Aviagen has opened Europe's largest Parent Stock (PS) hatchery at Hilbersdorf, near Dresden, in Germany on Wednesday (Feb 4).

The EUR12 million facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that will enhance Aviagen's European supply network.

The facility will hatch about 1 million PS chicks per month predominantly supplied to customers in Eastern and Western Europe.

The opening of the facility marks a milestone in Aviagen's strategy to be the world leading supplier for poultry breeding stock, according to Randall Ennis, CEO Aviagen Broiler Breeding.

The Hilbersdorf facility is now part of Aviagen's European network, including wholly-owned operations in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Hungary, said Brian Whittle, Aviagen's President of European Operations.