News

Broiler sets, placements extend downward trend

Broiler sets and placements continue to point to tighter supplies of chicken later this year.

The USDA says set of broiler type eggs into incubators last week were 224.458 million eggs, down on the week and 3% lower than a year ago. Hatchability did decline slightly, while still holding above 80%.

Placements of broiler type chicks into meat production were 176.764 million head, slightly less than last week and 5% below a year ago.

The industry is monitoring the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and the potential for further declines in production.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Sets: 21.746 million eggs, compared to 23.07 million a week ago; Placements: 18.934 million head, compared to 19.015 million last week

Kentucky: Sets: 5.959 million eggs, compared to 6.291 million a week ago; Placements: 5.022 million head, compared to 5.077 million last week

Missouri: Sets: 8.398 million eggs, compared to 8.328 million a week ago; Placements: 5.315 million head, compared to 5.273 million last week

California/Tennessee/West Virginia: Sets: 12.568 million eggs, compared to 13.583 million a week ago; Placements: 12.078 million head, compared to 11.735 million last week