11 Jul 2025
Liang Kee leads the way in ethical layer farming in Malaysia
Liang Kee farm is moving forward to expand its certified cage-free aviary to fill the supply gap of cage-free eggs in the Malaysian market.
In the heart of Temoh, Perak, Liang Kee stands out as the only certified cage-free layer poultry farm in Malaysia. Its owner and Managing Director, Tan Leng Yee, started with just 1000 cage-free hens.
Today, the flock has grown to 30,000 birds, and the farm remains the only one in Malaysia awarded the Certified Humane logo for part of its production.
Following Certified Humane regulations, Mr Tan ensures to aviNews Asia that each hen has sufficient space to roam—1.5 sqft per bird indoors and 2 sqft outdoors. His first coop was a traditional wooden structure with both enclosed and open areas.
He has since added four more concrete barns. Each is designed with enclosed aviaries and outdoor grazing areas, and equipped with mini-conveyors for efficient egg collection and grading.
Liang Kee’s layers are comfortably spaced in their free ranging barn.
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With 45 acres dedicated to certified cage-free egg production, Mr Tan is committed to advancing this concept in Malaysia. He works with Robert Geerts, Sales Director – BU Egg, Asia at Big Dutchman Agriculture Malaysia, to develop climate-controlled housing inspired by cage-free systems in Spain.
“As cage-free farm management grows across Asia, Big Dutchman must offer ventilation systems suited to local climates, especially in the tropics,” Mr Geerts explained aviNew Asia.
“During the day, when the outdoor openings are ajar so hens can range freely, the system uses positive pressure—fans push fresh air into the barn to raise internal pressure.
A fully equipped cage-free aviary, complete with a mini egg conveyor and background music playing.
“When the openings are closed, the system switches to negative pressure, where exhaust fans pull air out to reduce internal pressure. Fresh air is drawn in through controlled ducts, ensuring even distribution. This ventilation concept keeps temperatures stable and hens comfortable 24/7.”
The operation also includes two pullet barns to raise young hens under cage-free from day one. Unlike most cage-free setups, Mr Tan prioritizes outdoor access, allowing hens to express natural behaviors like foraging.
Eggs collected from the cage-free barn are arranged and graded manually.
Although profitability has yet to hit 100%, he remains determined to prove that ethical, sustainable egg production is not only viable but also valuable. He aims to delivery high-quality eggs produced under hygienic, humane, and tightly controlled conditions.
Black soldier fly larvae in sustainable nutrition
A key part of Mr Tan’s vision is giving his hens a natural, nutrient-rich diet. Enter the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL).
Initially, he sourced roasted BSFL from Bioloop, a local company that produces larvae using waste from palm oil production—a sustainable and eco-friendly option. Bioloop’s products, including whole roasted larvae, pressed oil, and powder, are HACCP- and GMP-certified, ensuring high quality and safety.
After incorporating roasted BSFL into his hens’ diet, Mr Tan observed notable benefits:
- Better egg quality – deeper yolk color and stronger shells
- High nutritional value – rich in protein, healthy fats, and essential amino acids for optimal growth and egg production
- Improved gut health – enhances digestion, nutrient absorption, and supports a healthy gut microbiome
- Sustainability – reduces reliance on soybean and fishmeal while recycling organic waste
- Better animal welfare – promotes natural foraging behavior and environmental enrichment
- Cost-effective – lowers feed costs and supports local production
- Health & immunity – strengthens the immune system, reducing the need for antibiotics
Whole BSFL is more affordable compared to the powdered version, said Mr Tan.
Producing BSFL in-house
Encouraged by these results, Mr Tan took a bold step and built his own BSFL production facility. With Bioloop’s support and technical guidance, he trained a dedicated team to raise fresh larvae on-site.
The process is simple but effective:
- Adult flies lay eggs on hanging mesh
- Eggs hatch into larvae in trays with organic food from the farm’s plant-based operations—not from animal manure
“We now keep 80% of the BSFL as roasted types for our layer feed mix, while 20% are given fresh as snacks in the grazing areas,” explained Mr Tan.
This system not only enriches the hens’ diet and encourages their natural feeding behavior, aligning with Certified Humane standards.
Black soldier flies at the Liang Kee farm are raised in netted enclosures, while the larvae are grown in trays filled with nutrient-rich agricultural fruit waste substrate.
Bringing certified humane eggs to market
Liang Kee’s cage-free eggs are now available in Malaysia. Priced at USD 1.50 per six-egg pack, they are sold in outlets like Lotus Supermarket, Isetan, Jaya Grocer, and Village Grocer.
For poultry businesses looking to innovate, Mr Tan’s approach offers valuable insight. By integrating sustainable feed solutions like BSFL, farms can improve operational efficiency and animal welfare while meeting growing consumer demand for ethically and environmentally responsible food.
