In 2023, Eyes on Animals approached Schweizer Tierschutz (STS) to introduce our project on upright catching for laying hens in The Netherlands. This catching method significantly reduces stress, panic, and injuries by keeping the hens in their natural position, rather than being carried upside down by one leg. While upright catching was already widely used in Swiss broiler … [Read more...] about A Collaborative Success Story: Upright Catching in Switzerland
chicken transport
Presentation on chicken catching at major conference for veterinarians and inspectors in Hannover
Today, we had the honor of being the first to present at a major conference in Hannover for German veterinarians and slaughterhouse inspectors! Our presentation focused on an important yet often overlooked topic: the catching and loading of poultry for transport. We shared our findings on how the design of transport crates and containers affects the risk of catching … [Read more...] about Presentation on chicken catching at major conference for veterinarians and inspectors in Hannover
Upright catching of broiler chickens introduced in Germany
Tonight, Eyes on Animals trained chicken-catchers from a catching company in Germany on the upright method of catching birds. The team consisted of eight Polish employees, so a Polish interpreter from Eyes on Animals was present to make sure that all the Polish catchers could understand well what we were teaching. The training took place at a large German broiler … [Read more...] about Upright catching of broiler chickens introduced in Germany
WUR research proves: upright catching significantly reduces catching injuries
Recent research by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) into injury risks from different catching methods - including the traditional method (upside down by one leg), the upright catching method (as promoted by Eyes on Animals), and machine catching - shows that the upright catching method performed best. Broilers caught upright sustained significantly … [Read more...] about WUR research proves: upright catching significantly reduces catching injuries
Severe heat stress in sows on board of stationary truck
This afternoon, Eyes on Animals discovered an animal-truck parked in the parking lot of a gas station near VION Groenlo abattoir with culled sows and a few boars on board. The truck was in the full sun (30°C), causing the animals on board to experience severe heat stress. Additionally, fights broke out between the animals, further exacerbating the stress. Eyes on Animals … [Read more...] about Severe heat stress in sows on board of stationary truck