As a result of our inspection, poultry slaughterhouse Remkes in Epe has extended the gas tunnel so that the exposure to CO2 is less abrupt and causes a little less panic. However, we continue to encourage industry and science to find alternatives to CO2 as this gas is aversive. Earlier this year, this slaughterhouse also fixed the conveyer belt on our advice - so that the … [Read more...] about Poultry slaughterhouse Remkes reduces stress during stunning and transport
chicken transport
Bad containers at Van Miert poultry slaughterhouse
Today we brought an unannounced visit to poultry slaughterhouse Van Miert in Breukelen (NL). In front of the building there was a poultry-truck with badly designed and poorly maintained containers. The metal wire of the drawers was bent in several places, causing small openings where birds could stick their heads out. Once the birds are loaded into the containers and these … [Read more...] about Bad containers at Van Miert poultry slaughterhouse
Meyn switches to anti-slip containers only
In response to findings made by Eyes on Animals the company Meyn has decided that from now onwards they will only produce containers with anti-slip floors. The findings, footage gained from our inspection, showed how birds struggle to stand upright if the floors of the Meyn containers are too slippery. Meyn is one of the biggest manufacturers of slaughter lines in the … [Read more...] about Meyn switches to anti-slip containers only
Remkes poultry slaughterhouse (NL) makes changes to decrease animal stress
After a visit from Eyes on Animals inspectors, poultry slaughterhouse Remkes has made some technical changes in the conveyer belt (that brings the crates with live birds towards the Anglia Autoflow stunner) to reduce the vibrations, sound and abrupt movements. These small changes will have a big influence on bird welfare as birds are very sensitive to sudden movements, … [Read more...] about Remkes poultry slaughterhouse (NL) makes changes to decrease animal stress
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
Practical training of Polish road inspectors (ITD) in Katowice – Żernica
Today the Eyes on Animals and TSB|AWF team drove in the early morning to an inspection post along the A4 highway near Gliwice, in order to support the Katowice Road Transport Inspection (ITD) checking on livestock vehicle passing by. Together we inspected 2 pig trucks and 1 chicken truck. One of the pig trucks is correct and can continue without any problems. This driver … [Read more...] about Practical training of Polish road inspectors (ITD) in Katowice – Żernica
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
Inspection catching and loading at Wingens’ broiler-farm
Today, on invitation by Rob and Egbert Wingens, two brothers who own a broiler-farm in Schaijk (NL), we were given the opportunity to observe both the catching and loading of broilers at their facility. The broilers were loaded into Stork containers of 4 trays high. The broilers were destined to be slaughtered at the slaughterhouse ‘Plukon’. The broilers were caught 5 at a … [Read more...] about Inspection catching and loading at Wingens’ broiler-farm
Meeting about poultry-welfare during transport at Poultry Plast, Italy
Eyes on Animals met with an Italian veterianarian and a company called "Poultry Plast" today to discuss current problems with the loading and transport of poultry and see how design can be improved on to reduce the level of suffering. Poultry Plast makes transport crates for all types of poultry and also rabbits. They make large crates with access doors that can go on a … [Read more...] about Meeting about poultry-welfare during transport at Poultry Plast, Italy
Visit to Dutch poultry farm Wingens
Today our team visited the Dutch poultry farm owned by Rob and Egbert Wingens. At the Wingens farm, broiler chicks are hatched inside the barn. This is rather unique as normally broiler chicks are hatched in hatcheries and then transported live to poultry farms to be fattened. By hatching the birds at the poultry farm there are some positive results: 1. There is no need … [Read more...] about Visit to Dutch poultry farm Wingens
