Towns in France and Belgium have been giving away free chickens for years to combat food waste. Could this novel idea spread to other countries?
Colmar’s Experimental Scheme
In 2015, the French town of Colmar launched a groundbreaking initiative where residents received free chickens to reduce food waste. This experiment was developed by the town’s waste collection department and aimed to encourage local residents to recycle food scraps through chicken feeding. As Gilbert Meyer, the then-president of Colmar Agglomération, said, “one family, one hen,” urging families to adopt a chicken and, in turn, address food waste.
The initiative was backed by local farms, and residents were provided with two hens each, either red chickens (Poulet Rouge) or Alsace chickens, a breed unique to the region. According to Meyer, “The effort put into raising a chicken would pay off quickly with a steady supply of eggs.”
The Success of the Initiative
The scheme gained significant traction, with over 200 homes in four municipalities participating. Eric Straumann, current president of Colmar Agglomération, remarked, “Over the years, other municipalities have joined and since 2022 all 20 municipalities of the agglomération have participated.” The program’s success meant that by 2025, over 5,000 hens had been distributed to local families. These chickens not only provided a steady supply of eggs but helped divert food waste from landfills, with chickens fed kitchen scraps, helping reduce environmental impact.
Straumann pointed out the environmental benefits: “Considering that a hen has a life expectancy of four years on average and that she consumes 150g (5.3oz) of bio-waste per day, we estimate that we have avoided 273.35 tonnes of bio-waste [since 2015].”
Other Towns Join the Movement
Colmar is not the only town to embrace this idea. In 2012, a similar program launched in the French town of Pincé. Mayor Lydie Pasteau said, “To begin with, it was a joke, but then we realised it was a very good idea.” This program, like Colmar’s, aimed to help residents cut down on organic waste, with 31 families participating. The Belgian towns of Mouscron and Antwerp also joined the trend, giving away chickens with the requirement that they could not be eaten for at least two years.
In Limburg, Belgium, over 2,500 families adopted hens in just one year. The municipality provided basic instructions on how to care for the birds, and residents were required to have enough space in their gardens. In Mouscron, the second round of chicken distribution saw 50 pairs given to locals, continuing the momentum.
Challenges and Considerations
Though the idea has been embraced in some areas, it faces significant hurdles in other parts of the world. Paul Behrens, a professor at the University of Oxford, highlighted concerns with such schemes in the UK, particularly with bird flu: “Bird flu is an ever-present worry. Current regulations mean you have to keep birds in fenced areas or indoors – this may again be a problem for animal welfare, or even disease spread if people don’t do this.”
The concept also faces challenges in the United States, especially during egg shortages exacerbated by bird flu. Mark Bomford, director of Yale University’s sustainable food program, expressed concerns about handing out free chickens, saying, “Economically, steep inflation for a basic grocery item like eggs hurts the poor far more than it hurts the rich. To care for chickens, you need feed, water, housing, space, and free time.”
A Creative Solution and Unexpected Benefits
One innovative solution to the challenges of raising chickens came from Christine and Brian Templeton, who started “Rent The Chicken” in New Hampshire. They provide hens, feed, and support for six months, allowing customers to collect fresh eggs at home. The business has flourished, with many families opting for a temporary, hassle-free solution.
Despite the potential difficulties, there are unexpected benefits. The Colmar program, while primarily focused on food waste reduction, also created a strong sense of community. Straumann explained, “Residents have welcomed this operation since its launch… that’s why all the municipalities in Colmar still participate in our programme today.” Families often bond over caring for the chickens and help each other when someone goes on holiday, fostering a deeper sense of community.
