52 Years in Poultry: One Lesson Every Grower Should Remember

Technology has transformed poultry production over the past five decades. From manual feeding and watering systems to today’s highly automated houses, growers have more tools than ever to improve efficiency.

But after speaking with someone who has spent 52 years working in the poultry industry, we walked away with one lesson that still applies today: no amount of automation can replace spending time with your birds.

A Look Back at How the Industry Has Changed

During a recent conversation with a poultry industry veteran, we expected to hear about the latest technologies shaping modern production. Instead, we received something even more valuable—a firsthand perspective on how dramatically the industry has evolved over the past 52 years.

Automation Has Improved Efficiency

There’s no question automation has benefited poultry producers.

Modern equipment helps growers manage larger operations, improve consistency, and reduce labor requirements. Today’s farms can accomplish far more than they could decades ago.

As poultry houses have grown larger and farms have expanded, automation has become essential.

The Downside of Automation

While technology has made many tasks easier, it has also created an unintended consequence. According to this industry veteran, automation has gradually taken growers out of the poultry house.

Years ago, growers spent much more of their day walking through houses and observing birds firsthand. Today, with automated systems handling many daily tasks, it’s easier to rely on controllers and monitors instead of direct observation.

Nothing Replaces Walking the House

One piece of advice we’ve shared before came to mind during the conversation:

The best thing you can put on your farm is your shadow.

Technology can monitor temperatures, ventilation, and equipment, but it can’t replace a grower’s ability to notice subtle changes in bird behavior, activity, or flock condition. The more time spent with the birds, the more likely small issues are caught before they become larger problems.

Finding the Right Balance

Today’s growers also face a different reality than previous generations. Many operations now manage multiple farms and significantly more poultry houses than in the past. Walking every house takes far more time than it once did.

That’s why the goal isn’t to avoid automation—it’s to use it wisely.

Automation should improve efficiency while still allowing growers to stay engaged with their flocks through regular walkthroughs and careful observation.

A Timeless Lesson for Every Grower

Technology will continue to advance, and poultry production will keep evolving.

But one lesson has remained constant through more than five decades of industry experience: successful growers never lose touch with their birds. The best operations combine the efficiency of modern automation with the hands-on attention that has always been at the heart of good poultry management.

Contact Us

If you have any questions for us, reach out to me at allen@southlandorganics.com. Until next time!