The Windstreek broiler house was developed by Dutch farmer Robert Nijkamp in collaboration with Wageningen University and the Plukon Food Group. The goal is to create a husbandry system “designed from the chickens perspective” – with a focus on animal welfare, climate protection, and economic viability. The house measures 95 x 22 meters, is up to 11 meters high, and holds around 26,000 slower grown birds per cycle at a maximum stocking density of 25kg/m². The system meets the requirements of the Beter Leven label with one star. There are approximately 5.6 cycles per year. The brids reach slaughter weight of 2.4 kg after 8 weeks.

A central feature of the system is the so-called “brooders”: heated retreat areas equipped with infrared heaters, water and feed supply, and perches. They replace full-house heating and additionally make use of the birds’ body heat. The brooders are used by the chicks for approximately 2.5 weeks. The house has large windows surfaces – covering 50% of the floor area – allowing daylight to enter and creating a natural light environment. Structural enrichment such as straw bales, elevated platforms, and daily feed scattering promote natural behaviours like scratching, pecking and resting. Ventilation is fully natural and sensor-controlled, automatically adjusting to indoor and outdoor temperatures as well as humidity. This significantly reduces CO₂ and fine dust levels.