Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 11/14/14


USDA reported both egg sets and broiler-type chicks placed for meat production in the United States during the week ended Nov. 8 rose by 3 percent, an indication that breeder productivity issues over the past year have improved.

Hatcheries in the United States weekly program set 206 million eggs in incubators during the week, up 3 percent from a year ago. Hatcheries in the 19-state weekly program set 198 million eggs in incubators during the week, also up 3 percent from the year earlier.

Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week in the United States was 83 percent.

Broiler growers in the U.S. weekly program placed 166 million chicks for meat production during the week, up 3 percent from a year ago. Broiler growers in the 19-state weekly program placed 160 million chicks for meat production during the week, also up 3 percent.

Cumulative placements from Dec. 29, 2013, through Nov. 8 for the United States were 7.73 billion, up 1 percent from the same period a year earlier.

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