Sustainable Livestock Husbandry and Animal Health Management
Head of the chair: Prof. Dr. med. vet. Markus Freick
About us
The Chair of Sustainable Livestock Husbandry and Animal Health Management at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is dedicated to the development of husbandry systems for farm animals by scientific and practice-oriented approaches. Our work focuses on animal health, animal welfare, environmental compatibility, and the economic viability of modern animal husbandry.
Our research follows an interdisciplinary approach that combines biological, veterinary, agricultural, and social aspects. The goal is to develop innovative strategies that enable sustainable animal production – both with regard to climate protection and resource conservation, and society's expectations for ethically responsible animal husbandry.
Within our agricultural science degree program, we offer practice-oriented teaching based on the latest research. At the same time, we maintain close collaborations with farms, authorities, and partners from research and practice to translate scientific findings into practical applications.
Our team is committed to inspire young people about the challenges and opportunities of livestock farming in the future and to contribute actively to the development of a sustainable agricultural sector.
News
Masterstudierende besuchen Geflügel-Versuchsstation Kitzingen
Am 23. Juni 2026 besuchten Studierende des Mastermoduls Aktuelle Aspekte der Nutzgeflügelforschung das Versuchs- und Bildungszentrum für Geflügelhaltung am Staatsgut Kitzingen. Die Einrichtung der Bayerischen Staatsgüter (BaySG) zählt zu den wichtigsten Standorten für angewandte Forschung, Wissenstransfer und berufliche Bildung in der deutschen Geflügelwirtschaft.
Im Rahmen einer ausführlichen Führung stellte Dr. Philipp Hofmann, wissenschaftlicher Leiter der Arbeitsgruppe Geflügelfütterung und -haltung an der Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (LfL), die vielfältigen Aufgaben und aktuellen Entwicklungen am Standort vor. Mit großer Fachkompetenz und Praxisnähe erläuterte er aktuelle Herausforderungen der Geflügelhaltung sowie die Bedeutung wissenschaftlicher Forschung für die Weiterentwicklung tiergerechter und nachhaltiger Produktionssysteme.
Während des Rundgangs erhielten die Studierenden Einblicke in die Haltung und Erforschung verschiedener Geflügelarten, darunter Mastputen, Broiler, Jung- und Legehennen, Enten und Gänse. Darüber hinaus konnten die Versuchseinrichtungen und die stationseigene Brüterei besichtigt werden. Die enge Verzahnung von Forschung, Praxis und Ausbildung wurde dabei besonders deutlich.
Vorgestellt wurden zudem aktuelle Forschungsprojekte der Versuchsstation. Dazu gehören Untersuchungen zur Weiterentwicklung von Haltungsverfahren bei Mastputen, das Projekt MastOpti(M)um zur Reduktion der Umweltfracht der Broilerfütterung sowie Optimierungen im frühen Management der Junghennenaufzucht. Die Projekte verdeutlichen das breite Forschungsspektrum der Einrichtung und ihren Beitrag zur Entwicklung zukunftsfähiger Haltungssysteme.
Die Exkursion bot den Teilnehmenden wertvolle Einblicke in aktuelle Forschungsfragen und innovative Ansätze der Nutzgeflügelhaltung und unterstrich die Bedeutung des Standorts Kitzingen als führendes Kompetenzzentrum für Forschung und Bildung im Geflügelsektor.
Open-air stable (Image: Markus Freick)
Surrogate cow rearing (Image: Markus Freick)
Field trip to Hofgut Eichigt: An insight into modern organic dairy farming
On 11 June 2026, BSc students in Agricultural Sciences visited the Hofgut Eichigt as part of the compulsory elective module ‘Livestock Farming in Organic Agriculture and Applied Animal Welfare’. The excursion was organised by the network Fokus Tierwohl. During the guided tour led by Andreas Wagner, students gained fascinating insights into organic dairy farming on a large-scale farm. Particular focus was placed on grazing-based husbandry, the concept of suckler-based calf rearing, and the farm’s own dairy. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mr Wagner for the interesting and open tour, as well as to animal welfare ambassadors Annika Krüger and Juliane Lieberwirth for the excellent organisation and the opportunity to gain this valuable practical insight.
