Egg production remains a priority in Las Tunas, according to Walsires Corrales Ávila, deputy technical director of the Poultry Company, who added that despite economic constraints, the province can meet the plan of 61 million 300 thousand postures.

"In January and February, it was met, but in March it was not possible because the imported feed had a low percentage of soybean meal. In April the recovery began and although we have a backlog of one million units, each month consumers received the standard quota of the basic basket."

"We are in a position to recover and, if the food supply is well maintained, it will be fulfilled in the rest of the year, not only for the consumption of the farmers but also for wherever the country decides, since this is a national balance line. So far in 2023, we have already delivered more than four million eggs to other territories".

Walsires Corrales Ávila

Poultry farming is one of the activities most affected by the U.S. blockade against Cuba, which prevents the rapid acquisition of supplies, medicines, sanitary clothing, and other resources. However, the sector is looking for solutions to these circumstances and one of them is the raising of hens employing pasturing.

"It is a program that is progressing very well and of which we have accumulated experience. Starting in June we will continue delivering pullets to non-specialized producers in Manatí and in August it will start in the municipality of Colombia, where there are many motivations."

"For the moment we can assure that these rustic hens have efficient productions that contribute to the municipal self-sufficiency program and the national plan of food sovereignty and nutritional education."

INSIDE THE RAMÓN TÉLLEZ FARM

In the community of Domínguez, in the municipality of Las Tunas, 30 workers - most of them directly linked to production - are responsible for the infrastructure of the Ramón Téllez Peña poultry farm and, above all, for 40,388 laying hens.

This is a collective with a lot of responsibility and a sense of belonging, which dedicates time to solving problems and has worked for its welfare and that of the animals, according to Odalmis Hernández Torres, director of the grassroots business unit.

"For two years we have been working on transformations to improve hygiene and, consequently, animal health and egg production, which is our social purpose. It has been a difficult job, but we already have the results, keeping the excreta dry."

"It is a slow task, adding lime and rice straw every so often. The maintenance workers are in charge of collecting them once a week, and thanks to that, the working conditions are better. There are no strong odors and flies are few."

"Despite the economic limitations we have, we have had a positive year; for example, our hens are over 840 days old. However, they maintain their efficiency and allow us to meet the daily plan, amounting to 21,000 eggs."

"Until May, the goal is 902,400 eggs and we have already collected 1,328,700. Therefore, we will comply with the plans and the indicators that are required of us, with more effort and ensuring that no criminal acts occur on the farm."

For Almida Batista Acosta, one of the workers, every day is hard work because "from the moment I arrive, I put on my sanitary clothes and carry out a series of tasks. The first thing is to check the whole area and if there are any dead hens, I take them out of the cage.

"Then I count them all and give them food and water. I do a first collection of the eggs and after lunch, I collect them again. The rest of the time I pass my hand through the feeders, to stimulate them in their feeding, and I keep an eye on any detail in the shed."

Young veterinarian Alejandro Osorio Ortiz joined the collective a little more than four months ago and has become accustomed to the noise of the birds and to going through each shed to make sure that everything is all right in terms of the animal's health.

"The strength of the laying hens comes through their mouths and, if there is no good feed, that is not possible. That is why I check that their nutrition corresponds to what is established and that their feed diet is complied with. That is a guarantee that they will be healthy."

"I constantly check to avoid disease outbreaks and we also make sure that the bird netting is in good condition. In addition, we conduct technical seminars with the workers, so that they know, monitor, and alert us, if necessary."

In the "Ramón Téllez" farm, a significant contribution is made to egg production and during each day the small collective appeals to creativity and discipline to solve the inconveniences and defy the many economic limitations of these times.