Fifty Thousand Chooks

Chooks to take up new home

By Latrobe City Council - 1st July 2002 - Back to News

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Fifty thousand laying hens that will produce almost forty-seven thousand eggs daily, for most of the year, have moved into new premises at one of Victoria’s largest egg producers, Morwell based Lyndale Poultry Farms.

The new facility showcases state-of-the-art egg technology from Italy that houses the birds in precise temperatures and conditions incorporating world’s best practice in poultry housing standards. This new project is the culmination of many years of forward planning and a great deal of investment by company directors, Gil and Laurie Powter and farm manager, Glenn Simonis.

Laurie Powter explained the poultry farm now utilised three large laying sheds, using technology including video surveillance. "This ensures that our production costs are competitive whilst guaranteeing a constant supply of eggs for our customers," Laurie Powter said.

According to Gil Powter, the recent addition to the farm now places Lyndale as one of the largest egg producers in the country. "Lyndale has been a major player for many years, being the largest privately owned egg supplier to Farm Pride Foods in Melbourne. Customers are based throughout metropolitan Melbourne and greater Gippsland," Gil Powter explained.

Gil and Laurie have expanded the farm well beyond that established by their parents, Linda and Ern Powter over 50 years ago. The farm is a well-known landmark in Morwell and originally supplied poultry, some eggs and layers to customers in the town and immediate areas.

Lyndale’s overall egg production statistics are huge – approximately 165,000 laying birds producing around 150,000 eggs per week in addition to a rearing stock of approximately 45,000 pullets. The farm uses in excess of 150 tonnes of poultry feed weekly.

Additionally, over 10 tonnes of egg pulp is produced each week and sold into the catering and baking market.

These days, Gil, Laurie, Glenn and their twelve employees manage a regular, year-round routine monitoring the health and welfare of the birds and preparing eggs for distribution.

In congratulating Lyndale Poultry on their latest achievement, Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins pointed to its strategic significance for Latrobe City. "We now have one of Victoria’s largest, most progressive egg producers. The Powter family is one of our quiet achievers yet is highly respected within their chosen industry," Cr Jenkins said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com