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
slaughterhouses
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
Introducing a major German retailer to a practical and more humane alternative to CO₂ stunning
Today we hosted the animal welfare manager of a large German supermarket chain, together with a veterinarian from the Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V., for a visit to a large pig slaughterhouse where pigs are automatically stunned using electricity instead of the highly aversive CO₂ gas. Pigs exposed to CO₂ experience 15–30 seconds of intense panic and pain before losing … [Read more...] about Introducing a major German retailer to a practical and more humane alternative to CO₂ stunning
Blog published in Meating Place about EonA’s alternative to painful CO2 gas stunning of pigs
Erica Voogt, a U.S.-based animal welfare consultant specializing in slaughter practices and colleague of Temple Grandin, recently published a blog on Meating Place, a website platform for major players of the international meat industry such as Cargill, JPS and Tyson, about our project to phase out CO₂ stunning in pigs and replace it with a newly designed, less painful and … [Read more...] about Blog published in Meating Place about EonA’s alternative to painful CO2 gas stunning of pigs
10-day field mission to Mongolia – improving slaughter practices and transport
Eyes on Animals conducted a field mission to Mongolia following an invitation from a Cambridge University researcher working in the country on animal and meat-related issues. As part of this visit, we were also a special guest speaker at a big conference in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where we shared insights on slaughter practices and animal welfare. The aim of the mission … [Read more...] about 10-day field mission to Mongolia – improving slaughter practices and transport
