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Animal Welfare Network: Practical knowledge for animal-welfare-friendly and sustainable livestock farming

Publications from the Animal Welfare Centres of Excellence


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The nationwide Fokus Tierwohl network was established to provide long-term support to livestock farmers in Germany and to help them prioritise animal welfare, environmental protection, production quality and market orientation. The joint project aims to improve the transfer of knowledge into practice in order to make pig, poultry and cattle farms in Germany fit for the future in terms of animal-welfare-friendly, environmentally sound and sustainable livestock farming.

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Please note that the English versions of the content on this website have been translated automatically using the DeepL translation tool.
While every effort has been made to ensure accurate and understandable translations, discrepancies or inaccuracies may occur. The German version of the content is legally binding and should be referred to in case of doubt.

News from the Animal Welfare Network and the industry

As the warmer months begin, insect activity increases significantly once again. Flies, midges and other species are now finding increasingly favourable conditions for reproduction. A poster set from the Animal Welfare Competence Centre for Cattle provides clear information on the development and distribution of flies, midges and black flies. It also explains disease transmission routes and presents practical measures for prevention and control. 

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When suckler cows are kept out to pasture in the summer, they are exposed to higher temperatures. A pasture sign can be used to inform passers-by about how this animal-friendly form of husbandry is organised and how the animals cope with the summer heat.

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On 28 and 29 April 2026, the first network meeting of the Poultry Pilot Farms for 2026 took place at Buchenau Castle. The event offered participants the opportunity to exchange professional insights, discuss current issues in poultry farming and further strengthen the network.

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An overview of all ITW criteria for broiler chickens and turkeys: space allowances, housing systems, enrichment & feeding – as of May 2026.

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Whether in the barn or out in the pasture, digital technologies are opening up new possibilities for more efficient and animal-welfare-focused livestock farming. The results from 13 research projects funded by the BMLEH show how sensor technology, AI and data platforms are already supporting practice today – with scientific support and networking provided by the ‘DigiTier’ networking and transfer initiative. At the same time, it is clear that the interaction between systems is crucial to realising the full potential of digitalisation.

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Newcastle Disease (ND), also known as atypical avian influenza, is one of the most significant notifiable animal diseases in the poultry sector. For the first time since 1996, active outbreaks are occurring again in Germany – a clear signal to all poultry farmers to protect their flocks and to strictly comply with statutory vaccination requirements.

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How do cattle and horses perceive their surroundings – and why do they sometimes react ‘suddenly’ to things that seem quite unremarkable to us? An animal vision simulator illustrates the sensory perception of both species and shows how field of vision, depth and motion perception, as well as light-shadow contrasts, affect their orientation and behaviour.

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The EIP project “WurmFrei” is developing practical strategies to sustainably reduce endoparasites in free-range laying hen flocks, thereby improving animal health and welfare. To this end, faecal samples, management data and soil samples from the outdoor runs are being collected and analysed across 50 flocks in Lower Saxony throughout the laying period.

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Nationwide events calendar of the network partners

Reports from the events

Network partners

Animal Welfare Pilot Farms

Technical information

Upcoming events on the topic of beef 

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Workshop: 2. Praxistag zur Kälberhaltung
Kälber, Kolostrumversorgung, Kälbergesundheit

16. Juni 2026 09:00 - 12:30,
Institut für Tierproduktion – Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2 – 18196 Dummerstorf (Haus 9)

Sie sind herzlich eingeladen zum 2. Praxistag zur Kälberhaltung!Theorieteil am Vormittag:- Einfluss der Fütterung und der Hygiene…

Workshop Abkalbung und Geburtshilfe

16. Juni 2026 09:00 - 15:30,
Schwandorf

Das Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl veranstaltet am 16.06.2026 einen Workshop zur Abkalbung und Geburtshilfe in Schwandorf.Dr. Wolfram Petzl stellt den Ablauf einer natürlichen Geburt und Maßnahmen zur…

Webinar-Reihe: Gesunde Kälber - Tierwohl kompakt Modul 5
Kälber, Kälberaufzucht, Kälberhaltung, Kälbergesundheit

16. Juni 2026 18:00 - 20:00,
Online

Gesunde Kälber sind die Grundlage erfolgreicher Rinderzucht. In unserer Onlinereihe erwarten Sie interessante Vorträge zu den Themen: Kälbergesundheit, Kälberhaltung und Kälberzucht. Erfahren Sie mehr über…

Upcoming events on the topic of pigs 

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Den Stall mit anderen Augen sehen - Sinneswahrnehmung beim Schwein
Schweineverhalten, Tierverhalten, Sinneswahrnehmung

26. Juni 2026 09:30 - 14:45,
Haus Düsse, Haus Düsse 2, 59505 Bad Sassendorf

Um das Verhalten von Schweinen besser zu verstehen und in der täglichen Arbeit damit umzugehen, kann es helfen sich in die Tiere hineinzuversetzen. Zusammen mit…

Niedersächsisches Biosicherheitskonzept: Programmschwerpunkt Rind
Biosicherheit, Tierwohl

3. Sept. 2026 09:00 - 15:45,
Heidejäger - Kräuterhotel & Restaurant, Rotenburger Straße 62, 27356 Rotenburg/Wümme

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,hiermit laden wir Sie zu einer Qualifizierungsveranstaltung zum Niedersächsischen…

Upcoming events on the topic of poultry 

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Ansätze für höheres Tierwohl in der Bio-Masthühnerhaltung (Projekt ProBioHuhn)
Geflügelmast, ökologische Tierhaltung, Projektvorstellung

15. Juni 2026 19:00 - 21:00,
Online

Auch in der ökologischen Hühnermast hat die Tiergesundheit einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die biologischen Leistungen der Tiere, den Arbeitsaufwand und damit auf die Wirtschaftlichkeit. Erkrankungen…

Die Eigenkontrolle als Qualitätsmanagement im Legehennenstall - auswerten und b…
Legehennenhaltung, Eigenkontrolle, Qualitätskontrolle, Tiergesundheit, Tierschutzindikatoren, MTool

17. Juni 2026 17:00 - 19:45,
Online

Die betriebliche Eigenkontrolle dient der Früherkennung und der Prüfung der Wirksamkeit von Maßnahmen für eine verbesserte Tiergesundheit. Im Gegensatz zur täglichen Routinekontrolle erfolgt die…

Kühlen Kopf bewahren - Hitzestress bei Geflügel
Hitzestress

17. Juni 2026 19:00 - 21:00,
Online

Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein… Wird es draußen wärmer, kann im Geflügelstall schnell Hitzestress entstehen. Welche Auswirkungen dieser auf die Gesundheit und Leistung von Legehenne, Masthähnchen & Co. hat,…

Funded projects on cattle welfare

Funded projects on poultry welfare

MuD Animal Welfare: Knowledge – Dialogue – Practice