La ferme du Four à Verre

A story of family and passion

Benoit d'Halluin was originally a nurse and turned to agriculture out of pure passion in 1998. Not coming from a farming family

Starting out in conventional agriculture, he was not afraid to ask disturbing questions and to think "outside the box". In 2004, he naturally turned to organic farming, which was a perfect fit with his values and vision. He was one of the first farmers to convert in the region and he knew how to surround himself with the right people to apply the right techniques.

Benoit and his parents had the opportunity to buy a farm and land (3 hectares) in Froidchapelle, initially to work with Limousin cows. After an accident invalidating his father, he saw things differently and decided to work only with laying hens. It is a choice of heart but also of reflection.

Today, they have a total of more than 250 hectares of organic land.

At The Barn, you can find their organic eggs sold in bulk! Feel free to bring your own box to carry them!

The team

It's a family affair at heart. Their good decisions and their incomparable management have led them to be able to hire 14 dedicated people to accompany them in this important work every day!

"Tourism, chickens and culture

The Ferme du Four à Verre is spread over 5 sites in the province of Hainaut. Each site is self-sufficient, with one or more hen houses attached directly to a packing centre. There is also a gîte on each site, for a stay in the heart of the countryside!

What do they feed your chickens?

Ferme du Four à Verre is the only farm in Belgium that produces, harvests and processes most of the food they feed their chickens at home. They are therefore over 70% self-sufficient.

This is very important to them: "when you are organic, you are organic at 100%!

These are the ingredients:

• naked oats (without husk)
• rye
• froment
• tritical
• protein peas
• honey locust
• maize

The remaining 30%, which are difficult to grow in Belgium and are essential for the hen:

• calcium
• soybean (methianine)
• sunflower

Are the chickens free-range?

The Ferme du Four à Verre applies the organic regulations concerning the space provided for the hens, i.e.

• 4m²/ hen outdoors ;
• 6 hens per m² indoors.