09 May Introducing Two Of Our Rearing Farm Managers

Meet two of our Rearing Farm Managers. Ben Shand manages our rearing unit at Horsewold Farm. Daniel Chitauro manages our rearing unit at Barmby Moor Farm.

Posted at 14:55h in poultry by

Ben Shand

Ben Shand

With invaluable poultry experience to call on, Ben manages our Horsewold Farm rearing unit, at Middleton on the Wolds, in the Yorkshire Wolds.

He began his career on laying farms, becoming manager of two Wot an Egg farms, one in Watton, Yorkshire and another in Staffordshire. He then took on the role of Compliance Manager for the company before being appointed as an Area Manager with responsibility for three laying farms.

Key Responsibilities

As manager of a rearing unit, taking day old chicks to 16 weeks, his key responsibilities are ensuring the appropriate vaccination regime is implemented, careful observation of the flock’s progress, monitoring and adjusting feed and lighting regimes, to match the development needs of the birds.

Ben enjoys the independence of the job as well as the excellent support from the Wot a Pullet team. “Our mission is to give the birds the best possible start. Each flock is different, and the birds develop really quickly. It requires a keen eye for detail to ensure we deliver uniform pullets which are consistently above body weight.”

Daniel Chitauro

Daniel Chitauro

Now managing our rearing unit at Barmby Moor Farm, Daniel began his career as a vet in Zimbabwe, before moving to South Africa and then settling in the UK. It’s been quite a journey, but with a lifelong involvement in poultry he is well qualified to provide our producers with outstanding pullets.

Daniel Graduated in Veterinary Science in Zimbabwe in 1991. For his final year project, he chose to study backyard flocks. After collecting and testing blood samples he was able to profile common backyard diseases, and his project was published as a scientific paper in a specialist journal.

Daniel joined Country Bird Holdings, Africa’s leading fully integrated poultry producer, then moving to South Africa with CBH subsidiary, Ross Africa, in 2004. When his wife moved to England, Daniel stayed in South Africa until their son finished his education, graduating in Animal Science.

Finally, in August 2023 Daniel re-joined his wife in the UK and after seeing an advertisement for a Rearing Farm Manager, he joined Wot a Pullet.

With an obvious passion for poultry, Daniel enjoys his role in supporting the flocks as they develop quickly from tiny day-old chicks to fully feathered adults.

“I have previously worked as a vet on rearing farms, but now I am on the other side of the fence” he says “There is a difference between visiting flocks as a vet for a few hours, and being the full-time hands-on farm manager. Caring for the flock every day as means developing a wide range of skills!” 

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Novogen Brown

The NOVOgen BROWN is a brown bird with white under-feathers, which produces brown eggs.

 

It is recognised as being the most capable of adapting to your environment. Being calm in nature, it combines ease of management with performance.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 316
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 357
Average egg size to 72 weeks 65.8g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 66.1g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 19.9g
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.6kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 120g
Body weight at 18 weeks 1500g
Liveability:
Rearing
Laying period (72 wks.) 94.6%
Laying period (80 wks.) 93.8%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Novogen Brown Light

The NOVOgen BROWN LIGHT is a brown bird with white under-feathers, which produces brown eggs.

 

High production potential with excellent egg quality. Calm and easy to breed, the NOVOgen BROWN LIGHT is the bird you are looking for to optimise profits.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 319
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 361
Average egg size to 72 weeks 64.7g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 65.1g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 19.6g
Egg mass to 80 weeks 21.0kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 119g
Body weight at 18 weeks 1480g
Liveability:
Rearing
Laying period (72 wks.) 94.6%
Laying period (80 wks.) 93.8%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Novogen White

The NOVOgen WHITE has been selected to be capable of realising its production potential under the most varied of production conditions.

 

Easy to breed and not requiring any particular breeding techniques, you will be satisfied with the high production potential and excellent internal and external egg quality of the NOVOgen WHITE.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 323
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 366
Average egg size to 72 weeks 65.5g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 65.9g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.0kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.9kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 113g
Body weight at 18 weeks 1250g
Liveability:
Rearing
Laying period (72 wks.) 94.5%
Laying period (80 wks.) 93.7%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Novogen White Light

The NOVOgen WHITE LIGHT has been selected to be capable of realising its production potential under the most varied of production conditions.

 

Easy to breed and not requiring any particular breeding techniques, you will be satisfied with the high production potential and excellent internal and external egg quality of the NOVOgen WHITE LIGHT.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 326
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 371
Average egg size to 72 weeks 64.1g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 64.5g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 19.8kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.6kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 111g
Body weight at 18 weeks 1230g
Liveability:
Rearing
Laying period (72 wks.) 94.5%
Laying period (80 wks.) 93.7%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Warren

The Warren is the result of extensive consultation and focused research into the best solution for the rapidly expanding free range sector in the UK. Bred from proven Hendrix lines, it is set to become the champion of free range.

