Barn Spotlight: Royal Columbian Poultry

Location: Aldergrove, B.C.

Sector: Broiler breeders

The business
Royal Columbian Poultry, owned and operated by the Cross family, has been in the hatching egg business for 30 years. The farmers started out with 6,000 layers a year and they now produce 55,000 annually as well as their own pullets and males. The business includes 14 barns across two sites.

The need
Over the years, with changes in bird genetics, barns and equipment, the Cross family has learned the importance of making smart purchasing decisions. “Our knowledge and experience are our most vital assets – superior equipment is next,” Allan Cross says. With that mindset, the family recently invested in modernizing their many barns, retrofitting them with new nests, ventilation and controllers. 

The barn
Working with AgPro West Supply Ltd., the producers had new Big Dutchman nests installed. They liked their wide perforated belt, which allows for a bigger collection window and less egg movement. “This results in fewer dirty or damaged eggs and more shippable product,” Cross says. They also went with Big Dutchman for new feeders, which feature fit and finish details that Cross says enable them to feed more birds more comfortably. Then, they completely overhauled their ventilation equipment, installing new fans, inlets, winches and computers all from SKOV. “They integrate so efficiently that we could justify a complete ventilation equipment changeout,” Cross says. 

The producers had new Big Dutchman nests installed because of their wide perforated belt. Photo Credit: AgPro West Supply Ltd.

They installed a DOL 99 feed weigher, which connects to their production controller.

They installed new Big Dutchman feeders, which feature fit and finish details that Cross says enable them to feed more birds more comfortably.

Barn Spotlight highlights new and renovated barns and hatcheries. Do you know of a good candidate to be featured? Let us know at poultry@annexweb.com.