Broiler-Type Eggs Set In 19 Selected States Down Slightly

Commercial hatcheries in the 19-State weekly program set 213 million eggs in incubators during the week ending February 4, 2006. This was down slightly from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier.

Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 83 percent. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier.

Broiler Chicks Up 1 Percent

Broiler growers in the 19-State weekly program placed 174 million chicks for meat production during the week ending February 4, 2006. Placements were up 1 percent from the comparable week a year earlier.

Cumulative placements from January 1, 2006 through February 4, 2006 were 871 million, up 1 percent from the same period a year earlier.

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Source: USDA NASS - Broiler Hatchery Report - 8th February 2006