Moy Park has invested £180,000 in four revolutionary incubators at its hatchery in Craigavon, Northern Ireland.

The new incubators, the company said, have increased capacity at the parent stock hatchery by 16% and also give Moy Park greater control over temperature, humidity and ventilation.

As well as improving hatchability, the state-of-the-art technology enhances the welfare of the chicks.

Moy Park says it will do this by monitoring and supplying precise levels of fresh air and oxygen for eggs and chicks at all times during incubation.

The incubators also consume 20% less energy than previous machines, it says.

Speaking about the new incubators, Stephen Bamford, Grandparent Manager, Moy Park, said that the results it has witnessed so far from the new system have been fantastic.

The sophisticated technology continually monitors the temperature of the eggs and adapts to fluctuations to ensure chicks are of a consistent, high quality.

“Moy Park is committed to delivering industry leading operating processes and facilities, and this is another example of our commitment to that goal,” he said.

Moy Park recently announced it has increased its output to 5m chickens per week for the first time in the company’s 72-year history.

This, it says, represents an increase of 60% in the past six years; growing from approximately 3.1m birds per week in four years ago in 2009.