Grimaud Brothers

What Grimaud Brothers does

Grimaud Frères (also Grimaud Brothers), founded in 1966 and headquartered in Roussay, Sèvremoine, France, is a multi-species poultry genetics and hatching company operating as a subsidiary of Groupe Grimaud, a diversified animal genetics, biopharmaceutical, and novel-proteins group. The company conducts genetic selection, breeding, and incubation across six species: Muscovy duck (Canedins lines), Mule duck (Hytop lines), Pekin duck (Star 53), guinea fowl (Galor), pigeon (Mirthys), and goose (G35/G36). Production capacity exceeds 2 million breeding ducklings and 50 million commercial ducklings annually, with FY2020 combined turnover of more than €70 million across the French parent and subsidiaries in China (Chengdu, Putian, Shaanxi) and Vietnam.

The company monetizes primarily through one-time sales of pedigree, grandparent, and parent breeding stock to multipliers and commercial producers worldwide, augmented by commercial day-old bird sales and a growing portfolio of technical and animal-welfare services. Core technologies include CT-scan carcass measurement (3M+ acquisitions, new 20% higher-resolution scanner in March 2026), RFID FIRE feed-monitoring on pedigree animals, duck genomic selection via blood samples, and LUNIX™ in ovo sexing (AI-based, 10,000 eggs/hour at ~95% accuracy) for Muscovy and Mule ducks. Distribution combines a specialized multi-lingual technical sales force with wholly-owned subsidiaries in Asia for local production, a French multiplier-farmer network contracted on multi-year cycles, and the Weezyou digital platform providing technical support.

Grimaud Frères operates as a privately held SAS (capital €5,385,330) under family ownership, led by Managing Director Yann Le Pottier. The business targets commercial meat producers, multiplier/breeder farmers, foie gras producers, and the gourmet/specialty poultry segment across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Oceania, and has held ISO 9001 certification since 1995. The strategic posture emphasizes sustained R&D reinvestment (Genetech platform with 35 multi-species researchers), geographic diversification via Asian subsidiaries, and animal welfare positioning through the Ethical Range and 'Caring for Life' mission-driven branding.

Name

Grimaud Brothers

Legal name

GRIMAUD FRERES SELECTION

Website

https://grimaudfreres.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Grimaud Brothers (Grimaud Frères) is a French multi-species poultry genetics company, founded 1966, that breeds and hatches ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and pigeons for commercial meat producers, multipliers, and foie gras producers worldwide via a subsidiary network spanning China and Vietnam.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Poultry Breeding Stock

NAICS

Poultry Hatcheries (112340), Poultry Hatcheries (11234), Poultry and Egg Production (1123)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Broodstock Development & Management (Genetic Lines, SPF/SPR Broodstock) (AFAEAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Duck & Goose Production (Waterfowl) (AFAEADAG), Selective Breeding Program Design & Consulting (AFAEAJAE)

Keywords

• Poultry genetic selection
• Waterfowl breeding stock
• Day-old ducklings
• Guinea fowl breeding
• Pigeon breeding stock

Headquarters

HQ city

Roussay

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Genetic Breeding Stock Sales: Sale of pedigree breeding stock, grandparent (GP) and parent stock (PS) ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and pigeons to multiplier farms and commercial producers worldwide. Production of more than 2 million breeding ducklings and 50 million commercial ducklings annually.
2. Commercial Day-Old Bird Sales: Sale of commercial day-old ducklings, goslings, keets (guinea fowl chicks), and squabs for fattening operations. Includes optional services such as beak treatment, claw treatment, hatchbrood preparation, and vaccination.
3. Technical Services: Technical advice services for breeders including reproduction, insemination, incubation, fattening, nutrition, and veterinary aspects. Animal welfare services including vaccination programs and specialized treatments.
4. Combined Turnover (Grimaud Frères Sélection and subsidiaries): Combined turnover exceeding €70 million reported in 2020, from production of more than 2 million breeding ducklings and more than 50 million commercial ducklings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Grimaud Frères (Grimaud Brothers) is a multi-species poultry genetics company specializing in the genetic selection and hatching of ducks (Muscovy, Mule, Pekin), geese, guinea fowl, and pigeons. The company produces pedigree breeding stock (grandparent and parent stock) and commercial day-old ducklings, goslings, keets, and squabs for meat production worldwide. The company also provides technical services including beak treatment, claw treatment, hatchbrood preparation, vaccination, and the proprietary LUNIX™ in ovo sexing technology.

