Great Eggs pectations

The programs’ goal is to supply a minimum of 100 families with daily eggs over 1000 days. This period starts with expecting mothers and continues over the birth of their babies for at least two additional years.

In doing so the program demonstrates how the power of eggs can support the critical early developmental stages. By providing an essential source of high-quality protein, vitamins, trace minerals, and nutrients to the mother and child during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infancy stages, the program addresses the nutritional needs crucial for optimal growth and development. This is particularly vital in communities around the world that still suffer from nutritional poverty.

“The IEF is honoured to be part of expanding this program to reach even more families, and we are excited that the medical data being professionally collated can support research studies to showcase the programme’s effectiveness and the vital role eggs can play in human health, especially in those who need it the most”, says Cassy Price, CEO International Egg Foundation (IEF).

OneEgg.org likewise dedicates itself to counter the effects of protein deficiency in children like immunity problems, poor concentration capabilities, and delayed growth. The organisation partners with local leaders to provide protein for thousands of children across the globe during the most crucial stages of development. “We and our partners pursue a simple, straightforward mission: get more eggs to more children. We work to create sustainable agribusiness operations to ensure a steady egg supply, a supportive community and a generational change for kids to have the protein they need to grow to their fullest potential”, explains Dave Juenger, Executive Director of OneEgg.org.

… 1000 days and far beyond …

With the program, not only is the consumption of eggs supported, but likewise the local egg production also develops into a modern agricultural profession of creating regional high-quality protein.

Camila Reina, CEO of Honduras Outreach Inc. (HOI), as IEFs partnering Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said: “The ‘First 1000 Days of Life’ nutrition program is a game changer. Not only is this directly impacting an expectant mother’s health and that of her baby for over 1000 days of life, but it is also creating healthier eating habits and educating the population about the benefits and wonders of the egg. Our aim is to address physical and cognitive stunting as well as maternal nutrition and wellbeing in remote areas in rural Honduras with potential global replication. With the expansion the IEF and its partners are supporting, HOI will now be able to double its population reach and facilitate our entrepreneur’s market expansion.”

Facilitating market expansion

To sustain the availability of local high-quality egg-protein, modern production also needs support.  Present-day layer breeding and egg production evolved from a niche industry or the regard as supplementary food into a mainstream future business of modern healthy eating. Modern production also means modern management with the support of artificial intelligence to plan tasks, prevent risks, reduce waste, educate staff, and make farming more efficient and profitable.

Scale without fail

So, as egg producers Claudio and Blanca Aguirre of HOIs “Huevos el Rey” will be supplying the eggs for the “First 1000 Days of Life” program they also play a key role in upscaling production numbers. Claudio has over ten years’ experience in egg production. Supported by HOI, Claudio began raising a small backyard flock a decade ago. And as a result, he and his wife Blanca were chosen to be the producers when the “First 1000 Days of Life” program started in 2017. Initially there was a group of ten families, and with the support of a medical doctor and a nutritionist the program kept growing.

“The role our medical staff plays in the deployment and follow through of the program is instrumental. Selecting families, training and educating mothers, caring for the expectant mother and the newborn-infant-toddler, they really are the engine that keeps it going.”, explains Camila Reina.

Growth is a great thing, however Claudio also knows that bigger flocks mean bigger responsibilities. Ready to take the quantum leap, support for his endeavour comes from more than one side:

Consultant Paul Pressley, retired from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, met many poultry producers during his career. He understands concerns of handling flocks multi times in size. Paul also remembers the early days of the program, when in 2018 HOI and OneEgg.org began their collaboration to supply one egg a day to families in the Agalta Valley. “OneEgg.org played a key role in initiating things and has been a major supporter ever since!”

Back then, the eggs were produced in a small layer house with 400 floor raised hens. The program expanded into a new 3000 square foot hen house with caged systems. Now the next plan is to increase from 400 to 1500 birds and ultimately to full capacity of about 3000 hens, which will allow the “First 1000 Days of Life” program to expand and also provide eggs to the local school.

Rely on (K)AI

So far, production tracking only covered weekly egg production and mortality. Consistently meeting and exceeding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provided the important foundation and reassuring factor to scale up.

Paul advocates facilitating and speeding up analysis of important criteria such as feed consumption, egg mass, and body weight with targeted Artificial Intelligence (AI). To control the greater capacity, Paul and Claudio will also rely on KAI, H&N Internationals digital farming assistance. KAI offers additional measurements and AI-aided production surveillance with task reminders, 24/7 help and tips. Data can easily be exchanged between various languages, such as Spanish and English, flawlessly and barrier free.

