Improving Hatchery Productivity and Biosecurity in Vietnam
The growth of Vietnam’s livestock sector, particularly poultry, had created challenges for small and medium-scale hatcheries that struggled with biosecurity, inconsistent hatching rates, and limited management skills, heightening the risk of disease outbreaks such as H5N1. To address these issues, the World Poultry Foundation (WPF) partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Vietnam Department of Livestock Production (DLP) on the Improving Hatchery and Parent Flock Management Practices in Vietnam project. Implemented in 2018, the initiative delivered eight training courses for 236 farmers and officials across Hung Yen, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh provinces. A baseline assessment of 27 hatcheries informed the creation of four model farms and eight satellite hatcheries, each supported by tailored action plans and technical advisory visits.
Two model hatcheries were established to demonstrate best practices in biosecurity, flock management, and infrastructure improvement. Farmers observed firsthand how upgraded equipment, stronger hygiene protocols, and better housing design could improve both productivity and animal welfare. Participants reported higher hatchability rates, healthier chicks, and greater profitability, with many implementing the same practices in their own hatcheries. These demonstration sites became important learning hubs, showing that even small operational changes could make a meaningful difference in efficiency and disease prevention.
Mr Vu Van Anh, 48 years old
To further extend the project’s reach, WPF and FAO developed the Vietnam Hatchery Workbook, an introductory guide to hatchery construction and management written in Vietnamese. An initial print run was distributed to participating hatcheries, with strong demand quickly emerging. The electronic version was translated into English and reviewed by poultry science professors from Texas A&M University and Iowa State University, whose recommendations were incorporated by FAO. The final workbook, along with educational placards and brochures, was prepared for wider distribution in Vietnamese, with an English version made available for broader use across the region.
The program has concluded it left a lasting impact by improving biosecurity, increasing hatchery productivity, and reducing disease risks. The technical training, demonstration farms, and educational materials developed through this collaboration strengthened the capacity of Vietnam’s hatchery sector and inspired neighboring farmers to replicate the best practices. The project’s legacy continued to inform hatchery management and poultry production across Vietnam and the wider region, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable poultry industry.