At the slaughterhouse today, as part of our welfare-mission with JAMTI, 200 pigs per hour are slaughtered. What was new to us was seeing pigs moved towards the automatic restraint for stunning by a moving floor and moving side walls, without any need for electric stimulation. This was very positive. Some equipment details posed injury risks, but rubber protection and … [Read more...] about Japan- visit and advice given to a pig slaughterhouse in south part
slaughterhouses
Japan- Inspection and consultation of cattle slaughterhouse in south Japan
Today, thanks to JAMTI, we were at a cattle slaughterhouse in the south of Japan where animals are treated calmly and with as much respect as possible. They were wagyu cattle and the plant was among the calmest we have seen. Specialized and skilled lairage caretakers monitor the welfare and conditions for cattle. They wash the cattlle, keep the animals' water troughs … [Read more...] about Japan- Inspection and consultation of cattle slaughterhouse in south Japan
Hosting of large pork company, scientist and official from abroad to see Improved Automatic Electric stunning system as alternative to CO2
Today we hosted a visit at the slaughterhouse where, together with the slaughterhouse team and Dr. Temple Grandin, we developed an improved new automatic electric stunning system - to show that there are practical alternatives to the more painful CO₂ gas stunning. We started this work because inhaling CO₂ causes distress and suffering, while we saw that there was still … [Read more...] about Hosting of large pork company, scientist and official from abroad to see Improved Automatic Electric stunning system as alternative to CO2
Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in Overijssel on a hot day
Today, we paid an unannounced visit to a broiler slaughterhouse in Overijssel, the Netherlands. With temperatures reaching around 30 °C, we wanted to see whether the slaughterhouse had taken measures to prevent heat stress as much as possible, such as reducing loading densities and carefully planning arrivals to avoid waiting times. We also wanted to see the facilities in … [Read more...] about Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in Overijssel on a hot day
Testing a non-penetrating captive-bolt device for euthanizing chickens
Today Eyes on Animals tested the CASH Small Animal Tool together with MHS Consultancy and Dr. Bert Lambooij. This non-penetrating captive-bolt device is designed to kill small animals quickly and humanely. Why this project?Poultry farmers deal almost daily with birds that become sick or injured. Often, these birds are killed to prevent further suffering and the risk of … [Read more...] about Testing a non-penetrating captive-bolt device for euthanizing chickens
Visit to Westfort slaughterhouse in IJsselstein (NL) on a hot summer day
This morning and early afternoon, Eyes on Animals visited the Westfort pig slaughterhouse in IJsselstein, the Netherlands. Due to the hot weather, approximately 1,000 fewer pigs were slaughtered today than usual. At around 11:15 a.m., the temperature outside in direct sunlight was approximately 32°C, with a relative humidity of around 45%. Under the unloading … [Read more...] about Visit to Westfort slaughterhouse in IJsselstein (NL) on a hot summer day
Testing the H2H Euthanizer for sick or injured laying hens
Today, Eyes on Animals tested the H2H Euthanizer, developed by Top Equipment, for the emergency killing of sick and injured poultry. The importance of more humane tools for killing birds that are sufferingOver the past year, Eyes on Animals has been encouraging the poultry industry to adopt alternatives to cervical dislocation for birds that are injured, sick or … [Read more...] about Testing the H2H Euthanizer for sick or injured laying hens
Visit to VION slaughterhouse in Boxtel during Code Red
Today we visited the VION slaughterhouse in Boxtel to see how the slaughterhouse and transport companies were responding to the extreme heat. VION had implemented several measures to reduce heat stress. Around 9,500 pigs were slaughtered today instead of the usual 16,000, allowing all pigs to arrive before 12:00. This prevented transport during temperatures above 35°C, … [Read more...] about Visit to VION slaughterhouse in Boxtel during Code Red
Visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond during tropical temperatures
On 25 June, we visited the Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL) during a period of extreme heat. We wanted to see what measures had been taken to reduce heat stress and how long pigs had to remain in the trucks before they could be unloaded. Canopy with misting systems and ventilation provides cooling Van Rooi has a large canopy where livestock trucks wait … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond during tropical temperatures
Heat stress inspection at a large slaughterhouse
Yesterday, we were in the field monitoring how pigs were coping with the extreme heat during transport. At one large Dutch slaughterhouse, we observed four trucks carrying pigs waiting to unload. One truck was parked in direct sunlight. When our team arrived, the driver left the parking area and began driving around to create airflow for the pigs. Another driver whom we … [Read more...] about Heat stress inspection at a large slaughterhouse