 

The Warren will be slightly larger framed with all the advantages of modern hybrid egg quality, productivity, and performance. Resilient and well behaved, no matter what it encounters, the Warren is ready for the rigours of the range.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 316
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 359
Average egg size to 72 weeks 64.8g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 65.0g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.1kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.9kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 129g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1452
Liveability:
Rearing
Laying period (72 wks.) 95.8%
Laying period (80 wks.) 95.2%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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H&N Brown

Genetics and research staff at H&N have worked for many years to produce a layer with an excellent performance.

 

This was achieved by a balanced selection procedure, taking many traits into account, such as egg production rate, liveability, feed efficiency and egg quality, which are all major factors in determining the profitability for an egg producer.

H&N Brown
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 368
Average egg size to 72 weeks 62.9g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 63.4g
Egg mass to 72 weeks
Egg mass to 80 weeks 23.3kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 113 – 118g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1596g
Liveability:
Rearing 96-98%
Laying period (72 wks.) 90-95%
Laying period (80 wks.) 90-95%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Hy-Line White W80

Robust, Prolific, Strong Performance in Alternative Systems, Long Single-Cycle Lay

 

The Hy-Line W-80 is a robust white egg layer for all housing systems and environments. This bird delivers prolific egg numbers, excellent egg shell strength, and strong performance under challenging environments and low-density feed rations.

 

 

The W-80 is adaptable to alternative production systems and remains calm for easy management. For markets requiring a larger egg size, the W-80 Plus gives producers the same great traits with an egg weight profile two grams heavier.

 

 

Its persistency for long single-cycle lay means more eggs on five grams less feed. Producers gain more profitability with a feed savings of approximately two kilograms per bird per year versus competing brands.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 329.3
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 373
Average egg size to 72 weeks 63.9g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 64.4g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 19.6kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.4kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 104.5gms
Body weight at 16 weeks 1210gms
Liveability:
Rearing 97.0%
Laying period (72 wks.) 92.6%
Laying period (80 wks.) 91.7%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Hy-Line Plus

Prolific Producer, Rich Brown Eggs, Increased egg weight of up to 2 grams

 

The Hy-Line Brown Plus has all the benefits of the Hy-Line Brown with increased egg weight of up to 2 grams. The Hy-Line Brown is the world's most balanced brown egg layer. She produces over 355 rich brown eggs to 80 weeks, peaks well and begins lay early with optimum egg size. These traits combined with an excellent temperament, unrivalled feed efficiency, the best interior egg quality in the market and unbeatable liveability and feather cover, plus enhanced egg weight give the Hy-Line Brown Plus the perfect balance for Enriched Colony and Alternative production systems, which means more profit for the poultry producer.

 

With the Hy-Line Brown's superior performance and world beating efficiencies it's the perfect choice for a more profitable future.

Hyline Brown Hyline Plus
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 337.7 323.3
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 382.5 365.7
Average egg size to 72 weeks 63.9% 66.6g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 64.0% 67.0g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.8kg 20.8kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 23.7kg 23.7kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 117.9gms 117.9gms
Body weight at 17 weeks 1460gms 1460gms
Liveability:
Rearing 98.1% 98.1%
Laying period (72 wks.) 96.2% 96.2%
Laying period (80 wks.) 95.0% 95.0%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Lohmann Brown Classic

The Lohmann Brown is the leading layer in the UK market.

 

With a reputation for persistent production, excellent shell strength and good temperament, it is ideally suited to long laying cycles, giving high numbers of first quality, saleable eggs with attractive brown shells.

Free Range Colony
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 308.2 316.1
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 349.5 357.1
Average egg size to 72 weeks 63.4g 63.2g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 63.8g 63.7g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 19.53kg 19.98kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.32kg 22.91kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 125 - 130g 110 - 117g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1380g 1380g
Liveability:
Rearing 97 - 98% 97 - 98%
Laying period (72 wks.) 92 - 95% 93 - 95%
Laying period (80 wks.) 90 - 92% 92 - 95%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Dekalb White

Perfectly adapted to the needs of modern commercial egg production, the DeKalb White has been bred to be a profitable high performance breed, set to be a natural choice for professional egg producers of the future.

 

Combining excellent liveability, extended production cycles, superb persistency and an excellent feed conversion ratio, the DeKalb White consistently produces high numbers of first quality eggs, per hen housed.

 

DeKalb White eggs are strong shelled with excellent internal quality, making them suitable for both table eggs and egg processing markets.

