August 27, 2019

 

Aviagen opens ninth hatchery in US
 

 

Aviagen has built a new parent stock hatchery in Quitman, Georgia, the United States, to meet a growing demand for quality broiler breeding stock around the world.

 

A grand opening ceremony for the hatchery was held on August 22. Aviagen CEO Jan Henriksen welcomed and extended his appreciation to Quitman Mayor Nancy Dennard, state and local government officials, and others who played an important role in establishing the new facility.

 

The 78,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility becomes the ninth and largest in Aviagen's US fleet, with the ability to set 1.1 million eggs per week. The company has invested US$28 million in the Quitman hatchery, which will result in the creation of up to 100 new jobs for the local workforce.

 

With construction taking just under a year, the hatchery became fully operational at the end of May, with a first shipment including an export and a domestic order in mid-June.

 

The hatchery's strong production capacity is made possible using 80 Jamesway Platinum 2.0 next-generation incubators and 56 Jamesway Platinum next-generation hatchers. Modern environmental and hygiene-control features ensure the maximum health, welfare and biosecurity for hatching eggs and chicks, Aviagen said.

 

Another highlight that represents the latest in hatchery innovation are chick storage rooms by HatchTech. While chicks wait in these rooms before transport, they are kept comfortable with the ideal temperature, humidity, airflow and other environmental conditions – another measure to optimise chick health and welfare.

 

The Quitman grandparent (GP) hatchery will enable the company to better serve the needs of customers in the US and abroad, while meeting an ever-increasing demand for quality breeding stock.

 

While the Quitman hatchery will supply domestic customers, it is also strategically located near major interstate corridors, allowing easy access to Miami and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international airports for easy export to more than 80 countries around the world.

Aviagen anticipates that the majority of international shipments from the Quitman hatchery will be destined for customers in Latin America.

 

"Aviagen is very much about our people in local communities, and shares with our customers a mission to provide a nutritious and affordable protein source that they can depend on," Henriksen explained.

 

"Through continuous improvements in our breeding programme and strategic investments such as the Quitman hatchery, we strengthen our ability to secure a consistent supply of healthy, robust breeding chicks to our customers on a global scale."

 

In addition to the Quitman hatchery, Aviagen also invested in a new feed processing facility in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, last year.

 

- Aviagen