-June 23,2021-
The first of 4 former Zacky Farms ranches that grew turkeys are being converted by Foster Farms to raise chickens or turkeys. Livingston-based Foster Farms acquired the ranches out of bankruptcy in 2019.
First out of the chute this month is Holm Ranch-located at 16395 19th Avenue, 2 miles south of Lemoore, on 40-acres at 19th Avenue and Java Road.
Foster Farms’ application proposes to operate a poultry ranch on the non-operational Holm Ranch to grow turkeys and chickens to meet market demand in the poultry industry.
Foster Farms would like the ability to place a maximum of 166,154 chickens or 54,000 turkey onsite per flock for grow out operations, with the type of bird raised subject to market demands. For turkey brooding, up to 120,000 poults (baby turkeys) at any one time. The number of flocks per year will range from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 8 flocks per year depending on the type of bird and desired harvest weight.
Total chicken production on an annual basis at this 4-barn ranch would be a maximum of 1.32 million birds. Total enclosed barn space will remain at 100,000 sf.But they propose to construct 25 feet by 500 feet outdoor poultry pens totaling 100,000 sf to be located in between the existing barns, allowing the birds to be called free-range.
Written or emailed comments may be submitted until 5 PM on July 12, 2021 to the County.
Foster Farms and Pitman Family Farms are expected to ramp up broiler chicken production in Kings County over the next few years.Demand for chicken continues to grow across the world. Pitman recently permitted a new 50 barn ranch Hanford expected to have an annual production of around 10 million birds. With numbers like this from one operation, it is clear the county’s chicken numbers will skyrocket from past levels. In the 2019 Crop Report, Kings County reported 20 million head annual production.
Foster Farms commercial touts chickens able to step outside