The role hatcheries play in modern poultry production is significant, laying the foundation for flock health and business performance. As hatcheries utilize more automation and technologically advanced equipment, the role people play in driving performance can be overlooked. Hatchery experts suggest the importance of skilled personnel and operational discipline is only growing stronger.
“Proficient staff are vital to all hatchery operations because every detail can directly impact hatchability and chick quality,” said Ekapol (Duke) Pruengpanyanont, Cluster BioDevice Support Specialist – APAC for Zoetis.
The reality is becoming more important as hatchery managers face growing pressure to improve consistency, maximize flock performance, and operate efficiently amid ongoing labor and disease pressure.
Technology depends on human execution
While modern hatcheries rely on automation and advanced vaccine delivery systems, experts caution that technology alone does not guarantee results.
“When we talk about our in ovo vaccination device, it performs critical vaccination functions in the hatchery,” said Dr. Nicky Love, global hatchery veterinary and technical services manager at Zoetis. “However, things can go very wrong if everything around the in ovo process is not taken care of and that requires people.”
Love said issues such as hygiene lapses, inconsistent vaccine handling or overlooked daily maintenance needs can quickly undermine otherwise reliable systems. Trained staff who monitor check steps surrounding in ovo vaccination can have a tremendous impact.
“You can have the best equipment in the world, but if seemingly small things wrong, the outcome is not great,” she said.
This operational reality is reshaping how hatcheries approach workforce development. Rather than reducing labor demands, technology is changing the type of expertise hatcheries require. Process oversight and continuous training are becoming more important for hatchery personnel at every level.
Why daily habits matter
Hatchery teams operate in environments where small inconsistencies can create large downstream consequences.
From visiting hatcheries around the world, both Love and Pruengpanyanont summarize what successful hatcheries are focused on:
- Biosecurity and hygiene
- Quality control measures
- Cross training and retraining
- Cultures where employees are encouraged to identify areas for improvement
Love said one of the biggest risks hatcheries face is the gradual normalization of shortcuts.
“We do things so often day in and day out that we start to find shortcuts,” she explained. “And then when that person trains the next person, they train all those shortcuts.”
Small deviations can often have an outsized impact on any number of factors, including vaccine efficacy. In the controlled environment of the hatchery, staff have the unique opportunity to improve consistency and early flock protection but only when operational execution remains strong.
The best hatcheries build a culture of improving
Some of the world’s most successful hatcheries are not necessarily the most technologically advanced. Instead, high-performing operations share common culture
characteristics, including paying attention to details, being open to feedback, and providing continuous learning for teams.
Pruengpanyanont said he has visited hatcheries in regions with limited access to advanced technology that still consistently produce strong chick quality because they execute the fundamentals exceptionally well. These hatchery leaders are also open to specialized knowledge in areas such as embryology and immunology that Zoetis can provide to help teams understand the “why” behind everything they do.
“We have local teams who work with veterinarians and hatchery managers every day to look holistically at hatchery operations, build on what they are doing well and address challenges,” he said, encouraging decision makers “to not underestimate the value an outside partner can bring to provide objective insights and tailored services that may be needed.”
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However, in many regions of the world, finding and retaining skilled labor is a challenge. This is where external expertise can play an even bigger role. Beyond being a biodevice and vaccine provider, Zoetis Hatchery Health Team members work alongside hatchery personnel to reinforce best practices, identify opportunities for improvement and help bridge knowledge gaps that may emerge as turnover occurs.
The Zoetis team’s support extends beyond local field personnel to include specialists in embryology, immunology, equipment maintenance, flock management, research and development, creating access to a breadth of expertise that many hatcheries would find difficult to maintain internally.
“The goal is not simply to solve problems when they occur, but to proactively transfer knowledge and build confidence in day-to-day hatchery decision making,” said Pruengpanyanont. This model is about empowering hatcheries by drawing on our experience collected from hatcheries all over the world, he added.
Looking ahead, the important role that hatchery operations play in flock health suggests that human expertise will remain essential to making systems work effectively. Even the most advanced hatchery technologies still depend on people to deliver results