Product overview

Grimaud Frères operates as a multi-species genetic selection and hatching company offering a comprehensive portfolio of waterfowl, guinea fowl, and pigeon breeding stock and commercial products. The core product portfolio includes six species: Muscovy duck (Canard de Barbarie), Mule duck, Pekin duck, Guinea fowl (Pintade), Pigeon, and Goose, each with multiple breeder lines and broiler/cmercial variants. Supporting the genetic products is the Weezyou service platform providing technical support and the LUNIX in ovo sexing technology for automated embryo sexing. Additional add-on services include beak treatment, claw treatment, Hatchbrood preparation, and vaccination services. The company operates incubation facilities in France (approximately 6 million eggs capacity across 3 sites) and has subsidiaries in China and Vietnam for local production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Weezyou: Service platform dedicated to duck, goose, pigeon and guinea fowl breeding offering technical documentation, articles, advice, tutorials and expert services
• LUNIX™
• Canedins
• Hytop
• Mirthys
• Natural Concept

Products and services

• Muscovy Duck Breeding Stock (Canedins R71L, R71E) White Muscovy duck breeding stock for commercial meat production and multiplier farmers. Canedins R71L (CZ x CK crossing) produces offspring with recommended slaughter weight of 5 kg (male) at 84 days and 2.75 kg (female) at 70 days, 18% fillet yield, and FCR of 2.6. Canedins R71E white ethical broiler line features live weight 4.94-5.17 kg, FCR 2.44-2.54, and 17.4% fillet yield.
• Mule Duck Breeding Stock (Hytop H85E/H95) White Mule duck breeding stock for foie gras producers and commercial meat operations. H85E/H95 autosexing line produced from CF80 autosexing x M15 crossing is suitable for foie gras production with liver weight of 580-590g in 20 meals. H85/H95 broiler variant reaches 4.05-4.40 kg weight to feed with FCR of 2.9-3.9 depending on crossing.
• Pekin Duck Breeding Stock (Star 53) Pekin duck breeder line (GL50 x GL30 crossing) for commercial meat producers, producing 287 eggs in 52 weeks with fertility of 91-92% and broiler offspring reaching 4.545 kg at 56 days with FCR of 2.49. Available globally including through Grimaud Vietnam for local Asian production.
• Guinea Fowl Breeding Stock (GALOR GI 543) GALOR GI 543 label and standard guinea fowl for commercial meat producers and gourmet/specialty markets. Grey plumage with predominantly black legs, producing 165 hatching eggs at 60 weeks with 75% hatchability. Suitable for slaughter at 70-77 days (1.63-1.77 kg) or label slaughter at 94 days (2.07 kg).
• Pigeon Breeding Stock (Mirthys PS 53, PS 45, PS 89) Pigeon breeder lines for meat pigeon production including PS 53 (productivity 15.6-16.2 squabs/couple/year, 635g live weight) and PS 45 (productivity 15-15.4 squabs/couple/year, high rusticity). Available varieties include White Mirthys, Colored Mirthys, and Magpie Mirthys. Genetic heritage preserved through genotyping with over 10,000 molecular markers.
• Goose Breeding Stock (G35, G36 / MG70 x FG70) Goose breeder lines for foie gras and meat operations including MG 70 x FG 70 crossing (77% fertility, 208 eggs in 4 layings) and broiler Gosling G35 reaching 4.6 kg live weight at start of force-feeding at 63 days with 64% carcass yield.
• LUNIX™ In Ovo Sexing Service AI-powered in ovo sexing technology that identifies duck embryo sex without invasive intervention before 10 days of incubation, reaching 10,000 eggs per hour with nearly 95% accuracy. First multi-strain in ovo sexing method for Muscovy and Mule ducks. Developed in collaboration with an egg processing partner combining AI-based eye color recognition (dark eyes = male, light eyes = female) with egg handling expertise. For hatchery operators and commercial producers.
• Weezyou Service Platform Digital service platform dedicated to animal production (ducks, geese, pigeons, guinea fowl) offering technical documentation, articles, advice, tutorials, and partner services for breeders. Available in multiple languages for multiplier farmers and commercial producers worldwide.
• Infrared Beak Treatment Service Non-invasive infrared technique to block cellular development of the bird's upper beak tip, reducing risk of pecking, cannibalism, and contamination while improving zootechnical results and animal welfare. Adapted in collaboration with Nova-Tech (USA). For hatcheries and commercial producers.
• Electrical Claw Treatment Service Electrical beam technique to block cellular development of claws, reducing animal nervousness, injuries between birds, and protecting handlers during manipulation. For hatcheries and commercial producers.
• Hatchbrood Service Customized service providing day-old birds with optimal starting conditions including controlled temperature, ventilation, lighting, feeding, and watering for maximum weight gain and homogeneity. For commercial producers receiving day-old ducklings, goslings, keets, and squabs.
• Vaccination Service Vaccination services for waterfowl including Parvovirosis, Derszy, Newcastle, Marek, and Gumboro diseases, performed by qualified personnel under controlled conditions. Supports avian influenza biosecurity protocols. For commercial producers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) improved through RFID monitoring and selection
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Groupe GrimaudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and holding structure for Grimaud Frères. Provides scientific department support, Genetech R&D platform with 35 multi-species researchers, and Natural Concept sustainability initiative.
• SYSAAF (French Poultry and Fish Breeders' Union)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner providing oversight and support for Grimaud Frères' selection programs.
• Nova-Tech (USA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS company working with Grimaud Frères to develop and adapt infrared beak treatment technology for ducks.
• Egg Processing Partner (unnamed)supportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner specializing in egg processing that collaborated with Grimaud Frères to develop LUNIX™ in ovo sexing technology combining AI with egg handling.
• Wageningen University (IMAGE Project)supportingTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped multi-species molecular marker panel including pigeons used by Grimaud Frères teams for genotyping parentage assignment.
• International Breeding PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGP flock farms positioned close to markets in low poultry-concentration areas to maintain proximity with clients and ensure supply continuity.
• Grimaud ChengducoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in China producing Muscovy, Mule and Pekin ducks. Received first GP placement for China in 2025.
• Grimaud PutiancoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in China producing Muscovy, Mule and Pekin ducks.
• Grimaud ShaanxicoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in China producing Muscovy, Mule and Pekin ducks.
• Grimaud VietnamcoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in Vietnam with hatcheries producing Pekin ducklings for local market. Phone: +84 91 925 10 95.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Maple Leaf Farms: Leading US duck processor and integrated producer. While primarily a processor rather than genetics supplier, it is a major North American duck customer comparable to Grimaud's commercial producer segment and represents regional demand for Grimaud's genetics in the US market.

