The Estonian only domestic poultry producer HKScan Estonia reopened the production at Saha and Ülgas broiler farms, by increasing the annual volume of production marketed under Tallegg brand from more than 20 thousand tons per year by almost 10 percent to better meet the consumer demand. As a result of renovation the farms have received the fully automated feeding and air-conditioning systems that can be remotely monitored and controlled to ensure modern breeding and welfare conditions.
According to Anne Mere, EVP Business Unit Baltics, the consumption of poultry meat has increased year by year and as a result the volume of Tallegg's production has expanded by more than a third within 10 years. “The share of poultry meat in the consumption of Estonians has definitely increased. Over the last 10 years the per capita consumption of poultry meat has increased by 25 percent. Last year 26.8 kilograms of poultry meat was eaten per person," Mere explained.
“By increasing the production volumes we are responding to the growing demand that domestic production will account for an increasing share of all poultry meat consumed in Estonia. It is not less important that Tallegg's chickens all grow on the Estonian peat soil and eat fodder made of local grain,” Mere added.
The newly renovated farm complexes are now fully automated just like most other Tallegg broiler farms - ventilation, feeding, watering, heating and light are all remotely controlled. As a result of insulation of the buildings it is possible to maintain an ideal microclimate in the poultry houses. It is very important for the welfare of the birds that the temperature, humidity and ventilation as well as food and clean water suitable for the development of poultry are ensured around the clock. All this enables to operate two farm complexes consisting of six buildings by only one person.
"We have made all investments during recent years, among other things, with the aim to decrease our environmental footprint. We replaced the existing lighting with more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly LED lighting in most chicken farms in Saha and Ülgase, insulated all buildings and transferred the heating of the auxiliary rooms and domestic water to gas heating,” Mere explained.
The total investment cost of Saha and Ülgase broiler farms was 0.7 million euros.
The birds are kept freely in all poultry houses of Tallegg, i.e. chicken broilers have the opportunity to move around freely in the buildings. The birds are fed with clean drinking water and Estonian grain fodder. Their menu does not include antibiotics or growth promoters.
The use of hormones to promote the growth of animals and poultry has been banned in the European Union for more than twenty years. The use of antibiotics in EU animal and poultry farming is only allowed for treatment purposes and only based on the prescription of a veterinarian. Last spring the Veterinary and Food Board acknowledged Tallegg's poultry farming for establishing a system of chickens reared without antibiotics. This means that, as a poultry producer, we have taken a step beyond the law and are providing the consumers an additional guarantee that Tallegg chicken broilers have never been treated with antibiotics during their lifetime.
Additional information:
Anne Mere
EVP Business Unit Baltics
E-mail: anne.mere@hkscan.com
Phone: +372 502 5899