Animal Welfare-News

Feeding is an important aspect of animal welfare

Be it poultry, beef, pork, fish or shellfish, one of the major challenges of modern animal husbandry across the globe is the sustainable, efficient improvement of animal welfare. This term refers to a number of factors that indicate improvement in animal welfare, including barn climate, behaviour, health and hygiene. These are broadly based on the […]

Zinc oxide ban in piglet production

Since June 2022, the medicinal use of zinc oxide has been banned in the EU. What is the impact on animal nutrition, especially on health and welfare of piglets? For decades and especially since the world-wide ban of antibiotics growth promoters had begun, zinc oxide at pharmacological dosages has been widely in use to effectively […]

For the well-being of animals

Dr. Eckel is a pionieer in the feed sector providing innovative solutions for feed producers. Today, animal welfare is one of the biggest and long-term challenges for livestock production in Germany, Europe and many parts of the world. Politics, animal welfare organisations, the food retail trade and consumers are pushing for solutions which can effectively increase the well-being of animals. The main focus in particular is on the structural and technical husbandry systems and their management. Previous solutions can also be optimised in many other areas in order to improve animal welfare: in breeding, animal transport, the use of medication and in particular in feeding.

What feed producers and livestock owners can do for animal welfare

In poultry production stress-related behavioural disorders and pecking are a key issue. Foot pad inflammation (pododermatitis) is an indicator for animal welfare problems is poultry production. Poultry producers are searching for solutions which prevent foot pad problems and ensure more tranquillity in the pens. It has been demonstrated that feed enriched with Anta®Phyt MO can make a contribution in this regard – both in chicken and turkey fattening. The development of Anta® Phyt MO was funded by the “Central Innovation Programme for SMEs” of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. | more

In pig production, stress factors are the principle reason for behavioural disorders such as cannibalism or tail-biting. Livestock owners are searching for solutions with which they can effectively counteract stress factors. A stress-reducing feed concept plays an important role in this connection. Dr. Eckel specifically developed the product MagPhyt, a feed additive, to reduce cannibalism and tail-biting. Both are important animal welfare criteria in piglet breeding and pig fattening.

For the first time, MagPhyt combines calming plant components such as hops with the best available form of the anti-stress mineral magnesium.

What consumers can do

The Dr. Eckel initiative is aimed at feed producers and livestock owners in order to support them in the improvement of animal welfare in the area of feed and feeding. For consumers, there are already major industry-wide projects that campaign for improvements in animal welfare for pigs and poultry. This includes “Initiative

Tierwohl”, an animal welfare initiative launched by numerous companies from the food retail industry and major trade associations of the meat and farming industry in 2015. The initiative is a voluntary quality assurance system with which the observance of stricter livestock production criteria for pigs and poultry is certified and recognised.

Animal Welfare-News

Feeding is an important aspect of animal welfare

Be it poultry, beef, pork, fish or shellfish, one of the major challenges of modern animal husbandry across the globe is the sustainable, efficient improvement of animal welfare. This term refers to a number of factors that indicate improvement in animal welfare, including barn climate, behaviour, health and hygiene. These are broadly based on the […]

Zinc oxide ban in piglet production

Since June 2022, the medicinal use of zinc oxide has been banned in the EU. What is the impact on animal nutrition, especially on health and welfare of piglets? For decades and especially since the world-wide ban of antibiotics growth promoters had begun, zinc oxide at pharmacological dosages has been widely in use to effectively […]

“Initiative Tierwohl”—the animal welfare initiative

The Dr. Eckel initiative is not directly related to “Initiative Tierwohl” the animal welfare initiative. As with other projects that advocate strengthened animal welfare, we view our contribution as an additional element in order to achieve the common objective.

https://initiative-tierwohl.de/