Revolutionary Farmers

An important issue which people face is how we will feed the growing world population in a fair way. Without overexploiting nature, without excluding people and without tormenting animals. Now, our low food price is paid for at a high price elsewhere, for example, by the environment, animals, farmers, and our children. We realize that this can be done in a fairer way and turn words into deeds at Kipster.

Instincts and needs of the chicken

We see the chicken as an animal with instincts and needs. Chickens are forest birds. They don't like open plains and certainly not rain. That's why we imitated a natural wooded environment for the chickens, with plenty of variety, daylight, fresh outdoor air inside and plenty of free-range around the farm. The park is fenced off and covered with a net, which considerably reduces the danger from other birds and animals. In the case of bird flu, the consequences are less serious than with other free range systems.

No food waste

Did you know that over 70% of all agricultural land on the world is used for cattle feed? This has an enormous influence on the ecosystem, biodiversity and nature. Therefore Kipster does not use any agricultural land. We feed our chickens with a new, specially developed feed made from residual flows of, for example, large bakeries. But that is also the reason why we are not organic. Our chicken feed exists for 97% of leftovers and 3% of vitamins and minerals. The CO2 footprint of a kilo Kipster feed is 50% smaller compared with standard chicken feed.

Unique in the Netherlands and surroundings
Where laying hens are born the same number of roosters are born. Annually 40 million one day-old chicks are gassed in The Netherlands. Kipster refuses to participate in this horror. We choose to raise the brothers of our laying hens on an organic farm. With 15 to 17 weeks they go to a slaughterhouse. We make various meat products of the hens, which are exclusively for sale at Lidl.

Organic waste, compost heap, waste paper
When the blue box is not used in the crafts corner, it is welcome into the pile of organic waste, compost or paper. Please note: it is a museum piece. The blue box is on display at the London Museum of Brands Packaging and Advertising. This is the most sustainable egg box there is, made from potato starch, cellulose fiber and water. The CO2 footprint of a the Kipster egg box is 90% smaller compared with a standard egg box.

Fair prices

The farmer receives a fair price from Lidl for the eggs, and the consumer pays Lidl a fair price. No unnecessary kilometres: the eggs are packed on the farm and delivered directly. Super honest and super fresh. Our eggs and meat are for sale at Lidl.

Healthy air quality

We reduce the fine particle emission to an absolute minimum. We use techniques that are also applied in hospitals and garages. This gives an excellent air quality in the farm that is good for the farmer and our chickens.

Sustainable egg

Kipster produces, as the first farm of the world, CO2-neutral eggs. By the way, chickens that lay white eggs have a lower carbon footprint of about 5% than the ones that lay brown eggs.

1.097 solar panels

Our solar roof provides energy for about 200 households per Kipster-farm. Something to be proud about! And in addition we do not use fossil fuels.

Aesthetic and functional

The Kipster farm shows that aesthetics and functionality can have a happy marriage. The modern design of the farm, the planting plan around the farm and all the technical installations and silos that are out of sight.

Space for inspiration

On the Kipster farm in Oirlo (NL) we have a special room for visitors and a centre for education and information.

Interesting possibilities

The farm is a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture. The concept can be made suitable for urban agriculture. Thanks to the modular set-up, farms with 3,000 to 120,000 chickens are possible.

Future worthy

Kipster strengthens the position of the Netherlands regarding development and realisation of climate-neutral, sustainable food systems. We show that animal welfare is definitely a realistic option in combination with environmentally friendliness as well as financial feasibility.

Thinking and doing

We have worked on the development of Kipster for more than four years. The report ‘Houden van Hennen’ (Poultry farming’) by Wageningen University formed for instance the basis of our thinking. We also involved the Dutch Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Milieudefensie (Dutch environmental organization), Urgenda (sustainability organization) and numerous specialists in the design process. We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed ideas and cooperated. We thank in particular LidlNederland, the Dutch branch of Lidl, which was hugely involved in Kipster as an entrepreneur and pioneer.