UPDATED Hatchery Tour 2022

Summary

Belle and Evans introduces its groundbreaking, organic-certified hatchery focused on animal welfare. The hatchery, the first of its kind globally, operates with a commitment to biosecurity, using organic cleaners and avoiding antibiotics at all stages. The process, involving cutting-edge technology, ensures low-stress conditions for chicks from incubation to hatching, followed by a gentle transport system. The hatchery's design emphasizes quality and humane practices, ensuring chicks are well-cared for and nurtured from day one. Belle and Evans’ innovation in the poultry industry sets new standards in ethical, sustainable chicken farming.

Takeaways

• 😀 Belle Evans' hatchery is the first of its kind in the world, certified organic by Pennsylvania Certified Organic.
• 😀 The hatchery is built with animal welfare as a priority, employing strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease.
• 😀 The facility spans 160,000 square feet and can hatch 1.9 million chicks per week, with future plans to increase capacity to 3.6 million chicks per week.
• 😀 The hatchery has a two-sided layout with separate sections for eggs and chicks to minimize contamination risks.
• 😀 Employees follow rigorous hygiene practices, including mandatory on-site showers and use of organic-approved cleaners.
• 😀 Eggs are incubated using advanced technology that gradually heats them over 16 hours, preventing shock to embryos.
• 😀 The hatchery uses organic-approved vaccines and avoids injecting antibiotics into eggs or chicks, maintaining a truly organic process.
• 😀 After 18 days of incubation, eggs undergo an embryo detection process to separate fertile eggs from non-viable ones.
• 😀 Chicks are raised in a low-stress, humane environment, with no mechanical handling or conveyor drops, ensuring their welfare.
• 😀 Chicks are transported to farms in climate-controlled trailers that maintain optimal conditions for their well-being during the journey.
• 😀 Belle Evans' commitment to animal welfare and organic practices ensures chicks receive high-quality care from hatchery to farm, earning them the nickname 'The Excellent Chicken.'

Q & A

What makes Belle and Evans' hatchery unique compared to traditional hatcheries?

Belle and Evans' hatchery is the first of its kind in the world, focusing on animal welfare with organic certification. The hatchery is completely formaldehyde-free and uses only organic cleaners. It emphasizes biosecurity, low-stress environments for the chicks, and avoids the use of antibiotics at any stage.

How large is the Belle and Evans hatchery, and what is its current capacity?

The hatchery spans 160,000 square feet and can hatch 1.9 million chicks per week at its current capacity. With planned expansions, it will be able to hatch 3.6 million chicks per week.

Why is biosecurity so important at Belle and Evans' hatchery?

Biosecurity is crucial to preventing disease in the hatchery. The use of organic cleaners and formaldehyde-free processes helps maintain a safe environment for the chicks. Limiting visitor access and implementing strict hygiene protocols are key to ensuring the health of the chicks.

How does Belle and Evans ensure the chicks receive a stress-free environment during the hatching process?

Belle and Evans prioritize a low-stress environment by avoiding mechanical handling or conveyor drops. Chicks are visually examined by staff, and the hatchery maintains precise control over temperature, humidity, and airflow, ensuring the chicks are comfortable from hatching until transport.

What makes Belle and Evans' chick hatching system different from traditional hatcheries?

The hatchery uses a two-level specialized hatching system, where the chicks move into a bottom basket after hatching to avoid egg debris. This system provides organic feed and fresh water to the chicks immediately, which is not typically available in traditional hatcheries until they arrive at the farm.

How does the hatchery ensure that the eggs are free from harmful bacteria?

The eggs are disinfected with an organic-approved mist in a disinfectant room upon arrival. Non-viable embryos are removed to prevent them from decomposing and contaminating the viable eggs, ensuring the chicks are not exposed to harmful bacteria.

What is the role of the 'walk-on ceiling' in the hatchery?

The walk-on ceiling allows maintenance workers to access mechanical equipment without having to descend to the hatchery floor. This reduces potential contamination and helps maintain a clean and bio-secure environment.

What is unique about Belle and Evans' chick trailers?

Belle and Evans' chick trailers are designed with climate control systems that replicate the hatchery environment. The trailers maintain precise temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, ensuring the chicks are kept in ideal conditions during transport to the farms.

How does Belle and Evans handle chicks that are not healthy or viable?

Chicks that are not viable are removed from the hatching trays and go through a humane euthanasia process called 'slow induction euthanasia,' which uses CO2 to put them to sleep peacefully.

What is the significance of Belle and Evans' organic feed for the chicks?

The organic feed used at Belle and Evans is a proprietary blend that provides balanced nutrients to support the chicks' growth and health during their early days. Unlike traditional hatcheries, Belle and Evans ensures the chicks have access to food and water immediately after hatching.