Co-op – Breeder Services Research

Maple Lodge Farms is Canada’s largest independently owned poultry processor. It engages in processing and supplying chicken products in Canada and internationally. Chicken products offered, also available as Halal, include chicken bacon, deli chicken meats, sliced packaged meats, fresh seasoned chicken, frozen boxed meats, and chicken wieners. Maple Lodge Farms, Ltd. was founded in 1955 and has three processing locations and three hatcheries.

Breeder Services and Hatcheries Overview: The Hatchery Division is at the start of the Live Supply Chain. Our goal is to provide the best quality day-old chicks with unparalleled service to our farmer partners. As part of our continuous improvement process in the hatchery, we collect and analyze data on the parent-stock of broiler (meat-type) birds performance, environmental and hatch process metrics, and chick quality. As part of this summer co-op position, you will be assigned to two breeder service-related continuous improvement research projects. These projects provide an opportunity to learn the meat-type chicken industry and gain experiences on hands-on data collection at commercial farms, data entry (digitalizing data collected in the field), constructing a hypothesis for assigned project, as well as statistical analyses used at the research level to determine the relationship between collected data and the outcome of interest. As well, you will have an opportunity to present your findings to the Breeder Service Team (BST) at the end of your placement.

Location: Supports three hatchery locations. Fleming Chicks (4412 Ontario St., Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0), Stratford Chicks (17 Pine St., Stratford ON N5A 3V5), Curtis Chicks (101 Fox Rd., Port Hope, ON L1A 3V5)

This position will focus primarily on Breeder Services and will involve male reproductive fitness assessment in order to support hatches.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES

• Work on various research projects related to flock reproduction and fertility.
• Sample flocks to assess roosters through weighing, monitoring body weight gains, fleshing, monitoring vent conditions, behavioural observations, etc. to check reproductive fitness and fertility persistency.
• Observe, collect data and create reports.
• Establish a reproductive fitness guideline using physical characteristics of broiler breeder roosters to better assess reproductive conditions.
• Aid in constructing Best Management Practices (BMP) from data collected.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• Self-motivated with a desire to learn.
• Analytical skills for statistical analysis are an asset but not required as it will be taught.

a. Student will learn how to use R program.

• Computer proficiency with Excel charts, graphs, and PowerPoint.
• Drive for continuous improvement.
• Knowledge in poultry and meat processing is preferred.
• Comfort working and handling livestock.
• G2 or G class license as well as own transportation to travel to farm locations.
• Must be enrolled in a related program in an accredited post-secondary institution.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Position is Flexible Hybrid (3 days on field, 2 days office or remote); Work hours: Maximum - 40 hours/week – Day shift (exact working TBD based on projects, data collection and analysis, and availability of student).
• On Farm: Exposure to dirty, dusty, and loud environments – proper PPE and equipment will be provided.
• Office: Working room can be provided at designated hatchery location, or remotely work from home for data entry, organization, and analyses.

In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants are required to make their needs known in advance.

We thank all applicants for applying however only those chosen will be contacted by our Talent Acquisition Team.

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REQUIREMENTS

In the 1830s, the May family began raising chickens on a farm outside what is now Brampton, Ontario. They became a pillar of the community, and their proud tradition of hard work, agricultural wisdom, and humble family values inspire and guide us to this day.