With over 20 years' experience in the farming of pheasants and partridges in a joint venture with his brother, Emmanuel Massot decided on 1 January 2017 to set up on his own with a farm of 17,000 pheasants and 8,000 partridges. However, this production was declining and the farmer had to quickly find a way to diversify in order to ensure the long-term survival of his business. He chose pullet breeding as an alternative.
Various possibilities were open to him. "Patrick Chabrol, my veterinary adviser, alerted me to the risks of avian influenza which particularly affect pheasant farms and the need not to have all one's eggs in the same basket, so to speak! Very involved in laying hen and pullet farms, and with the announced end of code 3 eggs, he suggested that I participate in the development of alternative productions and thus get on the right train!
In June 2018, a meeting with Jérémy Coltier from Envie d'œufs Sud-Est finalised a pullet breeding project, more technical than that of laying hens, corresponding to my professional aspirations," says Emmanuel Massot, a breeder in Sainte-Croix-en-Bresse (71).
While visiting farms, the breeder fell 'under the spell' of the Vencomatic Bolegg Starter aviary proposed by the Mef, exclusive representative since 2019 of the Vencomatic Group company in the Grand-Est part of France. The building (C-lines shell), with natural light, of 1,524m² (99 m x 15.40 m) is dynamically ventilated (with extraction in chimneys and gable) with a capacity of 60,000 pullets. It has three aviary lines, including drinking, feeding and perching.
All levels are equipped with manure belts and air ducts. These help to dry the droppings, provide fresh air to the birds and create a good climate in the house. The winching of the integrated platforms allows the drinking and feeding lines to be moved further and further away as the birds grow. This encourages them to jump to different levels in the system.
Pipettes with automatic rinsing (lubing) allow the chicks to have fresher water. "In the feed chain, two metal rods have been inserted at the lowest level to prevent the chicks from getting stuck in the chain or being dragged along. The pullets have 100% access to the feed with this system," says Johannes Oesterdiekhoff, Vencomatic Group.
The barn is also equipped with enclosures that ensure a better distribution of the birds in the building. "The pullets are accustomed to the different noises, so they are less sensitive and much less stressed," adds Pascal Granseigne, Sales Manager, Mef
Source: Filieres Avicoles