In the goose house (Image: Ruben Schreiter)
Group tour (Image: Ruben Schreiter)
Field Trip to Eskildsen Goose Farm
As part of the master’s modules “Livestock Ethology and Ecology” and “Current Aspects of Poultry Research,” students from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg visited Eskildsen Goose Farm in Wermsdorf on June 2, 2026. The company is one of Germany’s leading goose farms and specializes in the production of geese, hatching eggs, goslings, and high-quality down products.
Under the expert guidance of Mr. Lutz Witt, the participants gained comprehensive insights into the various areas of the farm. In addition to touring the parent stock housing, the processes in the hatchery, the slaughterhouse, and the down processing facility were presented. In particular, the explanations regarding breeding work, the management of parent stock, and the requirements along the entire value chain provided an in-depth look at specialized goose farming.
Another focus of the excursion was the discussion of current challenges in waterfowl farming. In particular, the effects of avian influenza on breeding and propagation operations, as well as the associated requirements for biosecurity and flock management, were discussed in depth. Furthermore, potential prospects for a future vaccine against avian influenza and its significance for the industry were discussed.
The field trip offered students the opportunity to combine theoretical course content with practical insights into a
Student Visit to the Saxony State Research Institute in Leipzig
As a part of the module "Animal Hygiene and Animal Health", BSc students in Agricultural Sciences visited the Saxony State Research Institute for Health and Veterinary Affairs in Leipzig on May 5, 2026. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Holger Behn and other colleagues, the participants gained valuable insights into the practical work of the institution. The focus was particularly on the pathological and microbiological diagnosis of animal epidemics and diseases, as well as their significance for herd health and consumer protection.
The visit offered the students an opportunity to link theoretical content from their courses with practical applications and to gain an impression of the diverse fields of work in official veterinary diagnostics. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the entire team at the State Research Institute for the dedicated tour and the interesting insights.
Poultry farming (Photo: Markus Freick)
Panel discussion (Photo: Markus Freick)
Poultry Farm Trip
As part of the Master’s module ‘Current Aspects of Poultry Research’, a field trip to the Wimex Group’s site in Baasdorf took place on 28 April 2026. The trip was led by Saeid Najati and Tilmann Coenen.
The focus was on a tour of a broiler parent stock farm. The students were given a practical explanation of the barn layout and key elements of flock management. Particular attention was paid to the cycle diagram of parent stock rearing, covering the various production phases. In addition, aspects of animal care, as well as the organisation of egg collection and internal processes, were presented. Specialist presentations followed at the company headquarters: Saeid Najati outlined the key principles and challenges in the management of broiler parent stock, whilst Tilmann Coenen provided an overview of the corporate structure and the portfolio of the Wimex Group. During the subsequent discussion with the students, the focus was primarily on preventive measures to maintain animal health. In addition, practical issues regarding the handling of misplaced eggs and their significance for herd management and hygiene were discussed.
The field trip provided a clear link between theoretical content and practical insights into parent stock management, and highlighted the importance of structured management throughout the production chain. Special thanks go to the Wimex Group and the speakers for organising the event and providing an open insight into operational practice.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Surgical treatment of an upper arm fracture in an Aldabra giant tortoise
The male Aldabra giant tortoise “George” lives on the island of Desroches. With a body weight of 250 kg, he is the unofficial symbol of the island, which is part of the Seychelles.
In early January 2026, “George” showed severe movement disorders in his left front limb. The Halle-based company ResortDoc GmbH, headed by Hendrik Liedtke, operates a medical center on the island. Lukas Kamarad, a human medicine colleague working on site, was able to diagnose an upper arm fracture using X-rays. Surgical intervention was absolutely necessary. Orthopedist Felix Göbel and veterinarian Jens Thielebein arrived on the island on January 13. In a complex operation the following day, they managed to align the two ends of the fracture and fix them in place with a plate and nine screws. To prevent weight-bearing on the operated limb, the front limb was secured to the body using half a car tire. This car tire must then be secured to the shell with tension straps.
The fracture is expected to heal in 6 to 9 months at the earliest. Until then, numerous checks of the limb, X-rays, and physical therapy will be necessary.