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
chicken transport
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
WACPAW/EonA training on chicken-welfare given at Tamale market, Ghana
Thursdays is the famous livestock market day in Tamale, Ghana. Hundreds of cattle, goats and fowl are sold and re-loaded for transport to slaughter. Conditions are loud and brutal and our team has been trying to raise awareness and improve facilities and handling there. This past Thursday the WACPAW/EonA team gave an educational workshop to the Chicken and Guinea Fowl … [Read more...] about WACPAW/EonA training on chicken-welfare given at Tamale market, Ghana
Presentation on ‘gentle upright catching’ to Ministry of Lower Saxony (DE)
Eyes on Animals gave an online presentation today about her upright chicken catching project to the Ministry of Agriculture of Lower Saxony and representatives from the German poultry industry. By showcasing videos of upright catching and loading at several farms in the Netherlands, we demonstrated that this method (despite industry objections) is feasible and … [Read more...] about Presentation on ‘gentle upright catching’ to Ministry of Lower Saxony (DE)
Training and supervision of upright catching in Germany
Today, Eyes on Animals was in Germany to conduct a training session and oversee the upright catching and loading of 3,000 laying hens. This initiative was organized at the invitation of the German Tierschutzlabel. For the poultry farmer, it was the first time that (a portion of) his hens were caught upright. This method was also new to many of the catchers. The … [Read more...] about Training and supervision of upright catching in Germany
Upright chicken catching in Germany: collaboration with vets and officials
In Germany, chickens were caught for the first time using the gentle upright method of Eyes on Animals, instead of the conventional method of grabbing birds by one leg and letting them hang upside down. This innovative initiative was organized by the University of Hannover and the Niedersachsen ministry, seeking practical experience for an upcoming project on upright … [Read more...] about Upright chicken catching in Germany: collaboration with vets and officials
EonA/WACPAW gets chicken held upright instead of upside down at festive slaughter day, Ghana
The WACPAW/EonA team were at the "festive chicken slaughter day" in Kumasi, Ghana. We were there to put a stop to chickens being held upside down by their legs. We taught the workers the importance of keeping poultry upright (chickens are not bats and do not have a diaphragm, being inverted is very scary and painful for poultry) and showed them how to carry the birds … [Read more...] about EonA/WACPAW gets chicken held upright instead of upside down at festive slaughter day, Ghana
Alleged exploitation of workers at ‘International Poultry Services’ Dutch chicken-catching company
International Poultry Services (IPS) is the largest poultry catching company in the Netherlands. It is under suspicion of exploiting their catchers and for human trafficking. An investigation into this matter was carried out by journalists from the well-respected investigative magazine Follow the Money (FTM). FTM reveals that IPS has previously been fined for … [Read more...] about Alleged exploitation of workers at ‘International Poultry Services’ Dutch chicken-catching company
Training presentation on chicken-catching to German chicken farmers
Today we gave a 1-hour online training presentation to 16 German poultry farmers that produce under the German animal-welfare criteria from the "Tierschutzlabel" about how to improve the way broilers and layers are caught. We covered the gentle upright method techniques. They were very interested and some already apply stricter measures when their birds are caught. We are … [Read more...] about Training presentation on chicken-catching to German chicken farmers
Upright catching standard practice for broiler chickens in Brazil
In Brazil, one of the world's largest producers of chicken meat, upright catching of broilers is the standard practice. Today, Eyes on Animals had an extremely motivating and inspiring conversation with Victor Lima from the consultancy and advisory company BEA in Brazil. Since 2015, he has been providing training to Brazilian catching companies on better handling of … [Read more...] about Upright catching standard practice for broiler chickens in Brazil
