Layers lay an average of 350 eggs during their lives and are usually replaced by new hens after about one to one and a half years. However, in a more natural environment they can live to be much older and lay up to 1000 eggs.

Poultry farmer Douwe de Jong is committed to the development of a new husbandry system in which hens are allowed to age and thus lay eggs for longer. However, in practice it appears that not all hens continue to lay eggs. Therefore, it is important to be able to select these non-laying hens from the flock.

In cooperation with a number of partners from the HubOrange co-creation network, the Chicken Welfare Hub was set up for this purpose. A collective of innovators and practitioners who focus on tackling and solving animal welfare issues at farm and chain level by means of co-creation.

Separating the non-laying hens from the laying hens paves the way for a production system in which all hens can live longer. Layers are only replaced when they no longer lay eggs. In our vision, this will lead to an animal-friendly husbandry system with the chicken at the helm and to an economically sustainable earnings model for the poultry farmer, enabling him or her to continue to innovate in animal welfare and earning a fair income.

Objectives of the Chicken Welfare Hub

• Improving the welfare and vitality of chickens;
• Measuring and monitoring the welfare of the chickens;
• Responsible cockerel policy;
• Developing welfare for older animals;
• Less replacements of layers;

More information: booth 09.E005