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Turkey hatchery numbers show HPAI impact

U.S. turkey hatchery numbers were down in February. Those declines came as poultry producers continue to get hit hard by the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The USDA says there were 24.517 million turkey eggs in incubation at the start of March, down 1% on the year, while the number of poults hatched during February was 20.156 million head, 1% lower than last year.

Near-term numbers should remain relatively tight, with 18.416 million poults placed into meat production last month, a decrease of 1%.

The USDA sees 2025 turkey production at 4.925 billion pounds, with the next projection out April 10^th.