ATLANTA, GA
BELL & EVANS PARTNERS WITH HATCHTECH AND VISCON TO BUILD THE FIRST HUMANE ANIMAL WELFARE FOCUSED CHICK HATCHERY IN THE UNITED STATES
Bell & Evans, Fredericksburg, PA, USA, HatchTech, Veenendaal, the Netherlands, and Viscon, Gravendeel, the Netherlands, have signed an agreement for the construction of the first Humane Animal Welfare Focused Chick Hatchery in the United States. The hatchery utilizes HatchTech’s advanced technology using MicroClimer Setters, HatchCare units, along with a complete ventilation system, cooling and heating distributors, and hatchery management systems. This system will provide immediate access of fresh food, water, air and light for the newly hatched chicks, something currently unheard of in the US poultry industry. Viscon will supply the new hatchery with state-of-the-art Live Embryo Detection, transferring only the living embryos into incubation, as well as an effective in-ovo vaccination machine and stress-free chick transfer line to contribute to the humane handling of the chicks.
“I’ve made many trips to Europe in search of our next hatchery system,” says Scott Sechler, Sr., President, Owner and Founder of Bell & Evans. “HatchTech and Viscon are the perfect fit for Bell & Evans, not only because of the advanced technology they offer, but because they are passionate and forward-thinking in what they do. Their focus on humane animal welfare is directly in line with my philosophy to continually reduce stress and improve the welfare and comfort of our chickens. It is a well-designed and thought-out system. We at Bell & Evans are very excited and proud to partner with them to build the first Humane Animal Welfare Focused Chick Hatchery in the United States.”
HatchTech’s International Sales Manager in the USA, Gilber Klumpenaar, agrees. “Introducing HatchCare to the USA market together with Bell & Evans is a perfect move for both of our companies. Bell & Evans is producing antibiotic-free and organic chicken, with a strong focus on animal welfare. The HatchCare system will contribute to everything they stand for.”
Bas Smaal, General Manager for Viscon adds, “We are excited to partner with Bell & Evans and support their humane animal welfare focus. Our Viscon systems, coupled with HatchCare, make this the most advanced hatchery system in the United States.”
The hatchery will be located in Fredericksburg, PA. Initial construction is slated for the Spring 2016, with full operation by the end of the year.
ABOUT BELL & EVANS
Bell & Evans is a family-owned and operated company located in Fredericksburg, PA. It is the United States premium grower and processor of chickens raised with ZERO antibiotics, as well as a USDA certified organic program. They are considered pioneers of the poultry industry, and base their success on exceptional growing and farming practices that support a stress-free environment for the birds, including raising chickens without the use of antibiotics since 1998.
ABOUT HATCHTECH
With over 100 employees, HatchTech is headquartered in Veenendaal, the Netherlands. Their guiding principle is to provide superior chick quality by creating research-based solutions for incubation, chick transportation and brooding, and by providing effective customer service in installing and maintaining that technology. As the foundation of their business culture and practices – from research and development, product and project engineering, to customer service, their research-based knowledge enables them to develop outstanding, yet userfriendly products for the global poultry industry.
ABOUT VISCON
Viscon Hatchery Automation specializes in all equipment from egg reception to chick delivery in a hatchery and is based in Gravendeel, the Netherlands. Specializing in this process since the late 90’s, they rapidly developed to become the biggest producer and specialist in this area of expertise. They have supplied many system to hatcheries worldwide, from standalone machinery to the world’s largest turnkey projects.