Animal Welfare Programms
Alternative forms of animal husbandry at
PHW Group in comparison
The approximately 1,000 partner farmers of WIESENHOF rear the animals in different forms of animal husbandry. By the end of 2020, WIESENHOF is going to secure 90% of the animals from alternative animal husbandry concepts.
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| Criteria | Conventional WIESENHOF rearing | Initiative Tierwohl (animal welfare initiative) | Donautal Premium Poultry | WIESENHOF Private Farm (German Animal Welfare Federation 1-Star) | Kip van Morgen 2020+ | Beter Leven 1 star |
| Stocking density: | 35 kg/ m2 up to a weight of 1,600g, thereafter 39kg/m2 | 35 kg/ m2 for all weight classes | Up to a max. 30 kg/m2 plus 10% when higher sitting level (perches) are available | Barn with winter garden: 17 birds/m2, max. 29 kg/m2; Without additional winter garden: 15 birds/m2 = 25kg/m2 | 38 kg/m2 | 25 kg/m2 |
| Breed: | Ross or Cobb | Ross or Cobb | Ross or Cobb | Slow growing, approved by German Animal Welfare Federation, and recording of key indicators for regular assessment | Slow growing, approved by Dutch Animal Protection Authority, ‘De Dierenbescherming’ | Slow growing, approved by Dutch Animal Protection Authority, ‘De Dierenbescherming’ |
| Rearing period: | Approx. 30 - 40 days | Approx. 30 - 40 days | 32 - 40 days | Approx. 42 days | Approx. 42 days | At leat 56 days |
| Type of rearing: | At least 3% of the floor space daylight, minimum 20 lux (new buildings as from October 2009), regulated day-night cycle | At least 3% of the floor space has daylight, minimum 20 lux (new buildings as from October 2009) regulated day-night cycle | Winter garden or free-range scratching area | Winter garden or similar free-range area | At least 3% of the floor space natural daylight, minimum 20 lux regulated day-night cycle | At least 20 % winter garden |
| Feed: | NON-GMO soy* | NON-GMO soy* | NON-GMO soy | NON-GMO soy | 100 % RTRS soy | 70% cereal content/ NON-GMO soy |
| Equipment layout: | Straw, hay or other bedding materials | Picking objects, straw, hay or other bedding materials | Straw bales, picking objects, perches, cereal picking litter | Straw bales, picking objects, perches, cereal picking litter | Straw bales, picking objects, perches, cereal picking litter | Straw bale and grain in litter for picking |