Fjords, Farms, and Forward Thinking: LaBelle Patrimoine’s Poultry Learning Tour to Norway

At LaBelle Patrimoine, our mission has always been to raise poultry with care, respect, and a commitment to doing what’s best for both animals and people. Last week, Mike Charles and Tim Cable crossed continents to check out compassionately raised chickens. They were honored to be invited by Compassion in World Farming to travel to Norway and visit Norsk Kylling, one of Europe’s most forward-thinking chicken companies. One of our key partners from Wenger Feed, Leon Heisey, our retail consultant, Theo Weening, and our communications consultant, Kate Lowery, also joined the learning tour. The trip provided a valuable opportunity to see firsthand how another leader in animal welfare and regenerative agriculture approaches poultry production, from hatcheries to supermarket shelves. 

A Holistic View of Poultry Care

The trip to see the nurturing, next-level poultry practices included stops at every stage of Norsk Kylling’s vertically integrated system:

  • Hatchery – The team saw how chicks are gently handled from their very first moments, with systems designed to reduce stress and ensure stronger, healthier birds.

  • Farm – They toured a small family farm that prioritizes animal well-being, natural light, enrichment, and spacious environments that allow chickens to exhibit natural behaviors.

  • Processing Plant – Norsk Kylling’s new state-of-the-art facility set the bar for humane, efficient, and sustainable practices. With leading-edge technology, the plant is designed to minimize stress while maximizing food safety and product quality.

  • Supermarkets – Seeing the final presentation of products on retail shelves tied the experience together. The clarity of labeling, premium positioning, and consistency of messaging reflected how strongly consumers value humane and sustainable poultry.

Lessons in Animal Compassion

One of the most powerful takeaways was Norsk Kylling’s deep commitment to animal compassion. Every decision they make, from hatchery design to product packaging, reflects a philosophy that healthy, well-treated animals result in better food and stronger consumer trust.

“For LaBelle Patrimoine, this resonated deeply,” said Mike. “With our Compassion in World Farming’s Global Good Chicken Award recognition, animal care is not just a value, it’s our identity. While we pasture raise a slower-growing heritage breed and airchill our chickens to lock in flavor and freshness, this visit affirmed that compassion is not only the right thing to do, but also the foundation of long-term success in today’s food system.”


Bringing Insights Back Home

“We came back to Lancaster inspired and energized by the visit,” said Tim. “The tour sparked important discussions about how LaBelle Patrimoine can continue to innovate and lead in the U.S. market.”  Specifically the brand has the opportunity to: 

  • Strengthen our animal welfare standards to reflect global best practices.

  • Continue to invest in farm partnerships that prioritize humane care.

  • Explore new ways to communicate our values clearly to consumers through packaging, storytelling, and retail experiences. 

By learning from peers abroad and applying those lessons here at home, we are committed to raising the bar for American poultry and continuing to nourish families with food they can trust.

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Supporting and Expanding Ethical, Values-Based Sourcing of Animal Proteins