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.

Tierwohl WIESENHOF Privathof Beter Leven
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
* With this rearing method NON-GMO soy is not stipulated. However, the PHW Group voluntarily insist on NON-GMO soy and does more for animal welfare than legally stipulated.