“This provided a unique opportunity to get together and benefit from technical and practical training from experts in their field,” said Simon Wilde, General Manager, “From the feedback we realise how valuable the programme of talks, practical workshops and site visits was to all the delegates.”

Technical presentations were given by Cobb poultry specialists Pieter Oosthuysen and Dr Andre Derkx, and Richard Scorgie from Hybrid Poultry Farms. Pieter Oosthuysen emphasised the importance of good rearing programmes for high egg production and covered male management and a new approach to male feeding for optimal reproduction. Dr Derkx shared his knowledge on vaccination, health monitoring and biosecurity, while Richard Scorgie demonstrated chick grading and embryo diagnosis.

On the final day the delegates were divided into three groups for hands-on learning – at Sunset Breeder Farm they were shown the art of male breast condition and scoring, at Broken Hill grandparent hatchery they learned about the new hatchery and at the Chamba Laboratory they carried out post mortems and reviewed their own vaccination and monitoring programmes.

“The positive response I have had from all the participants has been overwhelming, said Richard Keeley, Managing Director, Hybrid Poultry Farms. It is clear that we have a great deal to do and the thirst for knowledge is amazing. We look forward to continuing the programme with Cobb, as I am certain it will add tremendous value to our business going forward.”

Dr Lazaro Kapella, a veterinarian from Interchick/Tanbreed said: “It was such a wonderful time for me and the whole team. Now it’s our turn to implement the vast knowledge we have gained for the better performance of our operation in Tanzania”.

Ian Baxter, production coordinator from Tanzania, commented: “Congratulations on a successful and a memorable conference. You have set a new standard!! We now have a far better understanding of what is required to produce 140 chicks per hen housed.”

Seif Musyoki, hatchery manager from Tanzania, added: “My colleagues and I in the three sister companies (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania) learned a great deal during the training and we’ve developed completely different paradigm shift on how we’ll manage our breeder farms in the future.”