The refurbished hatchery will be equipped with 27 technologically advanced SmartPro NF setters, accompanying hatchers and supporting ventilation, for a weekly setting capacity of approximately 1.1 million eggs.
Miller Poultry has been family-owned since 1942 and specialises in antibiotic-free, all vegetable-fed poultry raised on small Amish family farms.
Owner Galen Miller said: “We are one of the original users of NatureForm single-stage equipment. It has been great to watch them grow and advance over the years and we are happy to move forward together with them in this new phase of our operations.”
SmartPro NF single-stage incubation technology allows for precise, zonal temperature control, which delivers a higher hatch of fertiles and superior chick uniformity. Miller’s entire incubation and hatching process will be integrated with the SmartCenterPro hatchery management system.
Vice-president live operations Stephen Shepard added: “It is the right time to significantly upgrade our hatchery and go 100% single stage. When we analysed the health, robustness and uniformity of the day-old chicks produced by our current SmartPro NF single-stage equipment, we were left in no doubt this was the best route to continue innovating incubation in our company.
“We have been extremely pleased with our relationship with NatureForm, so they were the natural choice to support our plans.”
Jack Hubbell, vice-president of sales for NatureForm, said: “We are excited about the opportunity to grow with Miller Poultry. We have known them for many years and it is really special to be a chosen supplier for such a quality-conscious company.”