Transformation & Vertical Integration

Breeding method advancement

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; creation of strains with desirable traits (e.g. fast growth rates, high egg production, and improved feed efficiency)

Hatchery changes

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; switch from natural brooding to the use of high-capacity incubators and hatchers reduced hatcheries and increased hatchling numbers

Increased egg production

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; increase of eggs laid per hen (genetics); goes along with the increased production value of eggs and increased demand for eggs due to consumption demand

Structural changes

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; changes in production follows the switch from backyard-flocks (meat by-product of egg industry) to a more concentrated, commercialized industry that requires less land; switch to industrialized processing facilities with large scale mechanical equipment and sanitation

Increased turkey production

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; turkey production rose from a small sideline enterprise to a large concentrated industry

Changes in industry size

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; decrease of poultry farms to major production companies and increase in birds produced per farm

Ownership and organization changes

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; poultry operations became vertically integrated as they increase size and efficiency; one company controls most or all stages of production

Increased feed efficiency

A change that led to the development of the poultry industry; continually decreasing feed requirements in production increase profit

Vertical integration

When variouys stages of poultry production are interlinked and ran by the same company; maximum product/efficiency control

Primary breeders

Mechanism of processing in large companies; breeders that develop and reproduce strains of chicken that meet the requirements of chicken production/processing companioes; breeder chicks sold to intergated chicken farms

Feed mill

Mechanism of processing in large companies; convert raw materials into finished feed according to nutritionalists

Breeders (broilers or layers)

Mechanism of processing in large companies; raise breeder chicks into adulthood under tight biosecurity to produce fertile hatching eggs; breeder parents become raised for market

Hatchery

Mechanism of processing in large companies; specialized facility for hatching fertile eggs from breeder farms; placed in mechanized incubators (in hatching trays) with necessary temperature and humidity for incubation

Growout farms

Mechanism of processing in large companies; newly hatched chick farms where independent farmers raise them to market weight under contract of a large company; company provides supplies (chicks, feed, and any necessary medical attention) and farmer provides the space (water, shedding, and electricity); 6-7 weeks of growth until processing

Processing plants

Mechanism of processing in large companies; after the harvest of birds by humane standards and health inspection by USDA, the carcasses are chilled and packaged or partitioned for sale

Further processing

Mechanism of processing in large companies; specialized operations or plants that perform further processing after the plants (cooking, breading, or marinating)

Transportation and marketing

Mechanism of processing in large companies; poultry products are transported in refridgerated trucks from processing and further processing plants to grocery stores, restaurants,etc.

Benefits of vertical integration

Greater control over every aspect of production for ensured quality (meeting consumer wants/needs) and more cost effective overall production process (more affordable for consumers)