1- Poultry Research Unit and Poultry Experimental Unit, INRA, 37380 Nouzilly.



The Poultry Research and Experimental Units undertake integrative studies on bird’s biology from the molecular level to the animal placed in its environment with two main objectives: to acquire knew knowledge on bird’s physiology and genetics, and to contribute to the development of sustainable poultry productions in Europe. The ongoing research of the different teams (poultry genetic, growth and metabolism, nutritional dynamics, function and regulation of egg proteins, quality of gametes, welfare and reproduction) will be presented as well as the experimental facilities (feed mill, slaughterhouse, free-range rearing systems, furnished cages …) and the experimental lines of quails and chickens.

Distance from the congress place: 25 km.
Departure: 08:30 / Return: 15:00

2- Fermiers de Loué, 82 avenue Rubillard, 72000 Le Mans.



The producers of “Loué” began to rear poultry under “Label Rouge” conditions in 1958. Actually, about 1000 farmers produce 28 millions of poultry and 160 millions of eggs per year and there are 150 different references of products from the whole carcasses to process products. During the visit you will have the opportunity to see laying hens and chickens reared under free-range systems and slaughtering and processing facilities.

Distance from the congress place: 100 km.
Departure: 08:00 / Return: 15:00


3- Groupe Euronutrition, Station Expérimentale, le Pavillon, 72240 St Symphorien.



The companies SANDERS, CCPA, and TECHNA representing a total feed production of 7 millions of tons created, in 2003, a common experimental structure for research on animal nutrition (pigs, poultry and rabbits): EURONUTRITION S.A.S. About 300 trials are realised each year. During the visit you will have the opportunity to see the experimental facilities, the feed mill and the main subjects of research will be presented.
Website: http://www.glon-sanders.com/
http://www.ccpa.fr/
http://www.techna.fr/         
Distance from the congress place: 135 km.
Departure: 08:00 / Return: 15:00


4- Groupe Huttepain-LDC, ZI St Laurent, 72300 Sablé sur Sarthe.



The LDC Company was founded in 1968. It was joined in 2001 by the group Huttepain in order to partly control the upstream activities. Huttepain-LDC is strongly implicated in the French poultry production and slaughtering. It has also developed a delicatessen division proposing a wide range of products (sandwiches, pizzas, pre-cooked dishes, pancakes …). Since a few years acquisitions in Poland and Spain allowed the group to have an international development. During the visit you will have the opportunity to visit a turkey farm and a slaughterhouse with processing activities.

Distance from the congress place: 100 km.
Departure: 08:00 / Return: 15:00


5- Groupe Grelier, La Bohardière, BP n°1, 49 290 St-Laurent de la Plaine.



The Grelier group was founded 50 years ago. Hatchery Company from its beginnings, the group is based on 1 million sq meters breedings farms and 13 hatcheries. Grelier has been involved from 1985 in Grand-Parents operations with Aviagen for Turkeys and Broilers and more recently with Grimaud for Guinea Fowls. Grelier is still today a family ownership, the sons of the founder, Joseph Grelier, continue to manage the group, which is now the European number one Hatchery Company. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to see laboratories and hatchery facilities.

Distance from the congress place: 154 kms
Departure: 08:00 / Return: 17:00

Lunches are included.