To meet a growing demand for quality broiler breeding stock around the world, Aviagen has built a new parent stock (PS) hatchery in Quitman, Georgia.  The grand opening ceremony was held on August 22, where Aviagen CEO Jan Henriksen welcomed and extended his appreciation to Quitman Mayor Nancy Dennard, other state and local government officials, and many who played a significant role in establishing the new facility.  The 78,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility becomes the 9th and largest in Aviagen’s U.S. fleet, with the ability to set 1.1 million eggs per week.  The company has invested $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 new 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 significant 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 the hatching eggs and chicks.

The Quitman GP hatchery will enable the company to better serve the needs of customers in the US and abroad, while meeting an every-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 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.  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,” said Aviagen CEO Jan Henriksen.