FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

CPF pilots Thailand’s new standard on cage-free farming practices

CPF pilots Thailand’s new standard on cage-free farming practices

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) is supporting Thailand’s planned new standard on cage-free farming practices through a pilot project at Wang Somboon farm that will share knowledge with farmers on the humane raising of laying hens.

CPF pilots Thailand’s new standard on cage-free farming practices

Farming is integral to the operations of CPF, which focuses on animal welfare to deliver consumers safe food and address an increasing global demand for animal welfare products, said Somkid Wannalukkhee, CPF’s senior vice president for egg business.

Wang Somboon farm in central Thailand’s Saraburi province was turned into a pilot cage-free farm in 2018, with a plan to develop corporate practices that will be replicated at other farms. CPF has exchanged views with Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development, which is drafting a new standard so that Thai farmers can satisfy consumer demand.

“Once the cage-free standard is officially promulgated, Thailand’s egg products will enjoy greater trade and marketing opportunities, particularly when it concerns premium restaurants and leading modern trade channels thanks to their policy and also increasing demand for cage-free eggs as well as their concrete push for animal welfare products. This will enhance laying-hen raisers’ competitiveness,” Somkid said.

CPF pilots Thailand’s new standard on cage-free farming practices

CPF has applied the European cage-free standard at Wang Somboon farm. The closed chicken house has a low stocking density of seven laying hens per square metre compared with general standard of a maximum nine hens per square metre. An enriched environment also allows chickens to express their behaviour freely. They can rest on perches. The flooring supports foraging and self-cleaning. The house is equipped with an egg-laying spot as well as an automatic lighting, temperature and air ventilation control system. Chickens are adequately fed. Living in comfortable environment, laying hens are happy and enjoy good health, making antibiotics unnecessary throughout their life.

The cage-free farm also employs a computerised production system: eggs are automatically transferred from the laying spot to the stock room while the farm’s sanitary and biosafety system is controlled in accordance with the Biosecurity Hi-tech Farming guidelines. Disease carriers like rats, lizards and insects are kept out of the farm, while environmental contamination is prevented. As such, CPF’s cage-free eggs have won world-class recognition.

Aside, CPF’s F100 egg-laying hens are selected for the farm. A wholegrain feed meal was developed to promote health and natural growth. Cage-free eggs are thus fresher than the eggs from other farms. They do not give off foul odour, while the egg yolks are of fresh orange colour. The eggs thus contain high quality and nutritious values, for consumers' good health.

Wang Somboon farm is not only a pilot project for CPF’s cage-free farming, but also a learning centre where farmers can study and exchange experiences to improve cage-free farming practices and sustainably add value to Thailand’s agricultural products.

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