Morrisons is investing in British farming by teaming up with the ‘British Egg Academy’ to create a hen training programme. The tailored “training” plan aims to produce the fittest chickens and the best eggs.
Hens lay more eggs when they are active. Students of the academy will learn how to develop exercise routines to create the healthiest environment possible to keep their hens happy. Students will learn everything there is to know about producing elite hens and the best eggs; including the right amounts of feed and water needed, the amount of necessary light exposure and even how to create calming environments to give them time to relax and put their claws up.
The hens will be given all the exercises that they need to produce the best eggs. They will be given access to trees – that they use to play hide and seek in, footballs and other toys – that they are encouraged to play with, and perches at various levels within in their houses – so they are able to jump, climb and fly on a daily basis. For the hens that need downtime after their training, dust baths will be available out in the range.
Young people have consumed more eggs in recent years, making the egg industry the fastest growing protein industry in the UK. Last year, Brits consumed over 13 billion eggs, that’s a whopping 36 million eggs a day, and 197 eggs per year per person.
As well as creating tastier eggs, the academy will increase awareness about the job opportunities available in an industry worth over £1 billion to the UK economy, and improve training opportunities for those who are looking to help feed Britain with the best British eggs.
Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture at Morrisons said: “We want to produce some of the healthiest, fittest and happiest hens in the UK. We are always looking at ways to continually improve our egg quality and this Academy will help achieve that goal, whilst giving our students insights into how to crack the industry for generations to come.”
Bill Meredith, Principal at Bishop Burton College’s Principal said: “The college is delighted to be working with Morrisons and poultry farmers to provide opportunities for those seeking rewarding careers in the egg industry. Our commitment is to provide the skills needed to maintain the highest possible welfare standards – happy hens are us!”
The British Egg Academy will be based at Bishop Burton College and the course will start in January 2021 however for those looking to try their cluck in the egg industry and find out more, there is a virtual open day on Thursday 27 August. Applications to the course will close in December 2020.
For more information, visit: https://www.morrisons-farming.com/backing-british/british-egg-academy/
