The laying hen sector has had to face many challenges in the past decade, including disease outbreaks and concerns over animal welfare. In cooperation with Wageningen University and other partners, Rondeel company (The Netherlands) thought up a new housing system for laying hens which would be able to provide solutions to these challenges and would also be economically viable. Their patented round building design resembles the birds’ natural habitat and means they can indulge in their natural behaviour.