Poultry farming - the hatchery

5 1/2 million chicks can be hatched each week at the Hatchery. On delivery, the eggs are moved into the hatchery egg room where they are stored at 18°C. The eggs are loaded into the setters where the chick inside the egg will be able to grow. The eggs are held at 37.5°C and regularly turned. The temperature around the eggs is closely monitored by computers. Eggs are removed from the setters 18 days later and transferred to the hatching trays. The hatching trays are put into an area called the hatchers for three days. After 21 days the chicks hatch out of their shells. The chicks are sorted by hand into different sizes and they are checked to ensure they are healthy. They are counted into chick boxes which are then taken through a spray cabinet where they are sprayed with medicine to protect the chicks from diseases. The chicks are then transported to farms where they will continue to grow.