First in the state, first in Attala County describes the cutting edge, state-of-the-art breeder houses owned and operated by Kristi Pinkard and her husband Ben, growers for Koch Farms of Forest.
Located on Highway 43 south of Kosciusko, the two red breeder houses represent a new enterprise for the area.
Each of the houses holds 10,500 white cobb layers which produce 17,000 eggs per day at their peak season of laying.
Pinkard readily makes it known that his wife is the keeper of the layers. Kristi apparently does not let her petite appearance deter questions of her ability to handle the job. “I am from Leake County, known for its chicken houses, and from a family that raised chickens, so this is what I love, something that I enjoy,” she said.
The houses are highly mechanized with temperatures, static pressure, proper feed and water amounts determined by computer. The system gives warning of any problems in each of the houses. In case of power failure, a backup system goes into effect within a few seconds. The back-up system is tested each Sunday for 30 minutes to ensure its effectiveness.
Ben has the first job of the day with feeding at 4:15 a.m. before he heads to his job with AT&T in Madison. After the feeding, Kristi assumes the responsibility of the operation with the help of their sons Ben and Bradley and two other employees.
From the laying nests which run the full length of the houses, the eggs fall onto a conveyor belt which takes them to an area for collecting and sorting. They are placed with the small end down onto trays before being placed on racks which hold 4,860 eggs or 405 dozen. Eggs are picked up twice each week and taken to the Morton Hatchery.
After layers reach their peak and egg production diminishes, they go to Southern Hen in Mozelle. After thorough cleaning, the houses are made ready for new layers. Christy said the process will start over in October when new layers arrive.
Jason Stewart, a breeder service technician with Koch Farms, was very complimentary of the Pinkard’s efficiency and cleanliness in the operation of the business.
Jason Stewart, breeder service technician with Koch Farms, shows the computer where feed, water and temperature is determined.
Ben Pinkard (right) and his son take eggs from conveyor and transfer to trays in preparation for transfer to hatchery in Morton.
