Over the last few years the Simmons Foods Inc Hatchery at Jane, Missouri in the USA has undergone a major expansion and refurbishment. In parallel with this, the opportunity was taken to introduce automation into chick vaccination and chick processing. In order to see first hand what has been done and, more importantly, what has been achieved, International Hatchery Practice visited the hatchery at the beginning of the year. There is still some work to be done, including the installation of a few more Chick Master setters, but when this is complete the capacity of the hatchery will be 2.8 million eggs a week making it one of the largest hatcheries in the world.
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