Neeb Haven Farms showcases state-of-the-art pullet barn near Shakespeare

Inside the new aviary pullet barn at Neeb Haven Farms, the Neeb family gathered for the open house. From left, front row, are Floyd Neeb with grandchildren Noah, Vincent and Brooklyn Harper. In the back row, from left, are Lois, Pauline and Paul Neeb with Vanessa and Tyler Harper. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Hundreds of visitors attended an open house at Neeb Haven Farms in North Easthope Township last week to see the newest technology in pullet raising.

The Neeb family invited the public to tour their new free-run aviary barn, where one-day-old chicks are raised to 18 weeks of age before becoming laying hens. Once mature, the pullets will be transferred to aviary systems for egg production, supplying specialty egg markets across southwestern Ontario.

The facility features modern ventilation, perches and constant access to fresh feed and water, all monitored by advanced computer systems. Paul and Pauline Neeb, together with their daughter Vanessa and son-in-law Tyler Harper, said the new barn reflects their commitment to the future of farming while honouring their family’s past. Paul Neeb’s father, Floyd, recalled the challenges of the 1960s, when eggs sold for just 17 cents a dozen — well below the cost of production.

The open house also showcased a new technology called the Panel Guardian, developed by Smart Ag. The device monitors temperature differences inside electrical panels and detects current imbalances, helping prevent barn fires caused by faulty wiring or breakers. Costing under $2,000, it has already attracted significant interest from farmers and insurers.