Five new steel-framed poultry buildings have replaced older timber sheds at Potton Farm
Pilgrim’s Europe has completed a £6 million-plus overhaul of its Potton Farm in Cambridgeshire, replacing older poultry sheds with five larger buildings and increasing the site’s production capacity.
The redevelopment represents a major investment in the food company’s UK poultry operations and has substantially changed the layout and facilities at the farm.
Existing timber-framed poultry sheds have been replaced by larger steel-framed, clear-span buildings.
Pilgrim’s Europe said the new sheds have enabled it to increase capacity while making more effective use of the farm’s existing footprint.
The company has not disclosed the percentage increase in capacity or the number of additional birds the redeveloped site will accommodate.
New ventilation and misting systems have also been installed, together with updated feeding technology.
The systems are designed to give farm teams greater control over conditions inside the poultry buildings, including the environment in which birds are housed.
Pilgrim’s Europe said the equipment would support bird welfare and farm performance.
Changes have also been made to the wider site, with the layout redesigned to improve access and movement around the farm.
New facilities have been provided for staff as part of the redevelopment, while the company says the revised layout should help improve operational efficiency.
Potton Farm forms part of Pilgrim’s Europe’s poultry supply chain, producing chicken for customers in the UK as well as export markets.
Aaron McKenna, Head of Broiler Operations UK at Pilgrim’s Europe, said: “Potton Farm is an important part of our poultry operations, and this investment represents a significant commitment to the long-term future of the site and to poultry production in the region.”
He said the redevelopment would give employees modern facilities and support the farm’s operations in the years ahead.
McKenna added that the upgraded site would enable the company to continue “delivering high standards of bird welfare, operating as efficiently as possible and providing the best service to our customers”.
The investment comes as Pilgrim’s Europe continues to put money into its poultry farming and production operations, with modern housing and technology playing an increasing role in controlling conditions and improving efficiency across the sector.
The ÂŁ6m-plus project leaves Potton Farm with five new poultry buildings and increased capacity on the existing site, while retaining its role supplying both domestic and export customers.