• First tested in Belcodène and Saint-Savournin, the donation of two laying hens per household has been extended to the 12 municipalities of the Aubagne and Etoile regions.

  • The objective is to reduce the consumable waste to be collected, in a “zero waste” perspective.

He did not expect such a “popular success”.

Patrick Pin is mayor of Belcodène, a small rural town in the country of Aubagne and Etoile.

Last year, the inhabitants were able to adopt two laying hens offered by the agglomeration.

“More than 200 people have joined this waste reduction initiative,” smiles the city councilor.

The operation was also tested a few kilometers away, in Saint-Savournin.

In these two municipalities, a total of 750 hens have found (in pairs) the way to the gardens, the condition for leaving with gallinaceae eating peelings and leftover meals.

Well-being charter written by the SPA

Building on this success, the initiative has now been extended to the twelve municipalities in the Pays d'Aubagne and Etoile regions.

“In view of the requests, we have planned between 7,000 and 10,000 hens”, advances Serge Perottino, its president.

According to him, the calculation is quick if we compare the cost of the operation (80,000 euros) and the savings made on the "340 tonnes of consumable waste less to collect".

"The best waste is that which is not produced", he reminds us, hoping that this initiative will reduce the volume of food waste by 20 to 30%.

Interested adopters can pick up withdrawal coupons directly from the town hall, then pick up the hens from a poultry farmer based in Trets.

They sign a charter of respect for animal well-being, established in partnership with the SPA Marseille Provence, where they undertake to take care of the hens.

"You need sufficient outdoor space, at least 5 square meters per hen, a shelter to sleep peacefully, a feeder with a base of cereals, and clean water every day", warns Thomas Dano, of the Association Poule Pour Tous.

And in the rest of the metropolis?

“Normally, from there, we are rather quiet, he continues.

A little time to dedicate to them to clean the chicken coop, after that it's just fun, fresh and organic eggs”.

Without forgetting the fence to protect from predators.

Based in Nantes, this structure saves laying hens promised to the slaughterhouse because they are no longer profitable enough, by offering them for adoption at the price of 5 euros per hen.

He sometimes organizes rescue operations elsewhere in France, as soon as near Montpellier.

In the Pays d'Aubagne, the operation is part of a “zero waste” territorial approach.

Can we imagine one day extending it to the rest of the Aix-Marseille metropolis?

Serge Perottino evades the question, while giving a perspective: “Of the 92 municipalities of the metropolis, there are 80% of suburban dwellings.

And we can very well put chickens in a garden in Marseille.

» « And there is no rooster, notes pragmatic Patrick Pin, otherwise there would be war in the village between neighbours!

".

Planet

Toulouse: It recycles our bio-waste and thanks to it we have eggs all year round, here is the connected and autonomous chicken coop

Planet

Marseille: The Old Port is equipped with a connected net to capture waste at the stormwater outlet

  • Planet

  • Waste

  • Chicken

  • Animals

  • Live better in the city

  • In prison

  • Marseilles

  • Paca