Today we had a meeting with Demeter Netherlands about the welfare of laying hens during catching, loading and slaughtering. At the moment, laying hens on Demeter farms in the Netherlands are still being caught in the same way as non-Demeter hens, namely by their legs and held upside down, with a catcher holding 3-5 hens in one hand. We have asked Demeter to switch, just … [Read more...] about Talk with Demeter about chicken-catching methods
chicken-catching
Jolmers shows us their welfare course
Today we visited Jolmers Opleidingen. Jolmers is one of two institutes in the Netherlands that provides the new and compulsory course for chicken catchers. Eyes on Animals has been providing welfare courses to chicken catcher teams since 2015. We attended Jolmers' course and then exchanged ideas, experiences and knowledge with each other. Animal welfare is increasingly … [Read more...] about Jolmers shows us their welfare course
Rondeel chickens first to be caught and loaded in a more friendly manner
Chickens will no longer be grabbed by their legs, hung upside down and stuffed into transport crates 4 to 5 at a time when they leave the farm to go to the slaughterhouse. Eyes on Animals has introduced the 'EonA Dutch catching method' to the Dutch poultry industry. Dutch poultry and egg farm "Rondeel" is the first to switch over. Organic, free range, barn and caged … [Read more...] about Rondeel chickens first to be caught and loaded in a more friendly manner
Training of Pots chicken catchers
Last night we gave a poultry- welfare workshop to Pots chicken catchers near Zwolle. Roughly 15 catchers were present to learn about the physiology of poultry, and what to pay attention to during catching and loading in order to reduce stress and suffering. Afterwards we were at a commercial farm with them where they had been hired to catch and load all the spent hens. The … [Read more...] about Training of Pots chicken catchers
Meeting with poultry industry on compulsory IKB chicken catching course
Today Eyes on Animals had a meeting with representatives of the poultry industry (Avined, LTO, Nepluvi and chicken catching companies) about the upcoming mandatory IKB chicken catching course. As Eyes on Animals has much field experience and gives trainings to chicken catchers too, we initiated this meeting to exchange ideas and observations in the field. We were a bit … [Read more...] about Meeting with poultry industry on compulsory IKB chicken catching course