The award is based on results from more than 40 million Cobb500 parent stock placed in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and completing production in 2013.

The winning flock of almost 34,000 females, supplying the P.D. Hook hatchery at Dalton, achieved 144.87 chicks per breeder to 60 weeks of age, with a cumulative hatchability of 86.27 per cent.

Awards were presented by Roy Mutimer, general manager of the Cobb Europe region, to Mark Robson and his poultry manager, Ian Bonney, who also received an iPad. James Hook, chairman of the PD Hook Group, received the company award along with Andrew Gibson and Charlie McManus. Dalton hatchery manager, Calvin Carpenter was unable to attend but is also receiving an award.

The rearing farm manager Mick Ormerod, responsible for PD Hook’s Gallows Green and Topcliffe rearing farms, also received an award and an iPad.

Antony Taylor, UK account manager, commented: “The award reflects the outstanding attention to detail in the management from rearing through to laying and hatching. We are seeing more consistently high performance among UK flocks with PD Hook having seven exceeding 140 chicks per breeder in 2013.”

Pictured left to right: Andrew Gibson (PD Hook), Roy Mutimer (Cobb Europe), Mark Robson (owner of Pressen Hill Farm; PD Hook flock farmer), Bill Dent (PD Hook), Mick Ormerod (Gallows Green and Topcliffe Farm, PD Hook), Ian Bonney (Pressen Hill Farm), Charlie McManus (PD Hook) and James Hook (chairman, PD Hook Group)