Company History

Whitakers’ was established in Cork in 1905.  Initially the business was to pack both butter and eggs for the export market this in turn let us to breed and hatch our own stock.  This was a seasonal trade to begin with, which has grown over time to become an all year round business.  We began to hatch day old chicks and turkey poults, at our hatchery in the centre of Cork city.   We then proceeded to grow the stock, as we found that grown birds best suited our customers.

Today
Pullets:   We rear one million point of lay pullets annually, representing  approximately 50% of the overall Irish market.   We offer a choice of pullet breeds, which are listed under the pullet rearing section.

Turkeys:   We are by far the largest independent stock supplier in this sector.    We  sell approximately 500,000 birds annually, mostly for the Christmas market.   Our customer requirement ranges from day old stock, to five week old turkeys and finally fully grown stock for the Christmas and catering markets.   We offer a choice of turkey breeds, which are listed under the turkey rearing section.  We are fully accredited with Bord Bia, in all aspects of our flock rearing.

Whitakers Hatcheries Stand, R.D.S, May, 1966.