Hungarian hatchery to triple day-old-chick production to 34 million a year

Hungarian hatchery company Herbro Ltd. expects to triple its production of day-old chicks to 34 million a year beginning next year.

A part of poultry integrator Hercsihús Ltd.,Herbro has been undergoing expansion and modernisation, including the adoption of the SmartPro™ single stage incubation technologies from Pas Reform.

The modernisation programme includes hatchery automation for candling and transfer,chick counting and boxing, and the installation of full HVAC (climate control) with energy-saving heat recovery system and washing machines.

Founded in 2008 to ensure the continuous production of quality day-old-chicks for Hercsihús' integrated operations, Herbrois expanding capacity from 11 million day old chicks a year in response to an expanding share of the domestic market and new opportunities for growth.

Based close to Hercsihús Ltd.'s headquarters in Hernád, Herbro's ultra-modern hatchery is an investment for the combined integration, which currently processes 14 million chickens annually through a network of owned and contracted farms throughout Hungary.

With the hatchery's current expansion,Hercsihúscould raise its production capacity to 20 million broilers a year.

Mr.PálKiszel, owner of Herbro Ltd.,  and his son GáborKiszel, production director, say the decision to work with Pas Reform was made after extensive work to identify a suitable hatchery supplier. "Against the backdrop of increasing demand – and with our current incubation equipment requiring more and more servicing - we felt it was a logical and timely investment to refurnish the hatchery and introduce an increased level of automation.

"Our research into the available options concluded that Pas Reform is the most modern, most reliable hatchery equipment supplier in the world – and with the advanced information, data gathering and management capabilities of SmartPro™, the best partner for us, as we prepare for the future development of our business."

The Herbro expansion project is due for completion by the end of the year.