Scharrel

Scharrel is a Dutch term derived from scharrelen, meaning to forage or scratch around for food. In agricultural and retail usage, scharrel refers to poultry products—most commonly eggs and chicken meat—produced under systems in which the birds are not kept in conventional battery cages and have some opportunity to move about and forage.

The exact welfare standard associated with the label is not uniformly defined and varies by producer, retailer, and country. In the Netherlands and Belgium, scharrel is a marketing category used to indicate higher welfare than caged systems, typically implying that hens have access to an outdoor area and a non-cage living environment. However, terms and conditions can differ, and the label does not automatically equate to organic certification or to a fixed set of welfare requirements.

Scharreleieren and scharrelkip are common manifestations of the term. Some producers allow only limited outdoor access or moderate indoor space, while others align more closely with broader welfare principles. Because there is no universal legal standard for scharrel, the term can be ambiguous for consumers.

For stronger assurances, many buyers also look for additional labels such as biologisch (organic) or vrij uitloopeieren (free-range with defined outdoor access). Consumers should check accompanying certifications and product information to understand the specific welfare practices behind a scharrel product.