Quick to big and strong – Qualities of H&N Super Nick

 “We are very honoured to support this project with H&N Super Nick pullets that will be producing the actual key elements of the ‘First 1000 Days of Life’ programme!”, says Dr. Ronald Trenchi, Key Account Manager for Latin America and one of the most experienced veterinaries of H&N International, as he represents H&N International onsite at HOI upon arrival of the pullets.

“We will also do our best to transport modern egg production methods and help establish a firm base for future developments”, says Xabier Arbe, Managing Director of H&N International and Chief Nutritionist. H&N Super Nick layers produce large eggs already very early, so the ‘First 1000 Days of Life’ benefit from as much egg mass as possible right from the start.

H&N Super Nick like all H&N breeds is world leading in adaptability. H&N breeds also excel in any egg target, any climate, any housing, and with any feed available, thus giving farmers flexibility in producing with what they have available locally. Being able to produce competitively and to thus sustain oneself in the local market is a key fact for solid future egg supply as well.

Given the remoteness of the Agalta Valley, H&Ns world leading shell strength also plays a key role in making the donation really take positive effect and work out practically. Delivering such big eggs intact to the consumers is a decisive factor that sets H&N International apart.

 Collaborators involved in the “First 1000 Days of Life” program

• Claudio Aguirre, Head farmer of “Huevos el Rey” egg producing farm and his wife Blanca within HOI at Agalta Valley, Honduras will produce for the “First 1000 Days of Life” program.
• Honduras Outreach Inc. (HOI) pioneered the “First 1000 Days of Life” initiative, starting in 2017. HOI is a development nongovernmental organization (NGO) working in rural Honduras since 1989 with outreach initiatives in education, healthcare, clean water, community development, spiritual life, and agricultural economic development. The operation is run by a multinational team led by CEO Camila Reina and managed onsite by José Crozier, Director of Operations. At present HOI operates a school and four health clinics providing medical assistance and care to the expectant mothers, as well as a population of 16000 Hondurans in rural areas since 1989. Part of HOI is also a farm with cattle, crops and, of course, “Huevos el Rey” for egg production. HOI is committed to improving health, education, and agricultural development, providing training for setting up small, agricultural businesses.
• International Egg Foundation (IEF), represented by the NGOs CEO Cassy Price, initiated and coordinated this donation and all necessary processes between donors and collaborators.
• Bruce Dooyema of Versova Community Foundation, Iowa (USA), coordinates all donors’ donations onsite in terms of time planning, supervision, and interface management between parties and people. Bruce and Versova were also in charge of installing the lighting and cage system in the hen house.
• Paul Pressley, retired from the S. Poultry and Egg Association, helps as another consultant to HOI as well as an early adopter and evangelist for digital farming assistance in modern farming and subsequent training and education for safe and stable results.
• H&N Distributor INHASA, Honduras, under CEO Dr. Cristina Samara supplies H&N Super Nick pullets and support. INHASA, short for Industria Avicola Hondurena SA, was acquired by the Samara Family in 2010. The company is very well known in Honduras and beyond the country’s borders. Under CEO Dr. Maria Cristina Samara, INHASA moved into a new and very modern direction with a sole focus on parent stock, services, and support.
• HATO Agricultural Lighting, Sittard (Netherlands), provided the lighting equipment.
• Theorg organisation is represented by Dave Juenger, Executive Director. The organisation exists to put protein in the hands of the next generation. To do so, OneEgg.org and partners work to create sustainable agribusiness operations, ensuring a steady egg supply, supportive communities, and a generational change.
• Big Dutchman, Vechta (Germany) supplied cages, drinkers, and further equipment.
• World Poultry Foundation, Tucker (USA), acting as a catalyst for improving lives globally through the sustainable production of poultry by empowering farmers in developing regions.
• The American Egg Board, based in Chicago, IL (USA), supports America’s egg farmers to increase demand for eggs and egg products both in America and abroad. The American Egg Board also funds egg research projects like the “First 1000 Days of Life” initiative, examining what difference the egg makes in early childhood development, beginning with the mother during pregnancy to the first three years of the child’s life.
• Keith Heeringa, President of Heeringa Construction LLC, Iowa (USA), was in charge of the design and construction of the hen house building on the premises of HOI farm.
• A flock of 1500 ready to lay H&N Super Nick pullets will produce the eggs.
• Ronald Trenchi, Key Account Manager for Latin America at H&N International represents H&N International, and Xabier Arbe, Managing Director of H&N International supervised the donation.