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.
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 |