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Mechanical nests are now the industry standard for producers of broiler hatching eggs.  VAL-CO has developed and refined systems incorporating advanced U.S. and EU technology.  Feedback from successful breeder managers is incorporated in the VAL-CO Comfort Nest™.  This system provides hens with a laying environment contributing to clean shells.  Acceptance of the nest system by flocks reduces floor eggs, maximizing income for the contractor and optimizing settable eggs, hatch and hence profit for integrators. 

The unique feature of the Comfort Nest™ is the 19-inch wide opening that attracts hens and provides additional space for high-yield broiler strains.

Features of the Comfort Nest™ installation include:-

• Two five-inch side belts with either polypropylene or fiber according to customer preference. 
• Lids are hinged for inspection and cleaning.
• Automatic nest-closing operated by a winch and cables. This allows programmed closure before ‘lights-out’ and opening before the first morning feed
• Ventilated partitions contributing to comfort in hot weather.
• Optional PVC pipe kit to prevent expulsion of eggs when multiple hens pile into a nest.
• Nest bottoms are fabricated from galvanized wire that provides long life and the ability to support multiple hens.
• Available with NXT style turf nest pads.
• The Comfort Nest™ system is fabricated from galvanized metal and ammonia-resistant plastic components to ensure a prolonged operational life.
• Ease of access for decontamination and maintenance.

In comparing the cost of a conventional nest installation with the Comfort Nest™ system it is calculated that the differential in capital cost is approximately $5,000 for a house holding 11,500 hens. Field data shows between 5 and 10 additional hatching eggs harvested per hen-housed over a laying cycle through 64 weeks of age. The benefit is due to a reduction in floor eggs that invariably have soiled shells and undergo shell damage.

Assuming a conservative five additional eggs per hen housed, the contractor would earn an incremental $2,875 per cycle extending over 52 weeks (including pre-lay and clean-out), assuming a payment of $0.60 per dozen. In addition, the labor required to gather and attempt to dry-clean eggs is mostly eliminated with the Comfort Nest® system. The additional $5,000 capital cost represents an annual fixed cost of $1,000 comprising interest at 5 percent per annum and depreciation at 15 percent per annum. Selection of the Comfort Nest™ would provide the contractor with a 20 month pay-back period on a cash-flow basis. Applying a discount factor of 5 percent to the net annual benefit of $1,875 per cycle the 10-year net present value of the initial incremental $5,000 investment is $13,833. This calculation assumes stable contractor payment. With inevitable inflation the differential favoring the more productive Comfort Nest® will increase proportionally to income.

From the perspective of the integrator, a contractor with a flock of 11,500 hens producing an incremental five hatching eggs per hen housed would place an additional 46,000 broiler chicks per cycle assuming 80 percent average hatch. The benefit would accrue in the incremental margin from RTC product that would depend on live weight of broilers harvested, product range and price structure. 

Feedback from the Field

A broiler breeder manager for a leading integrator provided feedback on the operation of the VAL-CO Comfort Nest®: -

• Birds are receptive to the Comfort Nest that allows more than one bird to occupy a single nest.
• We have seen a sharp reduction in the number of floor eggs in a typical 500-foot house with 12,000 hens.  We might see 30 floor eggs with a Comfort Nest installation compared to as many as 130 with standard side-belt nests.
• We rarely have issues with operation since the nest installation is reliable. Contractors report consistent daily operation over three flocks.
• Contractors have no complaints as compared to other nest systems with installation and labor is in line with other brands.
• VAL-CO provides assistance and advice to fix any issues that arise.