Growing up on the family farm in Jarvis, Bruce Van Der Molen was familiar with both chickens and dairy farming. In time, it made sense for him to go into chickens, and in 2014, Talbot Road Poultry was established on Hwy. 3, just east of Jarvis, where Bruce and his son, Ben, work together for a future in food production.
A decade later, the farm has expanded with a third chicken barn. This growth gives them more capacity for broiler chickens that suit the needs of their processor, Pinty’s in Port Colborne. Bruce explains, “They want bigger birds, so it made sense to expand with the third barn.”
A flock of birds is in the barn for just over six weeks. When new chicks arrive, there is paper on the floor with feed on it so they can eat right away. Once they eat, they look for water, which is provided through small spigots they can access at eye level. According to Bruce, “It’s more sanitary for them to drink this way. They soon figure out where the food is in the feeders.”
At maturity, the birds weigh approximately 3.1 to 3.2 kgs: “The bigger birds programs pay out better,” Bruce says, “but there’s greater risk.”
One risk factor is the weather. When it’s hot and a barn is full, the birds can struggle and won’t grow as well. The new barn has plenty of ventilation capacity to maximize bird comfort.
Traditional cross ventilation with an updated computer promotes greater efficiency, accelerating and de-accelerating better for optimum comfort. With variable frequency drive fans, one small fan in the new barn is equal to one small fan plus one bigger fan in the old barn. Bruce says, “Three fans in the new barn can do the same job as six in the old barn.”
The motors run slower without getting hot and can run faster on the same power.
“It’s a more efficient system,” Bruce observes. “That matters because it will help to maintain consistent static pressure…. You want the air coming into the whole length of the barn and not just one area.”
Bruce appreciates that the control centre in the barn communicates directly to cell phones. He uses the VoiceOver feature, a program built into Apple technology for users who are visually impaired. Because the controller is an Apple-based product, it works with how Bruce uses his phone. “It’s just easier that way,” he says.
Bruce and Ben can both manage the system from their phones and the service provider can fix things remotely when required.
Ben also looks after the farm crops – corn, soybeans, and wheat – and does some custom work. Bruce states, “Ben is around when I need him.”
Production efficiency extends to the processor, as Pinty’s aims to contract producers in close proximity to Port Colborne. During an open house the Van Der Molen’s hosted in July, fellow poultry producers and community members viewed the barn details, enjoyed Pintys products, and supported the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice.
At that time, MPP Bobbi Ann Brady presented Bruce and Ben with a certificate which stated: “I always say that Haldimand-Norfolk is the best place in all of Canada. There is never a shortage of wonderful farm fresh food – a privilege we should not take for granted. Thank you so very much for your hard work and contributions you make to Ontario Agriculture.”
As the Bruce and Ben Van Der Molen expand their poultry facility, they are investing in the future making Talbot Road Poultry a place for safe, local, quality food production for years to come.
