News

Broiler sets up, placements down

Broiler hatchery numbers were narrowly mixed last week.

The USDA says sets of 240.59 million broiler type eggs into incubators were up slightly on both the week and the year, implying a slight increase in broiler supplies in late February. The average hatchability declined fractionally, remaining just below 80%.

Placements of broiler chicks into meat production totaled 185.781 million head, a modest decrease from both the previous week and a year ago, pointing towards a tighter supply of market ready birds starting in this spring.

The USDA’s updated annual broiler production projection is out February 8^th.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Sets: 24.781 million eggs, compared to 24.508 million a week ago; Placements: 21.418 million head, compared to 22.073 million last week

Kentucky: Sets: 6.842 million eggs, compared to 6.768 million a week ago; Placements: 5.448 million head, compared to 5.316 million last week

Missouri: Sets: 8.593 million eggs, compared to 8.584 million a week ago; Placements: 5.285 million head, compared to 5.706 million last week

California/Tennessee/West Virginia: Sets: 13.434 million eggs, compared to 13.325 million a week ago; Placements:12.48 million head, compared to 11.87 million last week