Overview

Hatchery Managers over see all aspects of a poultry hatchery. This includes the management of personnel, eggs and equipment. 

What responsibilities will I have?

• Manage and coordinate, through supervisory personnel, hatchery activities such as, egg pick-up and deliveries, care, incubation and hatching, grading, vaccination, and preparation and shipping of chicks
• Oversee Quality Assurance/Quality Control program
• Monitor and manage facility equipment and repairs, addressing maintenance issues.
• Oversee hatchery sanitation
• Keep a current knowledge of industry trends and information regarding hatchery equipment and operations
• Manage animal welfare program
• Plan and oversee hatchery budget
• Comply with all company policies, animal welfare guidelines, and local, state and federal laws, and regulations
• Manage chick care, maintenance, packing and transfer activities
• Manage and maintain weekly hatch schedules providing proper number of birds to processing plant
• Direct supervision of salaried and hourly employees

What education and training is required?

To be a Hatchery Managers Bachelor’s degree in animal or poultry science is required.

To pursue a career as a poultry hatchery manager:

The following high school courses are recommended:  agricultural education, animal science, mathematics, English, biology and chemistry.

Where can I work?

Hatchery managers work for poultry production companies that are vertically integrated or companies that provide stock for smaller poultry operations.

Future Job Market / Outlook

The future outlook for a hatchery manager will be good over the next five years.

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• Poultry Science Association
• World’s Poultry Science Association
• State level associations and federations