To meet a growing demand for quality broiler breeding stock around the world, Aviagen, Huntsville, Ala., built a new parent stock (PS) hatchery in Quitman, Ga.

The 78,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is the company’s largest U.S. hatchery, with the ability to set 1.1 million eggs per week. The $28 million hatchery will create up to 100 new jobs, and 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 significant production capacity is made possible using 80 Jamesway Platinum 2.0 next-generation incubators and 56 Jamesway Platinum next-generation hatchers, manufactured by Jamesway Incubator Co., Canada. Modern environmental and hygiene-control features ensure the maximum health, welfare and biosecurity for the hatching eggs and chicks.

Another highlight are chick storage rooms by HatchTech, The Netherlands. While chicks wait in these rooms before transport, they are kept comfortable with the ideal temperature, humidity, airflow and other environmental conditions.

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 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, says Jan Henriksen, chief executive officer. “Through continuous improvements in our breeding program 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.”