Today we observed the loading of piglets at the Van Rooi assembly centre in Lieshout. The piglets being loaded were surplus animals, selected for slaughter in Croatia due to issues such as bitten ears or umbilical hernias. Our aim was to gain insight into how ‘fitness for transport’ is assessed, and to explore ways to reduce stress during loading. Herding and loading – … [Mehr...] about Loading piglets at Van Rooi: reflecting together on how to reduce stress
Inspektionen
Besuch im Schweinesammelzentrum Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL)
Heute haben wir dem Schweinesammelzentrum Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL) einen unangekündigten Besuch abgestattet. Wir erhielten sofort eine Führung durch die Stallungen, in dem zu diesem Zeitpunkt Sauen untergebracht waren. Die Tiere waren ruhig und ruhten sich aus. Sie hatten genügend Platz, um sich auf die Seite zu legen, ohne sich gegenseitig zu stören. Die … [Mehr...] about Besuch im Schweinesammelzentrum Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL)
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels (Belgium)
Today, our team made an unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels, where large numbers of Dutch laying hens are slaughtered. At our suggestion, Wilki previously installed a canopy for poultry trucks. In warm weather, loaded trucks can wait here instead of standing in direct sunlight. We inspected the canopy today: it accommodates 2–3 trucks and is equipped … [Mehr...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels (Belgium)
Visit to transport, vaccination and catching company Broekman in Haler
While working in the field today, we spotted a truck belonging to Broekman B.V., a company specialised in catching, transporting and vaccinating young laying hens. As we happened to be near their head office in Haler, we decided to stop by spontaneously to introduce ourselves and, if possible, exchange ideas about the catching, loading and transport of laying … [Mehr...] about Visit to transport, vaccination and catching company Broekman in Haler
Debunking the myth: milk during transit does not cause diarrhea in calves
In the northern Netherlands, we teamed up with veterinarian and calf feeding expert Dr. Ronald Rongen to tackle a persistent myth in the cattle sector: that feeding milk to calves in transit causes diarrhea. Most Dutch calf traders and farmers think that giving milk to unweaned calves in transit causes diarrhea, and thus withhold milk for very long periods. … [Mehr...] about Debunking the myth: milk during transit does not cause diarrhea in calves
Feeding intervals continue to be violated during import of unweaned Irish calves
Despite clear EU regulations designed to protect unweaned calves from starvation during long journeys, investigations by Eyes on Animals (EonA) and Ethical Farming Ireland (EFI) reveal that these rules continue to be ignored—resulting in Irish calves enduring extremely long journeys without being fed milk. On May 3, Eyes on Animals (EonA) followed a transport truck … [Mehr...] about Feeding intervals continue to be violated during import of unweaned Irish calves
Welfare concerns at yearly cattle market in Schagen (NL)
Once again, this year’s Easter cattle market in Schagen (NL) raised serious concerns about animal-welfare. Many animals exhibited clear signs of cold stress and fear. Several cattle slipped and fell while being sprayed with water—an experience that is both painful and terrifying for prey animals like cattle, who instinctively fear being on the ground, where they feel most … [Mehr...] about Welfare concerns at yearly cattle market in Schagen (NL)
EonA at the final PigStun Project conference, Brussels
Eyes on Animals attended the final PigStun conference in Brussels. PigStun is an EU-funded project led by scientists to explore alternative stunning methods to high-concentration CO2 gas for rendering pigs unconscious before slaughter in high-throughput facilities. This study is important because CO2 gas is painful for pigs; it’s highly acidic, causing irritation to the … [Mehr...] about EonA at the final PigStun Project conference, Brussels
EonA gives talk at French Ministry on new pig stunning option we worked on that causes less pain and stress
We presented our project on redesigning a large pig abattoir in western Europe, that we worked on with the manager and with Temple Grandin in our team, to reduce pig suffering during slaughter. Together we greatly improved automatic electric stunning, and this method is now a viable alternative to CO2-gas stunning and will have an impact on reducing the suffering for … [Mehr...] about EonA gives talk at French Ministry on new pig stunning option we worked on that causes less pain and stress
Visit to Leeuwarden livestock market: improvements visible, some concerns remain
On 19 March, we paid an unannounced visit to the cattle market in Leeuwarden. The market management immediately made time to show us around. The market appeared well organised: all cattle were housed in groups (except for the bulls), there was plenty of clean straw, the air was fresh, and water was available in every pen. Compared to a few years ago, the condition of … [Mehr...] about Visit to Leeuwarden livestock market: improvements visible, some concerns remain
