Miller Poultry is renovating its broiler hatchery in Goshen, Indiana.
Once the renovation is completed, the hatchery will have the capacity to set 1.1 million eggs on a weekly basis.
A family business since 1942, Miller Poultry processes all-vegetable fed, raised without antibiotics broilers that have been raised on small Amish family farms. It is the 31st largest broiler company in the United States, according to the WATTAgNet Top Poultry Companies Database.
The hatchery project follows an announcement made by the company in 2017, which revealed that Miller Poultry is growing by beginning its own breeder operation, entering contracts with more growers and adding a second shift to its poultry plant in Orland, Indiana.
Hatchery to feature SmartPro equipment
Miller Poultry will equip its refurbished hatchery with 27 technologically advanced SmartPro NF setters, accompanying hatchers and supporting ventilation.
According to a press release, SmartPro NF single stage incubation allows for precise, zonal temperature control, which delivers a higher hatch of fertiles and superior chick uniformity. Miller’s entire incubation and hatching process will be integrated with the SmartCenterPro hatchery management system, Pas Reform’s most advanced, next generation hatchery information software, to aid in quality control, preventative maintenance and hatch cycle analysis.
“It is the right time to significantly upgrade our hatchery and go 100 percent single stage. When we analyzed the health, robustness and uniformity of the day-old chicks produced by our current SmartPro NF single stage equipment, we were left in no doubt that this was the best route to continue innovating incubation in our company,” said Stephen Shepard, Miller Poultry vice president of live operations.
“We have been extremely pleased with our relationship with NatureForm, so they were the natural choice to support our plans.”
Miller Poultry Owner Galen Miller added: “We are one of the original users of NatureForm single stage equipment. It has been great to watch them grow and advance over the years and we are happy to move forward together with them in this new phase of our operations.”
Jack Hubbell, vice president of sales for NatureForm, stated: “We are excited about the opportunity to grow with Miller Poultry. We have known them for many years and it is really special to be a chosen supplier for such a quality-conscious company.”
