The development by Broiler Budeshego on land at Stromyn, in the Noginsk district 60 km north east of Moscow, is planned to produce 2.5 million Cobb Avian 48 parent stock a year initially, increasing to more than four million.

The project is based on an existing poultry farm where an adjoining 75 hectare site is being used to develop a state-of-the-art breeder hatchery, and separate rearing and production zones. The isolation of the site, remote from other poultry farms and adjoining forest reserves and military base, is an important biosecurity advantage.

The layout has been designed to meet international bio-security standards for zoning so that each house is treated separately in the event of any disease problem.

The initial grandparent chicks will be placed in August. To enable the hatchery to build up to full capacity before all grandparent flocks are in production, hatching eggs will be imported for the initial period from other Cobb locations worldwide previously certified by the Russian veterinary authorities.

Sam Lipman, general manager of the Broiler Budeshego company, says the Cobb Avian 48 is ideally suited to the Russian market based on whole birds and bone-in chicken.

“In a country where there is a shortage of hatching eggs, customers are looking for a breed that combines breeder performance with the ability to match the demand for broilers with liveweight from 1.7 to 2.5 kg,” says Mr Lipman. “The Cobb Avian 48 fits the bill admirably and will provide customers with the opportunity for the highest economic returns.”

Heading the sales operation from a Moscow office is Irina Likhacheva, director of sales and marketing. Broiler Budeshego recognises, too, the importance of expert technical support and has already appointed Galina Bukrinova to help customers take advantage of the latest technology and management practices.