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Another solid year-over-year gain in broiler placements

Broiler hatchery numbers were up on the year, continuing to imply bigger chicken production in 2026.

The USDA says 252.754 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, dropping 2.911 million from the previous week, but rising 2% from a year ago, with average hatchability of 79.3%.

196.42 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, an increase of 530,000 on the week and 3% on the year.

For 2026 to date, placements are 2% ahead of 2025.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Sets: 27.157 million eggs, compared to 27.587 million the prior week; Placements: 22.308 million head, compared to 22.914 million the week before

Kentucky: Sets: 7.988 million eggs, compared to 8.153 million the prior week; Placements: 5.919 million head, compared to 6.18 million the week before

Missouri: Sets: 9.184 million eggs, compared to 8.767 million the prior week; Placements: 5.745 million head, compared to 5.085 million the week before

California/Tennessee/West Virginia: Sets: 16.313 million eggs, compared to 16.553 million the prior week; Placements: 14.083 million head, compared to 14.115 million the week before