News

Broiler sets drop on week, but stay ahead of last year

Broiler hatchery numbers were mixed on the week while maintaining their faster than 2024 pace.

The USDA says 249.95 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, falling 2.344 million on the week, but rising 1% on the year with average hatchability at 78.7%.

191.677 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, an increase of 497,000 from the previous week and 2% above a year ago.

Those birds will start heading to market in mid-to-late April.

The cumulative 2025 placements pace is 3% ahead of 2024.

The USDA’s updated broiler production estimate is out April 10^th.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Sets: 26.634 million eggs, compared to 27.342 million the week before; Placements: 21.433 million head, compared to 21.383 million the prior week

Kentucky: Sets: 8.102 million eggs, compared to 8.085 million the week before; Placements: 5.758 million head, compared to 5.71 million the prior week

Missouri: Sets: 9.028 million eggs, compared to 9.008 million the week before; Placements: 5.548 million head, compared to 5.768 million the prior week

California/Tennessee/West Virginia: Sets: 16.116 million eggs, compared to 16.081 million the week before; Placements: 14.303 million head, compared to 13.684 million the prior week