High feed prices, energy and fuel costs have made the broiler business very challenging and focused attention on energy saving and better performance, said Lubor Skalka, Cobb Germany market manager. One of the most critical factors is the adequate ventilation in the broiler house, so that energy in the house can be used efficiently.

Cobb-Vantress ventilation specialist Robert Barnwell, who has over 30 years’ experience in poultry ventilation, spoke about the role of good ventilation and its impact on improved performance in terms of better health, weight gain, liveability and better feed conversion.

He described the most efficient ways to provide good air quality and environment throughout the whole life of the chicken, with the first 14 days the most important.

The seminar was closed by Ladislav Martinek, director of the AGE, the leading Czech company in poultry equipment, who spoke of their new projects, which would closely follow the Cobb recommendation for ventilation of broiler houses.

Cobb's prominent customer from the Ukraine, Mironovskiy Hlebeprodukt attended this conference with two of its principal personnel who took this opportunity to discuss their specific broiler house ventilation issues with Mr Barnwell.

James Truscott, director of Cobb Germany, added: “This type of a seminar where we cover general principles, followed by detailed discussions, is invaluable in helping customers to reduce production costs and become even more efficient as the Cobb 500 continues to expand market penetration in Central and Eastern Europe.’’