ABOUT TOM WARREN
SPECIALIST POULTRY CONSULTANT
Having entered the broiler chicken business in 1972, I have subsequently spent more than 40 years in this industry in South Africa, Central Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of playing a key role in the establishment, development and further management of both new and established enterprises. In most cases these Companies are fully integrated, operating in all five key disciplines that comprise the broiler chicken business.
ABOUT THE BROILER INDUSTRY
To those who are not familiar with the Broiler Industry, these five different and distinct disciplines include the following:
Broiler Parent Rearing: Male and female parent stock chicks are reared to sexual maturity and ready for transfer to the egg production farm at 20 weeks. We rear to achieve a mating ratio 10 breeding females to 1 breeding male.
Broiler Breeding Farm: The mature parent stock are transferred from Rearing to the breeding farm where they commence fertile egg production. Fertility is created by natural mating. These hatching eggs are transported to the hatchery.
Hatchery: Fertile eggs take 21 days to hatch in the incubators. The hatchery is responsible to ascertain the fertility of the eggs and communicate this critical information back to the breeding farm. Soon after the chicks hatch, they are sent to the broiler growing farms.
Broiler Growing Farm: One-day-old broiler chicks arrive from the hatchery and are placed in special pre-warmed hi-tech poultry housing. Broilers are grown to 32 - 35 days and then sent to the abattoir for slaughter and further processing.
Abattoir & Processing Plant: Birds are slaughtered and then further processed into a range of chicken products for distribution to the retail and wholesale markets. Both fresh and frozen chicken products are produced in the Processing Plant depending on market requirements.
By-products: By-products of significant value are produced from the above operations which include, manure, mortality, reject eggs, infertile eggs, blood, feathers, viscera, etc. Spent parent stock from the breeding farm, commonly known as ‘Cornish hens’, are usually sold live at 64 weeks of age, and are not to be confused with broilers.
HELPING CLIENTS REALISE THEIR TARGETS
I have been privileged to contribute the following services to both Employers and clients alike:
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The ability to understand and accept overall accountability for the Company’s vision, incorporating the transition from a relatively average performance to being a key role player in the marketplace.
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Implementation of best practice policies and Company Procedures.
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Strong leadership, attention to detail and the application of sound technical and organizational management protocols.
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The development of excellent management skills has been achieved through hands-on training and leadership from the front.
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Good motivational skills.
