Canada: Westco Group is one of the largest poultry farming organizations in Canada. What started as small-scale chicken and turkey farms for meat production has grown into a integrated operation, including their own hatchery and reproduction farms. As part of their drive for innovation, Westco chose to work with the X-Treck, and they are happy to share their experiences.
Better hatch results and stronger birds
Marco Volpé, Senior Manager at Westco Group, explains:
“Compared to the hatch in the hatchery, the hatch with the X-Treck system has always been better. We see less mortality, and the chick weights are consistently higher.”
The X-Treck setter trays, containing 18-day incubated eggs, are placed on a suspended rail system. This design allows the eggs to be positioned freely in the air, ensuring optimal airflow around them during hatching. By adjusting the height with a winching system, farm managers have a simple yet powerful tool to control airflow and temperature, creating the best possible conditions. On incubation days 19 and 20, the chicks hatch directly in the house.
Designed for farmers’ needs
The choice for X-Treck was also about practicality, as Volpé explains:
“We chose this system because we didn’t want to place the setter trays directly on the floor. The system is adapted to the workers’ height, which makes it much easier to place the eggs in the barn. Cleaning out the eggshells takes a little more effort, but overall, it saves work during the rest of the flock cycle.”
Direct access to feed and water
One of the biggest advantages of the X-Treck is that newly hatched broilers have immediate access to feed and water. This early start boosts their health and immune system and making them stronger.
“As soon as a bird can eat and drink, it’s always better—something also proven by the genetic companies. We see it in the barn: the gut develops faster, the birds grow stronger, and they are better able to fight diseases,” Volpé adds.
For Westco Group, the results are clear: X-Treck provides healthier birds, better performance, and long-term value for their operation.
Watch the full interview here: