The foundations of poultry farming in the province of Las Tunas are in the Llanos de Oriente base business unit (UEB), a magical place due to its beauty and organization; and very important because it guarantees the replacement of laying hens.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- It is located in the community of El Rincón, in the municipality of Majibacoa, and its 44 workers make an effort so that the entity continues to be among those with the best results in the country. According to the technical manager Karel Carracedo Gómez, this is due, first of all, to the workers' sense of belonging.

“We have spent between six and seven years exceeding all production plans, the group remains in the unit during the day, completely dedicated to raising the chicks, from the moment they arrive, until they are delivered to the different farms.

“Good animal handling distinguishes us, being selective in their classification, and reminding our workers that they are a significant part of food production, a priority on the Island.”

Carracedo Gómez said that "Llanos de Oriente" has a capacity for 124,800 specimens, and they carry out four planned breedings during the year. Each production period is, approximately, two months; and the farm meets the main indicators.

“For example, the viability (number of animals surviving compared to the number of animals received) is planned at 87 percent, which is about 107 thousand birds; but we mostly reach 91 percent. This means that we deliver about 110 thousand hens.

“In total, we contribute around 16,000 above the plan; that is our contribution to increasing egg production in the territory. The future of the Poultry Company is sustained here: we guarantee quality females.”

The offspring are received from Artemisa, Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, and Holguín. After they arrive, the established methodology is applied so that they do not get sick and reach the weight and size required for their transfer to the farms.

“The first thing is to receive them with the specific feed and guarantee them heating based on charcoal. We also give them electrolyte solutions, as it is vital to hydrate them at that age. In general, we comply with the food and zootechnical guidelines.”

The careful attention from birth is decisive for the hens to be productive, and this is achieved by the staff of “Llanos de Oriente,” whose performance is qualified as excellent by the experts.