Viennese organic farm

“Only happy pigs live with us”

"Master Boar" likes to be cuddled by Maurer.(Bild: klemens groh)

Organic farmer Andres Maurer makes no compromises when it comes to animal welfare on his Viennese farm in Floridsdorf. The "Krone" visited him

The Maurer organic farm is located in the middle of a residential area in the 21st district, at Leopoldauer Platz 17. The only thing that indicates this is the 24-hour vending machine with delicacies from the farm and the 420 chickens that enjoy true free-range farming in the field opposite.

The pigs love the wallow, which is used for parasite control.(Bild: klemens groh)

When the large gate opens, you can see how happy pigs live. "Only happy pigs live with us, that's the be-all and end-all," emphasizes Andreas Maurer. Enough space, hay and the all-important wallow. The 120 pigs can even decide for themselves when they prefer to be inside or outside, as Maurer has fitted a muzzle handle on the barn doors. "Pigs are very intelligent," says the 32-year-old. His black and pink protégés eat around 200 kilos of hay per week - and feel very comfortable. The piglets stay with their mother for seven weeks, compared to just four in conventional farming.

"We slaughter two pigs every two weeks," says Maurer. Everything is used because: "If we take the right to slaughter the animal, we must also have the decency to use it completely." Ideal husbandry, a happy life and a dignified death are Maurer's principles. In 2015, he and his father switched to completely organic farming.

The mobile chicken coop is moved every two weeks.(Bild: klemens groh)

The chickens are also happy, laying around 370 eggs a day, which are collected by hand. Maurer even attaches great importance to the animal feed, producing 80 percent himself and growing corn, wheat, pumpkin, soybeans and sunflowers. School classes regularly visit, which Maurer sensitizes to species-appropriate husbandry.