Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 11/7/13

In the latest indication that chicken processors are continuing to expand, commercial hatcheries in the 19-state weekly program set 191 million eggs in incubators during the week ending Nov. 2, 2013, up 6 percent from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier.

Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84 percent. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier.

Broiler growers in the 19 State weekly program placed 156 million chicks for meat production during the week, up 3 percent from the comparable week a year earlier.

Cumulative placements from Dec. 30, 2012 through Nov. 2, 2013 for the 19 State total were 7.22 billion, up 1 percent from the same period a year earlier.

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