build progressed at a somewhat slower pace than had been planned, but it continued. HatchTech’s sales manager Marc de Visser comments: “We are used to the fact that planning and building a new hatchery is a long progress. That said, the Covid-19 restrictions did make things not so straightforward. Getting dozens of shipping containers from across the world to the building site and getting tech staff in across closed bor- ders was a challenge. During the actual building and installing of the hatchery, despite not being physically on site due to travel restrictions, HatchTech teams worked closely and in perfect harmony with Ingham’s teams to get the job done”.
Sound returns Just as difficulties are there to be overcome, so the teams from Europe and Australia rejuvenated the new hatcheries and then started up the systems. De Visser: “The Ingham’s team has many years of experience with our hatcheries at their existing facilities, by working with our coaching depart- ment both projects resulted in a smooth start-up”. De Visser sees Ingham’s as one of his more progressive customers, one that has an eye for animal welfare. “Installing the HatchCare system does come at a premium price due to improved bird performance and associated additional revenues.” Lankford agrees: “As in other developed markets, Australian
society demands from us that we take good care of our birds. At this time, all our Australian production is already RSPCA certified but when you make an investment for decades into the future, it’s always wise to try and foresee what may be ex- pected of you. It will come as no surprise that welfare and an- imal-friendly production will become more important as time goes by. Hatching chicks in a well-lit hatcher and providing feed and water from the start fits right in with that.” Lankford continues: “If you step into the hatcher you immediately no- tice the difference yourself. Instead of noisy chicks there is just silence and the satisfying image of the first hatchlings feeding, while some of the eggs are still intact, waiting for the chick inside to break the shell”. According to Ingham’s general manager, primary processing HatchCare brings added animal welfare benefits as well as fi- nancial benefits: “Getting the birds on the feed and giving ac- cess to water is not just a welfare thing, it ensures a better chick quality, too”. Now fully operational, Ingham’s has seen positive results at its Pakenham hatchery, with a 15% im- provement in seven day chick weights over traditional hatch- ery performance. Lankford: “That makes a sound business proposition, in any case. Our goal is to produce the best chick possible for our growers and be the most trusted food com- pany in our market for our consumers, now and in the future.”
▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 10, 2021
With direct ac- cess to feed and water, the chicks show improved bodyweight from the start.
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