The closure of the major Buckl slaughterhouse has led to a need for a new facility in Bavaria to process old laying hens due to capacity shortages, raising animal welfare concerns.
The article discusses the implications of the animal welfare scandal at the Buckl slaughterhouse in Watertrüdingen, Bavaria, which was the largest facility in southern Germany for processing old laying hens, with a capacity of 60,000 hens per day. Following its closure in Spring 2025, many hens have had to be transported long distances to Poland for slaughter, resulting in significant strains on the animals. This situation raised alarms about animal welfare and highlighted the urgent need for adequate slaughter facilities in Bavaria.
In response to this crisis, TLC Landgeflügel GmbH, located in Rottal-Inn, Lower Bavaria, has announced plans to enter the market for slaughtering and marketing old laying hens. Their move is significant as they aim to not only process broilers but also old hens and parent stock, thereby addressing the gap created by Buckl’s closure. This strategy is poised to reduce the transportation burden on hens and improve animal welfare conditions significantly.
The initiative to establish a new slaughterhouse with CO₂ stunning reflects a growing awareness and commitment to animal welfare in the industry. Stakeholders in Bavaria are hopeful that the return of local slaughter capacity will alleviate both logistical challenges and animal welfare concerns, establishing a more humane solution for the processing of old hens.
