Our farms are designed to closely align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
How are we going to feed the world in a fair way? How can we do this without exploitation, the exclusion of others, and the needless torture of animals? These are the questions that connect us as farmers.
Our current low food prices are actually paid for elsewhere – by the environment, the animals, the farmers, and our children’s futures. We know it can be better and that’s why we’re turning words into actions at Kipster.
The first Kipster Farm took us over four years to develop. It was worth it. We can now promise:
1. Animal welfare
Think like a chicken
We see chickens as more than just layers of eggs. They have desires, instincts and feelings. They suffer and enjoy. They’re beings just like us – but then forest birds. They’re not fans of open plains and they hate rain. That’s why we created a natural-like wooded environment with plenty of variety, daylight, fresh air and free-range scurrying space. The park is fenced and netted off to minimize the chance of predators and bird flu.
Kipster does not fund, conduct, or commission any tests on animals.
2. Closed-loop farming
Waste no food
Over 70% of the world’s agricultural land is used for cattle feed. This has an enormous impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and nature. This is why Kipster decided to bypass using agricultural land altogether. Instead, our chickens are fed with a newly developed feed made of residual flows from bakeries and other food producers – and that’s also why we are not organic. Our chicken feed is made of leftovers. As a result, the CO2 footprint of Kipster feed is 50% less than standard chicken feed.
3. Roosters
Unique for the Netherlands and beyond
It’s an awkward fact: the same number of laying hens and roosters are born every day. But what happens to the boy chicks? Billions of one-day-old roosters are gassed every year. Since we can’t digest this reality, the brothers of our laying hens are raised raised in friendly homes before being sent to a slaughterhouse after 15-17 weeks. As for the spent hens, we make various meat products that are then sold at supermarkets.
4. Carbon neutral
Sustainable egg
Kipster produces world’s first CO2-neutral eggs. Did you know that chickens that lay white eggs have a 5% lower carbon footprint than those that lay brown eggs? It’s true. (These are the sort of facts we love.)
5. Sustainable egg box
Organic waste, compost heap, waste paper
Sure, it’s fine if your children want to make crafts with our blue boxes. But otherwise, you can just throw them into your compost pile, worm hotel, or paper recycling. Made from potato starch, cellulose fiber and water, our eggboxes rate as the most sustainable in the world. As such, they’re also on display at the London Museum of Brands Packaging and Advertising. The CO2 footprint of a Kipster eggbox is 90% less than a standard one.
6. Healthy position farmer
Fair prices
Farmers receive a fair price for their eggs. Consumers then pay a fair price to the supermarket. Since the eggs are packed up on the farm and delivered directly to supermarkets – who also sell our meat products – there are no unnecessary food miles. It’s all super honest and super fresh.
7. Minimum of fine particle emission
Healthy air quality
We reduce fine particle emissions to an absolute minimum. Using techniques also applied in hospitals and garages, we have excellent air quality that’s good for both chickens and farmers.
8. Producing energy
Loads of solar panels
Our solar roofs provide a lot of energy. How much? Please check our annual report. In fact, we don’t use any fossil fuels (another fact we love).
9. Blending with the landscape
Form and function together
At Kipster farms, style meets substance. In fact, they got married and had kids. Whether it’s the modern design of the farm or the landscaping plan, or how the operational and technical installations are built out-of-sight, we feel good about looking good. We want to fit in.
10. Connecting farmers and consumers
Space for inspiration
On the Kipster Farms we have a special room for visitors, an exhibition area, and educational spaces. Everyone’s welcome. Drop by. Say hi.
11. Flexible & scaleable
Interesting possibilities
The farm is a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture. The concept can also be applied to more urban settings. Thanks to the modular set-up, farms can be built to accommodate between 3,000 and 120,000 chickens.
12. Pioneers
Future worthy
Kipster solidifies the Netherlands’ position as an innovator in developing and realizing climate-neutral, sustainable food systems. We show that animal welfare, environmental friendliness and financial feasibility can all scurry around happily together.
Working together
Many thanks to all the organizations that made this possible
Committed specialists
We worked on developing Kipster for over four years. Research from and collaboration with Wageningen University formed the basis for a lot of our thinking and doing.
We also involved the Dutch Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Eurogroup for Animals, ASPCA, Milieudefensie (Dutch environmental organization), Urgenda (sustainability organization) Caring Vets, Caring Farmers, Global Animal Partnership and numerous other specialist.
We are extremely grateful for everyone’s ideas and cooperation.
Lidl, Nijsen Company, Big Dutchman, Hendrix Genetics.
ABOUT US
Styn Claessens
Co-founder
As a young and passionate farmer, Styn is a role model for a new generation of farmers who care about animal welfare and the environment. Much of what he knows about farming he learned from his father.
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Olivier Wegloop
Co-Founder
As a sustainable entrepreneur, creative director and strategist, Olivier has started multiple companies in the Netherlands and beyond – including the celebrated creative agency Boomerang.
Marc Voss
Managing Director
As an entrepreneurial and performance-focused executive, Marc has extensive international experience in managing teams and clients in Europe, US and Asia. Marc is pragmatic, keeps the overview and likes to be hands-on.
Bas Timmers
Commercial Director
As an experienced professional he knows what it takes to make Kipster grow. His objective is to grow together with our suppliers and customer. Bas his personal ambition is to contribute to a better foodsystem.
Kipster Chicken
Chief Egg Officer
Kipster is a curious chicken free of cages and cares. She is a connoisseur of finding the finest of dust bathing spots.
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Manager Building & Technology
What will you do?
Important
You want to contribute to sustainability and animal welfare
Knowledge and skills
Interested?
Send your motivation letter with CV to ei@kipster.nl
GO!
Hope to meet you on social media
