Nestled in Lancashire, five meticulously managed poultry sheds house around 102,000 Ross 308 birds. Behind the operation is Allan Robinson, a poultry grower whose quiet dedication and attention to detail have earned him a reputation as one of the industry’s most consistent performers, earning him recognition as Sainsbury’s Chicken Farmer of the Year in 2025.
Allan has been growing chickens since leaving school nearly 40 years ago, starting with Dove Valley, which later became part of Moy Park and now Pilgrim’s. Over the years, he has continually adapted to industry changes, replacing his original Arlo sheds with four modern Clearspan units between 2015 and 2022. His journey reflects a steady commitment to evolving best practices, always prioritising what works best for the birds.
“I don’t feel as though I’m doing anything special,” Robinson says modestly. “I just do what I know.”
But the results speak volumes. So far in 2025, Allan’s average EPEF was an impressive 475, with an FCR of 1.39. Average pododermatitis is less than 1%, average mortality sits at less than 3%, and he hasn’t used antibiotics in over a decade.
Attention to detail extends to every corner of the farm. Robinson manages turnaround himself, cleaning out, laying shavings, chick papers, and even washes everything except the sheds, which are handled by an external company. The farm is spotless.
“Holiday? I’ve not had a holiday since 1995,” he laughs.
From fitting his original CO₂ meters in Tupperware boxes to ensure they can be fully sealed during washdown, to keeping a stock of spare parts for every piece of equipment, Allan focuses on the little things and ensures there’s minimal downtime. He has solar panels which feed back into the grid, as well as a biomass heating system and Fancom scales in the sheds to monitor growth. He also invests in high-quality virgin green sawdust to help manage humidity and dust levels, only ever bedding up when the shed is dry even with a tight turnaround.
“I’ll never put bedding back in if it’s damp or wet”.
Ventilation has been another area of focus. Robinson has worked extensively on his variable speed tunnel vent fans to get it right for the farm and, most importantly, right for the birds. Even during periods of extreme heat, bird losses are minimal.
“A small tweak can make a big difference”.
One part of his approach is his use of an in-water probiotic, Bactocell Drink produced by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, since 2019. Initially introduced to help mitigate dips in water intake around the Gumboro vaccination period, Robinson quickly saw broader benefits.
“You’re seeding them with good bacteria, aren’t you, it helps the gut,” he says. “As I’m not medicating, it feels like you’re putting something in to actually help them.”
Originally used on days 4–8 and again around day 19 when the Gumboro vaccine was administered, Allan has continued the practice even after switching to in-ovo vaccination – which he believes is one of the best things he’s ever done. He also uses Bactocell Drink during the typical finisher feed transition periods, despite no longer moving onto a finisher diet.
“I think we’d seen it advertised and different bits about it and I just thought, we’ll give it a go,” Allan recalls. “We’ve been using it now for a number of years, six or seven at least. I’ve never missed a crop or a shed doing it.”
The benefits have extended beyond gut health. Litter quality has improved significantly in combination with his ventilation and heating.
“I never bed up, ever,” Robinson says. “The [enrichment] play bales go in and that’s it. It’s plenty dry without any extra bedding.”
“I think if you’re trying to do too many things, you tend to neglect different areas,” he says. “You can do lots of things average or one thing good.”
That philosophy is reflected in his streamlined approach to additives and add-ons, just using Bactocell Drink, and vitamins now and again, through his central dosing system for the drinker lines.
“[Bactocell Drink] is easy to mix in, there’s no sediment or anything, it just goes through. I’ve never had any issues.”
Robinson’s farm is often used as a benchmark for good practice, with other growers and customers visiting to see his setup. He was surprised to win the Sainsbury’s Chicken Farmer of the Year Award 2025.
“People keep ringing me up, asking, ‘What are you doing here, what are you doing there?’ As far as I’m concerned, I’m not doing anything different.”
But it’s clear he is doing something right. His results, his consistency, and his unwavering commitment to stockmanship make him a shining example of what can be achieved when every detail matters.