Two new layer research facilities open in Canada

The Maple Lane research barn was designed with high biosecurity standards in mind as well as energy savings and operational efficiency. This facility mirrors Oakdale research facility, another newly built barn outside of Cambridge housing some of our pure line layer families. After the ribbon cutting and remarks by Jeff Wilson, Operation Manager, the employees went through a guided tour to ask questions and learn more about the facility.

Both farm entrances feature a dry shower and transitional zone. The workers change from their outside clothes into coveralls and then proceed through the transitional zone (named the “no man’s land”) to the wet shower. They then shower and change into another set of clean clothes. This reduces the chance of contaminants transferring into the barns and highlights the heightened level of biosecurity practised in this location. The buildings are also outfitted with LED lighting, motion sensing lighting in the entrance building, a wastewater collection system, and an automated manure removal system.

The facility is divided into two areas: individual housing for the pure line birds used in our breeding and pedigree program and an area for enriched family pens where males and females are kept together. In total, Maple Lane and Oakdale can house up to 35,000 birds each. Eggs are collected using a conveyer system which was designed so that data collection using handhelds can be completed easily by the staff. The individual pens also measure feed conversion, egg weight, body weights and many traits related to egg quality, of the birds for research and selection purposes at the pure line level.

We are excited to feature these two new barns showing our investment in new and innovative facilities with a focus on efficiency and biosecurity.