In the 1990s, organic poultry farming was still in its infancy. Cage farming was the sad standard and most laying hens barely had room to breathe. The first guidelines for organic farms had only just been developed and the idea of organic broilers was nothing but an illusion. But as demand for organic food grew, more and more farms realised that things could not go on like this. 

In 2013, things got really serious. The public gained a shocking insight into the abuses in livestock farming. Reports of unacceptable conditions and feed fraud, including on organic farms, were published. These incidents showed that the way in which animals are bred, kept and fed is fundamentally flawed. 

In particular, the breeding of animals that either grow quickly and produce a lot of meat or lay large quantities of eggs was criticized, as it requires an intensive supply of nutrients and entails many animal welfare issues. It became clear: if we are serious about organic, we need to rethink. Urgently. Animal breeding and husbandry must go hand in hand. They need to be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and fair for everyone!

As a result, the poultry farmers of the Demeter and Bioland organic associations agreed: if you want to change things, you have to invest in your own, independent organic breeding programme! But this was anything but easy. Worldwide, there was no longer a freely accessible gene pool with a sufficient breeding history and genetic range - everything was already privatised and owned by companies.

But then we came across a real treasure: old breeding stock from the GDR. Scientists at the University of Halle had kept these valuable animals with decades of breeding history for research purposes - not for trade. The pioneers Dr Sigmar Götze and Jörg Bourget had already selected these animals at the University of Halle in Merbitz in 1994. And as luck would have it, they were ready for a new home in 2014. A real stroke of luck!

In 2015, Bioland and Demeter founded a non-profit limited company with the aim of promoting organic animal breeding and launching an innovative breeding programme for laying hens.

Unter der Geschäftsleitung von Inga Günther-Bender wurde mit zwei Herden der Hühnerrassen White Rock und New Hampshire der neue Zuchtstandort der ÖTZ in Goch / Nordrhein-Westfalen eingerichtet. Diese Tiere bilden nun die Grundlagen unserer Zuchtarbeit.

Two years later, a third herd of the meaty French breed Bresse Gauloises added to the genetic diversity of our breed.

Schon vor der Gründung der ÖTZ hatte Inga Günther-Bender begonnen diese Tiere zu Hause am Bodensee zu selektieren. Sie waren die perfekte Ergänzung zu den bereits vorhandenen Rassen White Rock und New Hampshire.

A new milestone in organic poultry breeding: At the beginning of 2019, the ÖTZ crosses ‘Coffee’ and ‘Cream’, named after the colours of their plumage, were presented to farmers for the first time. At the same time, ÖTZ has continued to specialise in the pure breeding of ÖTZ Bresse Gauloise.

A new chapter began in November 2020 with the introduction of the cattle breeding sector. Cattle farming, an essential part of organic farming, now also received the necessary attention at ÖTZ. Dr Carsten Scheper has been responsible for this area ever since.

In 2025, we will be celebrating our tenth anniversary - a decade full of commitment, innovation and passion for organic livestock farming and greater animal welfare in agriculture in general. 

But that is just the beginning! 

Further breeds and livestock species are to be included under the ÖTZ umbrella in the future. At the same time, we will continue our intensive research and breeding and offer comprehensive information and support for our customers in order to further advance our vision of independent farming structures, biodiversity, climate-friendly and sustainable livestock farming.