Industry professionals gathered in Nashville, Tenn., for the 2025 USPOULTRY Hatchery-Breeder Clinic, where leading experts shared targeted strategies to optimize hatchery and breeder performance. The two-day event featured sessions on breeder nutrition, holding and transportation challenges, incubation management, chick quality, fertility challenges and the growing importance of automation and technology in streamlining operations.

As part of his presentation on “Feeding Today’s Pullets for Overall Performance,” Dr. Dave Burnham, nutritionist at House of Raeford, discussed the need for consistent, high-quality feed formulations to maintain uniformity, proper weight and reproductive output. He also addressed the challenges of labor shortages and urged the industry to prioritize feed strategies that promote uniformity and development.

Eddy Van Lierde, global head of incubation services at Aviagen Inc., outlined best practices for incubating today’s embryos amid declining hatchability. He noted that poor fertility in late-stage poultry production is the primary contributor; and while the embryo itself hasn’t changed, the environment around it has -- older equipment, fewer staff and limited data tracking. Van Lierde encouraged hatcheries to embrace automation, artificial intelligence and data-driven systems to enhance efficiency, reduce errors and unlock the full genetic potential of broiler lines.

In his presentation on “Improving Hatchability from Transfer to Pull,” Joshua Deines, technical service device lead at Zoetis, identified transfer cracks -- caused during candling, vaccination and egg movement -- as a major risk to chick quality. He stressed the need for consistent equipment maintenance, staff training and accurate assessment methods to reduce egg damage. He also highlighted the importance of clean, crack-free baskets and proper monitoring of temperature and hatch conditions.

Ben Green, director of hatcheries and transportation at Cobb-Vantress, offered guidance on chick holding and transportation. He detailed various vaccination techniques and stressed the importance of proper airflow and fan placement to dry chicks efficiently and maintain comfort. Green also covered the use of temperature loggers, sensor placement and preventative maintenance for transport vehicles.

The 2025 Hatchery-Breeder Clinic made clear that managing today’s hatchery and breeder challenges requires a return to fundamentals, paired with an openness to innovation. From refining nutrition and reproductive management to adopting smarter technology, experts emphasized that success hinges on precision, consistency and commitment to continuous improvement.