Free Range
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 331
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 376
Average egg size to 72 weeks 65.1g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 65.5g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.4kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 23.4kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 114g
Body weight at 16 weeks
Liveability:
Rearing
Laying period (72 wks.) 95.0%
Laying period (80 wks.) 94.3%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Bovans Brown

The result of a balanced breeding programme, the Bovans Brown is a highly versatile and robust layer.

 

A combination of high peak production, great laying persistency, and a flat egg weight curve ensures that the Bovans Brown produces high numbers of first quality dark brown eggs.

 

Adaptable and easy to manage, the robustness of the Bovans Brown allows it to adjust well to different climates, management programmes and housing systems.

Free Range Colony
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 321 332
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 365 376
Average egg size to 72 weeks 65.6g 65.6g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 65.8g 65.8g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.4kg 21.0kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 23.3kg 23.9kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 124g 116g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1350g 1350g
Liveability:
Rearing 98% 98%
Laying period (72 wks.) 95% 96.8%
Laying period (80 wks.) 94.3% 96.4%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Isa Brown

The ISA Brown is recognised globally for its exceptional feed conversion, which makes it one of the most efficient, proven and profitable brown egg layers in the world.

 

Producing high numbers of first quality eggs, per hen housed, the ISA Brown is a reliable and versatile layer with excellent feed conversion, which adapts well to differing climates and housing systems.

 

Optimal egg size, strong shells and great laying persistency also make the ISA Brown perfectly suitable for longer laying cycles.

Free Range Colony
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 316 330
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 359 373
Average egg size to 72 weeks 65.8% 65.8g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 66.0% 66.0g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.3kg 21.1kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 23.1kg 24.0kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 124g 115g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1350 1350
Liveability:
Rearing 98.0% 98.0%
Laying period (72 wks.) 94.7% 95.8%
Laying period (80 wks.) 92.7% 95.9%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Shaver Brown

The Shaver Brown is a highly efficient and balanced brown egg layer, producing a large volume of medium and large sized brown eggs with strong shells and good internal quality.

 

The Shaver Brown has a low feed intake combined with a high peak production and great laying persistency.

 

The supreme Shaver Brown is a reliable, efficient and profitable bird for all egg producers.

Free Range Colony
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 317 330
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 360 372
Average egg size to 72 weeks 65.0g 65.0g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 65.1g 65.1g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.1kg 20.8kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 22.9kg 23.6kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 126g 116g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1350 1350
Liveability:
Rearing 98.0% 98.0%
Laying period (72 wks.) 95% 95.9%
Laying period (80 wks.) 94.3% 95.3%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Hy-Line Brown

Prolific Producer, Rich Brown Eggs, Hardy Layer

 

The Hy-Line Brown is the world's most balanced brown egg layer. She produces over 355 rich brown eggs to 80 weeks, peaks well and begins lay early with optimum egg size. These traits combined with an excellent temperament, unrivalled feed efficiency, the best interior egg quality in the market and unbeatable liveability and feather cover give the Hy-Line Brown the perfect balance for both Enriched Colony and Alternative production systems, which means more profit for the poultry producer.

 

With the Hy-Line Brown's superior performance and world beating efficiencies it's the perfect choice for a more profitable future.

Hyline Brown Hyline Plus
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 337.7 323.3
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 382.5 365.7
Average egg size to 72 weeks 63.9% 66.6g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 64.0% 67.0g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 20.8kg 20.8kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 23.7kg 23.7kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 117.9gms 117.9gms
Body weight at 17 weeks 1460gms 1460gms
Liveability:
Rearing 98.1% 98.1%
Laying period (72 wks.) 96.2% 96.2%
Laying period (80 wks.) 95.0% 95.0%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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Lohmann Brown Lite

Similar in performance and behaviour to the Classic, the Lohmann Brown Lite produces the typical Lohmann egg colour and shell.

 

With an average egg size approximately 1.5g less than the Classic, the Lite produces a higher percentage of medium eggs. It’s good laying performance and shell breaking strength of over 35 Newtons make it suitable for a variety of management systems.

Free Range Colony
Eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks 311.2 319.6
Eggs per hen housed to 80 weeks 354.0 362.8
Average egg size to 72 weeks 61.1g 61.0g
Average egg size to 80 weeks 61.6g 61.5g
Egg mass to 72 weeks 19.01kg 19.48kg
Egg mass to 80 weeks 21.81kg 22.46kg
Average daily feed intake per bird 124 - 129g 110 - 116g
Body weight at 16 weeks 1360g 1360g
Liveability:
Rearing 97 - 98% 97 - 98%
Laying period (72 wks.) 92 - 95% 93 - 96%
Laying period (80 wks.) 90 - 92% 92 - 95%

The above information has been provided by the breed companies at the request of Wot a Pullet. Wot a Pullet gives no warranty or guarantee of performance of these figures.

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