Broad incumbents

• Cobb-Vantress: Major broiler chicken genetics company owned by Tyson Foods. While focused on chicken rather than waterfowl, it represents the global benchmark for vertically integrated poultry genetics selection programs and commercial breeding stock distribution.
• Hubbard (Aviagen): Slow-growing and colored broiler genetics subsidiary of Aviagen, with expertise in alternative poultry breeding relevant to specialty and welfare-focused markets. Comparable for the premium, slower-growing bird segment where Grimaud's ethical range competes.
• Aviagen: World-leading poultry genetics company (broilers, turkeys) owned by EW Group. While primarily focused on chicken and turkey genetics, its scale, R&D infrastructure, and customer relationships in commercial poultry make it a strategic comparable for Grimaud's breeding and commercialization approach.

Direct peers

• Groupe Michel (Mulard / Palmipèdes): French waterfowl producer and processor specializing in foie gras and duck meat products. Serves as both a downstream customer for Grimaud genetics and a competitor in integrated French waterfowl value chains.
• Hendrix Genetics: Multi-species animal genetics company (layers, turkeys, swine, salmon, trout) with established duck breeding programs under its traditional French heritage. Comparable in multi-species selection scale, R&D depth, and global distribution to Grimaud.
• Cherry Valley: British-origin Pekin duck genetics company with major operations in China, supplying breeding stock and commercial ducklings globally. Direct competitor to Grimaud in Pekin duck genetics and similar commercial segments.
• Orvia Group: French multi-species animal genetics group with waterfowl breeding programs including Pekin and Muscovy ducks. Closest direct European peer to Grimaud Frères, competing for similar European multiplier farmer and commercial producer customers.

Emerging players

• Huaguang Animal Husbandry: Chinese poultry genetics company with growing duck and broiler breeding programs. Directly comparable as a regional duck genetics competitor in China where Grimaud's four subsidiaries operate.

Others

• SYSAAF: French Poultry and Fish Breeders' Union providing scientific oversight and support to French genetic selection programs. Listed as a scientific partner to Grimaud but functions as an industry-wide support organization for competitors (Orvia, Hendrix France) as well.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Grimaud-Fr%C3%A8res/61557849657769
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/grimaud-freres-selection
• Instagraminstagram.com/grimaud_freres
• Xx.com/FreresGrimaud

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grimaud Brothers