Frequently Asked Questions

A bio-based and biodegradable packaging made from potato starch, such as Paperfoam, was chosen. This material is also made from (waste) residual streams from French fry factories (non-edible potato starch). There is currently no more sustainable packaging available—experts indicate that this is a leading example of future packaging solutions (including the KIDV, which advises our legislators).

However, as with many truly groundbreaking innovations, current legislation is (still) not yet adapted to such advanced solutions.

The unique Rondeel egg Paperfoam packaging is ahead of its time and highly innovative because it:

– Can be disposed of with waste paper (this has been the case for Paperfoam products from the beginning for recycling)

– Can go with organic waste (it composts—feel free to try it at home in your garden—without any issues) / (not the label)

– Can go with residual waste

European Union classification system: The code on the egg indicates the housing system: 0 = organic, 1 = free-range, 2 = barn, 3 = caged. This is required by law, so it must appear on the egg.

The housing system code is a technical specification (determined by regulations/European policy) based on available equipment. It is not intended as an assessment or classification of animal welfare.

The hens live on litter, wood chips, tree trunks (natural wood), rubber mats, and in a metal enclosure. The base of Rondeel is completely made of concrete to allow for proper cleaning (hygiene) between flocks when new hens are introduced.

Our hens do not come into contact with natural soil, so there is no risk of contaminated ground when they go outdoors along the forest edge.

To be absolutely certain—after all, it concerns food safety—we had Rondeel eggs tested in a laboratory. The results show that the eggs are free from PFAS.

Rondeel packs eggs ranging from 53 to 73 grams (M/L) in one carton. As the hens get older, the average egg weight increases, so you’ll find more larger eggs in the carton. When a new flock of younger hens is introduced, the eggs tend to be more mid-sized (within the legal M/L classification), rather than mostly large ones. As the hens age, the eggs naturally become larger—even in the cartons we supply to Albert Heijn. The legal minimum weight is always met.

Rondeel is switching to hens that lay white eggs because these hens are smaller, eat less, and lay more eggs over their lifetime than brown hens. As a result, less feed is needed per egg, which contributes to lower CO2e emissions.

Rondeel chickens enjoy the benefits of outdoor life 365 days a year, regardless of whether there is bird flu or not. They can freely use their outdoor range as usual, but we can protect the barn from external risks by closing the roof. This is the unique feature of our Rondeel system: full freedom for the chickens when they need it, while keeping all external risks outside. This ensures safe food and chicken welfare. Our chickens hardly notice bird flu and can enjoy fresh air every day as usual (now covered/protected). They are the only chickens in the whole of the Netherlands with this freedom!

Free-range systems do not have this. Free-range/organic farms have a closed barn where hens have the option to go outside onto adjacent land through openings in the barn wall—if weather permits and the farmer opens the access. Some hens use this opportunity. However, due to bird flu, for more than 17 weeks (4.5 months!) hens have been confined indoors in the barn. Because of legislation aimed at preventing contamination from wild birds—which can infect unprotected outdoor hens and spread bird flu—it is forbidden to let hens roam outside freely, and there is a requirement to keep them protected.

This means people have been buying eggs from free-range hens for over 4 months that actually have no outdoor access! After 3 months, it was considered reasonable that these eggs should no longer be sold as free-range eggs. Therefore, the measure is that free-range eggs may no longer be sold as such. Organic eggs, however, can still be sold this way even if the hens are confined indoors (as per free-range requirements). Different regulations apply here, including a feed requirement (organic feed) alongside the free-range criteria. This means some organic standards are still met (organic feed), and legislation allows eggs to be sold as organic despite the hens not going outside.

Organic refers only to the feed. Rondeel guarantees animal-friendly and environmentally friendly production.

Organic hens stay indoors during bird flu, confined in a barn with a supply of organic feed.

Fortunately, Rondeel chickens continue to freely roam outdoors in the fresh air without disturbance.

The Rondeel chickens are fed chicken feed for which we have established several specific requirements for the producer. These requirements focus on healthy nutrition to maintain the good health and resistance of our chickens. This benefits the animal welfare of our hens, as we do not aim for the “cheapest possible feed” to produce eggs. Various raw materials are used, including grains such as corn and wheat, but also circular ingredients like bakery residual streams (no longer suitable for human consumption) and the circular use of eggshells (a natural, well-absorbed source of calcium for chickens) from the egg processing industry.

If soy is used, it must be responsibly sourced soy (RTRS-certified soy), for example, where no deforestation has taken place. The use of quality ingredients is reflected in a firm white and a tasty, creamy yolk.

You can also see the visible result in the color of our yolks; we do not use color additives, just like organic feed, which are also not allowed in our feed.

Pricing is a difficult matter. Often, we want to invest more to take even better care of our animals and the environment, but the market does not always allow for that. We constantly balance what is feasible; however, our poultry farmers receive a good price that ensures the current levels of animal welfare (Better Life *** highest standards) and environmental care (on the way to PlanetProof certification) can be maintained.

For this, we are paid more, and the higher price is directly reflected in our webcam and in the happy hens that have space to roam every day.