Compulsory training for turkey farmers: Recognize and avoid behavioral problems!

Compulsory training for turkey farmers: Recognize and avoid behavioral problems!

An important date for turkey farmers is approaching in Lower Saxony: Mandatory training will take place at the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture in Vechta on November 18, 2025. This training is aimed specifically at turkey farmers in Lower Saxony and focuses on recognizing and avoiding behavioral disorders such as feather pecking and cannibalism. Loud Poultry News This is the last opportunity this year to take part in this important event.

Participation costs a total of 190 euros and registration is required. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with a welcome by Dieter Oltmann from the NGW regional association, followed by various expert lectures. A highlight will be the topic of risk-oriented management of turkey flocks, which will be presented by Dr. Kathrin Toppel from the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is being treated.

Important backgrounds

This training is not only an indispensable source of information, but also a legal requirement. Turkey farmers are required to provide evidence of the need for beak trimming. The background to this are several regulations issued by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, which are intended to promote animal welfare. These regulations are part of a far-reaching animal welfare plan that addresses the possibility of phasing out beak trimming in turkey farming. Important insights into this come from the LAVES, which has developed recommendations for avoiding feather pecking and cannibalism.

The causes of these behavioral disorders are complex. According to LAVES, stress factors in the housing environment, inadequate feeding and genetic aspects can lead to problems. Optimal animal husbandry therefore requires intensive monitoring and suitable employment opportunities. As various studies have shown, enriching the environment and carefully observing the animals can significantly reduce the risk of feather pecking.

European efforts for animal welfare

Overall, the European Farm to Fork strategy, adopted in 2020, contributes to these efforts. The aim of this strategy is to improve animal welfare in livestock farming across the EU. The proposal includes, among other things, the gradual abolition of cage farming and the introduction of common standards for measuring animal welfare in the EU. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) plays a central role by providing scientific advice to ensure the protection of poultry.

The current issues also include the keeping of turkeys, for which the EFSA is to prepare a report that will shed light on the framework conditions for species-appropriate keeping. However, this report has not yet been published.

For all turkey farmers in Lower Saxony, the upcoming training is not only a mandatory event, but also an opportunity to find out about the latest findings and requirements in turkey farming. If you don't stay up to date here, you could miss an important step, because the future of turkey farming certainly also lies in the area of ​​animal welfare. Further information about the event is available from the organizing institutions.