At a Glance
- Farm name: Pleasant Oak Farm & Ranch Ltd.
- Sector: Broilers (formerly PMU horse operation)
- Location: Near Lundar, Man. (Interlake region)
- Established: 2005 (broiler operation)
- Farm size: ~42,000 kg quota; two barns
- Family involvement: Operated by Stuart and Theresa Nikkel and family
- Why I love poultry: “It’s easier on the body, highly automated, and lets us keep farming on our land – I’m grateful every day.”
At one point, it was horses. Dozens of them. A full barn. A young family. And a business that stretched back nearly four decades.
Stuart Nikkel still remembers helping build that first barn near Lundar, Man. He was just four years old at the time, tagging along as his family began their foray into the PMU industry, which involved collecting urine from pregnant mares to manufacture estrogen-based pharmaceuticals. “It was part of my life from the beginning,” Nikkel says. “We had horses in the barn every winter from October to March.”
For 39 years, the Nikkel family ran that business. Then, in April 2005, everything changed. Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that oversaw the program, abruptly downsized its Western Canada operations. Just two weeks after Stuart and his wife Theresa welcomed their sixth child, the news landed. “It was devastating,” he says. “We had just built a brand-new barn four years earlier. We had no idea what we were going to do.”
From horses to chickens
Rather than let the facility sit empty, the family began exploring other livestock options. They visited dairy operations and weighed their choices carefully. “We didn’t want to see that barn go unused,” Nikkel says. “Eventually, we decided that the broiler industry was the best fit for our mixed farm.”
By summer’s end, the family secured quota through Manitoba’s retirement exchange. “We were a new entrant, which meant we had to bid on at least 30,000 kilograms,” he explains. “We won the bid in late July, and by October 6, we had our first flock in.”
It was a rapid turnaround – gutting horse stalls, installing fans, feed and water lines, and adding attic insulation. The barn already had excellent airflow, with cathedral ceilings and a 72-foot-wide frame. “I like to joke it’s the nicest chicken barn in Clarkleigh,” Nikkel says. “There’s only one, but still.”
Learning on the fly
The transition came with a steep learning curve. “Ventilation was a big one – adapting to seasonal changes was stressful,” he says. “After our first year, I remember this huge sigh of relief. I thought, okay, we can do this.”
Looking back, Nikkel is grateful for the shift. “It’s a lot easier on my body,” he says. “Horses were demanding. Cleaning, bedding, leading them in and out – it was constant, physical work. Broilers are highly automated. The birds require more technical attention, especially with things like heat stress, but it’s not as physically exhausting.”
Pleasant Oak Farm now runs two barns, with one recently expanded by 6,100 square feet. Their current quota sits at around 42,000 kilograms – a gradual increase from their initial allotment. “We’ve never bought more,” he says. “That growth came from within the system.”
Giving back
Nikkel’s passion for farming extends beyond his own operation. He’s deeply involved in industry advocacy and volunteer work. For over 15 years, he’s served on the board of Manitoba Chicken Producers (MCP), where he currently represents the province at the national level through Chicken Farmers of Canada.
As part of his CFC role, Nikkel participates in bi-monthly allocation meetings in Ottawa and contributes to the Governance and Allocation Policy & Procedures committees. “Allocation is complex,” he explains. “You’re balancing the needs of consumers, producers, processors, and further processors. It’s about reading trends – trying to see the future, even though you can’t.”
He’s also active in community events, regularly helping with the MCP live bird display at local fairs and the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon. He volunteers with local fundraising events, including a large lobster dinner that raises money for local recreation facilities.
One initiative particularly close to his heart is “Caring for Communities,” where Manitoba chicken producers donate 1,000 birds weekly to Harvest Manitoba. “We’re one of the farms that donate from every flock,” Nikkel says. “The processors process and deliver the birds for free. It’s a huge team effort, and it means a lot.”
Staying grounded
Beyond chickens, the Nikkels continue to run a mixed farming operation that includes a cow-calf herd and various crops like silage corn, oats, and the occasional wheat or soybean rotation. They also keep a small group of registered Percheron horses – a nod to the farm’s earlier chapter.
While the original barn was repurposed for chickens, its equine heritage remains part of the family’s story. “We still have a few horses, but they’re not a big part of the operation anymore,” he says.
Nikkel admits succession is on his mind. With seven children, only one still at home, the future of the farm is a work in progress. “Eventually we’ll need to have those tough conversations,” he says. “Not all of them will want to farm, but I hope one or two will carry it forward.”
Life beyond the barn
In the rare moments away from the farm, Nikkel enjoys time with his family – especially at the lake. “We have a boat, and we try to get out a few times every summer,” he says. “The kids like wakeboarding and kneeboarding. I mostly just drive the boat now.”
For someone who faced the loss of a livelihood nearly two decades ago, Nikkel now feels at peace with the path his farm has taken. “We didn’t have to leave the farm,” he says. “Most PMU producers went out completely. We were able to pivot, to keep going, and find something that fits who we are.”
That sense of adaptability, commitment, and deep-rooted connection to the land is what continues to define Pleasant Oak Farm today – horses or not.
