Improve chicken welfare
Behaviour
Behaviour of chickens reflects their well-being. Observe how a flock responds to their environment, to visitors and to each other, and discover what can be improved.
Health
Good physical health is essential for the welfare of laying hens. Assess the feather condition, skin and the presence of poultry red mites to prevent loss.
Housing
Good housing ensures healthy chickens with high production. Observe the living environment of the laying hens, assess the extent to which it matches their natural behaviour and identify areas for improvement.
What is KipUP?
A method to monitor and improve chicken welfare
KipUP makes animal welfare visible. It measures the most important aspects that influence well-being: behaviour, health and housing.
Insight into chicken welfare for all people involved
The scientifically based method offers poultry farmers, veterinarians and egg traders insight into the welfare of laying hens and addresses areas for improvement.
Why KipUP?
The welfare of laying hens can and must be improved. Increasing chicken welfare reduces welfare-related problems such as feather pecking, sternum fractures and leg abnormalities. This leads to better technical performance of a flock, such as improved feed intake, increased laying percentage and less mortality.
KipUP makes it possible to structurally monitor and improve chicken welfare. It is a method by which the welfare of chickens can be assessed and quantified practically and objectively. By quantifying observations, problems become visible at an early stage, allowing swift action with a greater chance of success.
The insights can not only be used to increase welfare of the measured flock, but also to improve the welfare and thus the performance of the next flock.
Higher welfare means added value per egg. KipUP makes it possible to communicate this value to the consumer in a transparent manner.
An average KipUP check takes about 1.5 hours and is easy to combine with a veterinary visit. By carrying out the KipUP measurements four times each production cycle, a complete insight into welfare of the flock is created.
The method
The KipUP check
On the poultry location the KipUP operator uses a detailed questionnaire to map welfare of a flock. He/she then registers the data digitally in KipUP.
Direct insight into animal welfare
Both the KipUP operator and the poultry farmer have access to KipUP and direct insight into the welfare of the flock and any areas for improvement
Compare and share data
The results can easily be compared with previous measurements of the flock. Data can be exported and shared with third parties.
Improve welfare
Improvements can be implemented immediately based on the results. By repeating the measurements, the effect of the adjustments becomes visible.
Let’s start
Complete and objective insight into animal welfare of a flock laying hens.
Early insight into aspects needing improvement
Easy to perform and can be combined with a veterinary visit
Optimize the performance of your laying hens.
Start with KipUP!
About KipUP
KipUP was developed by biologist and veterinarian Vera Bavinck, who works as a veterinarian in the poultry sector. Early in her career she noticed the fact that poultry welfare is often not central to the daily practice of the poultry sector and believed that this could - and should - be done differently. Based on that belief, she developed KipUP. With this an innovative, scientific method to objectively measure welfare of laying hens aiming to improve animal welfare.
Vera's ambition is to contribute to the welfare of laying hens internationally with KipUP. Not only for the chickens, but also for the farmers involved. Because an improved welfare results in a higher egg value and optimal performance.
Interested? Contact Vera at:
vera@fairpoultry.nlThe answers to all your questions
KipUP is a method for monitoring and improving welfare of laying hens, focusing on behaviour, health and housing. Measurements include animal based observations. After entering the data, there is an immediate visual overview representing the flocks welfare, including areas for improvement and risks.
KipUP is the first method in which welfare of laying hens can be objectively assessed and quantified. It is a hands-on method: the measurements are taken inside the poultry house and are animal-related.
The measurements are carried out by an affiliated, certified person like a veterinarian or technical advisor.
The certification follows a half-day training. The focus lays on carrying out the KipUP measurements, with an emphasis on animal-related measurements and the scientific substantiation of the scoring system. Extensive experience in handling laying hens is a prerequisite to participate in the course.
The costs for KipUP are calculated per house per year. Usage of the tool is unlimited. The exact price depends on the flock size. Please contact us for more information. The training has a seperate price.
A standard measurement takes 1.5 hours per flock, from a flock size of 1000 chickens. For smaller flocks, the measurement is often carried out in 30 minutes. Four measurements are carried out per production cycle, spread over the lifespan of the flock.
The measurements inside the poultry house are carried out as standard with pen and paper. To enter the data in the digital application you need a laptop with an internet connection. So you do not have to purchase special equipment.
The certification is aimed at matching the observations with the correct score. Visual score cards have been developed to assess the plumage and individual animal scores.
The observations are central to KipUP, these will not change. Translation of these measurements into a score is annually updated based on scientific insights. In an annual refresher course, all certified participants are updated on the latest scientific insights into the welfare of laying hens.
The first step is an introductory meeting in which Vera Bavinck explains more about KipUP and answers all your questions. This is followed by a personal explanation how to use the digital application and training to carrying out the measurements. After this you are authorized to carry out KipUP measurements independently.
Contact KipUP by sending an email to Vera Bavinck. Provide your telephone number and Vera will contact you for an introductory meeting.