Tierwohl messen und verbessern: betriebliche Eigenkontrolle zur Weiterentwicklung des Tierwohls in der Rinderhaltung

Since February 2014, the German Animal Welfare Act (§ 11(8)) requires livestock farmers to assess and evaluate animal-based indicators in order to monitor whether housing conditions meet their animals’ need. The aim of the project “Eigenkontrolle Tiergerechtheit (EiKoTiGer)” was to test the feasibility of a guideline for on-farm self-assessment (dairy cows, calves and beef cattle) and to develop an online training course, tools for data recording as well as reference values, which help to appraise the results. The guideline and the tools developed in the project are intended to support cattle farmers to carry out systematic assessments of animal welfare in their herds. They help to identify weaknesses and to improve cattle welfare and support herd management based on reliable and objective animal welfare indicators.