January 14, 2014    

 
Cobb opens new parent stock hatchery in Stromyn, Russia

With an aim to expand its presence in the growing Russian broiler market, breeding company Cobb has opened a new parent stock hatchery, which is now fully operational at Stromyn, near Moscow.

Stromyn has a ChickMaster single-stage hatchery with a capacity of approximately 3.5 million breeder females per year. It also boasts individual air handling units in each room, while its delivery fleet is equipped with the latest Veit environmentally-controlled trailer units.

"We are planning to produce in Russia at least 80% of the Cobb parent stock sold there," said Pelayo Casanovas, Russia business manager for Cobb Europe. "With the Stromyn hatchery and the grandparent operation much closer to our customers, this will provide significant advantages in chick quality and lower transport costs."

Up till now, most Cobb breeders supplied to Russia have been produced in Holland or Germany. But this has become increasingly difficult with Moscow banning imports from these countries due to recurrent avian influenza outbreaks. These, coupled with government subsidies for investing in local poultry production, are the key reasons for Cobb expanding its Russian production capacity over the past five years. The hatchery is sited close to the original Cobb grandparent farm.

The company estimates that in 2014 it will be selling close to six million parent stock, approaching 30% of the market.