Nulkaba Hatchery

Nulkaba Hatchery’s Dr Jeffrey Moth might not be able to tell you which came first, but after 40 years in the business that’s about the only question he can’t answer about chickens and eggs.

Over the last 20 years Dr Moth has channelled his extensive knowledge of genetics into the family business of poultry breeding at Nulkaba Hatchery.  Investment into research and development has resulted in the hatchery laying claim to its very own chicken – the only one of its kind in Australia.

“Our layer chicken is a cross between a Rhode Island Red strain and a Rhode Island White strain and is called the Nulkaba Brown,” Dr Moth says.

“We work jointly with a Queensland company to produce the Nulkaba Brown, the only Australian bred layer chicken in the country.  All other companies import layer and meat breeding stock from overseas.”

Dr Moth says there are distinct advantages to the home-grown chicken.

“Nulkaba Hatchery is committed to cage-free production, as are an increasing number of egg producers.  We believe it is the poultry farming choice of the future,” he says.

“Our chicken is bred for our environment.  This is not so important in environmentally controlled caged layer sheds, but it is extremely important for free range egg production where the chicken must perform in extremes of heat and cold.”

The Nulkaba Brown is competitive performance-wise, producing large eggs up to four weeks earlier than imported layers.  Dr Moth says avoiding import and royalty costs makes the local chicken financially competitive and keeps money in Australia.

“There is not much difference in the final cost of layer chick production, but all our expenditure stays in Australia.  Companies that import stock send a significant proportion of their expenditure overseas.”

One might think creating a whole new breed of chicken would take up all of Dr Moth’s time, but he and the Nulkaba Hatchery team still find time to offer local restaurants, commercial and private customers a wide range of high quality products including:

• Live layer and meat chickens
• Live pekin ducks
• Free range chicken and duck eggs
• Quail eggs
• Honey
• Reptile food

Feeling clucky?  Contact Nulkaba Hatchery to find out more about its range of fine local produce.

W: www.poultryonline.com.au | P: 4991 2501 | E: sales@poultryonline.com.au 

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