Expanding our layer distribution in the US

Hendrix Genetics’ layer breeds are ideally suited to the rapidly changing US market, with a growing demand for cage-free systems that has been driven by animal welfare concerns.

White birds are easier to manage in a cage-free environment and produce a high number of first-class quality eggs. As well as outstanding laying capabilities, our Dekalb White in particular thrives in any system. With excellent livability and nest behavior, the breed is social and shows less stress and feather pecking behaviors, which are particularly important factors in cage-free systems. While consumers in Europe  have traditionally associated brown eggs/hens with cage-free production and white eggs/hens with cage production, this perception is changing. They are becoming the preferred choice in many European countries and it is anticipated that this will also happen in the US. 

The new layer hatchery, with capacity to produce 24 million female chicks per year, will contribute towards meeting the enormous demand for our layers in the US. Construction of the new facility began in September 2016 and is almost complete. The facility will create around 45 new jobs for local people in a range of hatchery roles. Some of these posts have already been filled, however, recruitment for the rest continues.

Alongside the new hatchery, expansion of Hendrix Genetics layer distribution in the US will be strengthened even further through key contract growers in close proximity of the new hatchery, who will rear and house the birds during production. We are already working together with eight contract growers in the Grand Island area, who have invested in new barns to house the birds. With a capacity of 40,000 birds for each barn, the Grand Island contract growers will complete the new ‘national production hub’ for Hendrix Genetics in the US. We have provided the contract growers with blueprints for the barns and advised on contractors and management of the eventual facilities to ensure that our high production standards are maintained throughout the ‘hub’. Construction of eight of the eleven new barns is already complete.

Construction of our new ‘production hub’ in Nebraska will enable us to meet another 10% of the total US layer market needs and is one of many exciting development projects underway at Hendrix Genetics. We are well on our way to enlarge our global downstream distribution significantly.