Big Dutchman Customer Aces SQF Audit for Egg Production
US - The new School Site Farm Packing Plant dedicated to specialty eggs recently passed the Safe Quality Foods (SQF) audit with flying colours.The operation based in Nesho, Missouri, which belongs to Opal Foods, scored an amazing 100 per cent in this US-wide, major audit.
SQF certification assures buyers and customers that food has been produced, processed and handled according to the highest standard.
The packing plant was erected to receive eggs from a cage-free complex equipped with aviary systems by the German poultry equipment supplier, Big Dutchman.
Natura 60: Since cage-free birds require more labor and management time than cage-housed birds, choosing Natura 60 is the perfect solution: The design concept is based on the idea of reducing the management effort while at the same time increasing reliable and efficient egg production. This is, amongst others, ensured by the fact that every second aisle is a real inspection aisle as it remains free of hens, litter, manure and other obstacles such as doors or cross partitions.
Natura Primus: Prior to moving into Natura 60, the hens spend the first weeks of their life in a Natura Primus system. The rearing aviary is designed for pullets to get used to their subsequent life in egg production aviaries.They are moved into these “training units” as day-old chicks and leave them in week 16. By that time they have learned how to jump, fly and move around in the entire house and, once settled in the layer aviaries, are immediately comfortable using the different areas for feeding, scratching and resting.