pullets (young laying hens). The pullets were delivered in containers that consisted of seven levels. The containers were made of metal grids with inward- folding doors on both sides. The containers were owned by transport company BMV from Rijkevorsel (BE). The truck that transported the … [Read more...] about Observing arrival of pullets at Kipster, NL
Kipster catches 23.000 hens with the EonA upright catching method
Last Tuesday evening an Eyes on Animals team supervised and gave instructions during the upright catching of 23.000 laying hens at one of Kipsters’ laying-hen farms, in Beuningen. Instead of being grabbed and held upside down by one leg, which causes a lot of stress and pain, the hens were caught using the method developed by Eyes on Animals, upright and around the breast. … [Read more...] about Kipster catches 23.000 hens with the EonA upright catching method
Transport inspections in connection with cold stress
Today an Eyes on Animals team observed several livestock transports that arrived at a poultry slaughterhouse and a Halal sheep and goat slaughterhouse in Breukelen. Despite freezing temperatures (-4C), the transport of live animals continued undiminished. Within approximately 1,5 hours 6 livestock trucks arrived. The poultry trucks had their winter covers down and the … [Read more...] about Transport inspections in connection with cold stress
Inspections of pig trucks during cold weather, Boxtel (NL)
Today a team from Eyes on Animals returned to Boxtel to observe trucks with pigs on board, heading to the nearby Vion slaughterhouse. Last time we checked trucks arriving on a cold day here, there was much variation. Many trucks had had their shutters wide open, others mainly closed to protect the animals. Today we fortunately saw less variation, with 7 trucks only having … [Read more...] about Inspections of pig trucks during cold weather, Boxtel (NL)
Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather
Eyes on Animals visited a big Dutch slaughterhouse to observe if drivers delivering the pigs took precautions to protect the pigs from the cold weather (1-2 degrees) today. We observed several drivers that had left almost all of the side shutters of their truck open when they arrived. This of course is far too cold for the pigs, especially with the wind chill when … [Read more...] about Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather
Virtual Meeting with Irish authorities from DAFM about calf exports
In reaction to our yearly investigative reports and letters of complaint regarding Irish exports of unweaned calves to mainland Europe, the Irish authorities asked to virtually meet with us finally. Together with representatives from Ethical Farming Ireland, CIWF UK, ISPCA and the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals we spoke about the long distance journeys … [Read more...] about Virtual Meeting with Irish authorities from DAFM about calf exports
Meeting with Stena Ferries about the unweaned calves they accept on board from Rosslare (IRE) to the Cherbourg (FR)
Today Eyes on Animals and the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals met virtually with representatives from Stena Line in Sweden and the UK. At the meeting we handed over a petition with 22,882 signatures to Stena Line, that appeals to the ferry company to stop transporting livestock/young calves onboard their ferries from Ireland to France. Eyes on … [Read more...] about Meeting with Stena Ferries about the unweaned calves they accept on board from Rosslare (IRE) to the Cherbourg (FR)
Consultation with a trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist on cross-ventilated livestock trucks
Today we met with a Dutch livestock trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist about the welfare of pigs in cross-ventilated livestock trucks. These are enclosed livestock trucks that are mechanically ventilated. The consultation was prompted by our transport inspections during the summers of 2019 and 2020. Eyes on Animals measured the … [Read more...] about Consultation with a trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist on cross-ventilated livestock trucks
Inspection calf transports in Zuid-Holland
Today Eyes on Animals performed inspections of livestock trucks on a parking lot in Zuid-Holland. Drivers regularly wait here until they can unload the animals at the slaughterhouse nearby. We arrived around noon when the outside temperature was about 26C. There was enough shade for the cattle trucks due to high trees at the edge of the parking lot. There were … [Read more...] about Inspection calf transports in Zuid-Holland
