Bell & Evans, Fredericksburg, Pa., announced plans to open a 560,000-square-foot chicken harvesting plant in Fredericksburg in early 2020. The new European-plus harvesting plant will enable Bell & Evans to process another 2.6 million chickens per week in addition to its 1 million per week now. To support increased production, Bell & Evans estimates that it will need to increase its breeder farms by 250% and grow out farms where the chickens are raised by 250% to support its expansion.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” says Scott Sechler, owner. “We have the ongoing new harvesting plant build, and we’re also in the midst of converting 100% of our chickens to a higher-welfare breed, Das Klassenbester. These developments mean healthier chickens and more of them. We’re a great fit for farmers who want to incorporate a successful chicken business into their operation.”