Aviagen opens new hatchery
Broiler genetics company Aviagen has started using a new trials hatchery at its Spelderholt research and development facility based in Lelystad, Holland.
The new hatchery joins broiler and parent stock housing, and enables the research facility to cover all aspects of breeder, incubation and commercial broiler performance, a spokesman for the firm said.
The centre was previously owned and run by Livestock Research Wageningen UR. Aviagen took on the buildings on a long-term lease.
The new hatchery contains five Pas Reform SmartSetPro 1 setters, each with a capacity of 19,200 fresh eggs, and two SmartHatchPro hatchers. The facility will allow weekly single stage setting of eggs for trials from on-site production facilities.
Other additions to the new Spelderholt hatchery include egg disinfection facilities, two separately controlled storage rooms for hatching eggs, an egg quality and breakout room, transfer facilities and take-off, dispatch and cleaning room.
Jim McAdam, UK breeding director for Aviagen, said: “The set-up of Spelderholt allows us to replicate conditions and monitor performance across the entire poultry production chain.”
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