A South Waikato forest is about to be full of hens - but free of cruelty.

A 139-hectare property near Tokoroa, is set to become the country's leading egg production site.

Better Eggs says the free range farm will have eight laying sheds, sitting between 90,000 trees, and is set to be home to more than 320,000 laying hens over the next five years.

Chief executive Gareth van der Hayden says robotic systems will allow staff to have a different kind of focus.

"They spend more time with the birds and looking after the welfare of the birds rather than collecting eggs."

He says an ethical food production process is front of mind.

"What's best for the chooks and the environment that they actually live in, hence we've done it in a forest environment where the birds are safe and secure."

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