Chickens in Ooststellingwerf – from foraging to free-range hens

In the past, chickens roamed freely around the farmyard on almost every farm in Ooststellingwerf. They ate leftovers, scratched around on the manure heap and provided eggs, meat and a little extra income. From the 1960s onwards, this began to change with the rise of large poultry farms, where chickens were mainly kept indoors and egg production was industrialised. Today, chickens have regained a visible presence in the landscape through free-range systems. They forage outdoors on herb-rich grassland and help keep the soil healthy. Many eggs are sold locally through farms, shops and the hospitality sector, bringing the connection between farmer, chef and consumer closer again.