Broiler-Type Eggs Set in the United States Up 3 Percent

Apr 01, 2015

Hatcheries in the United States weekly program set 217 million eggs in incubators during the week ending March 28, 2015, up 3 percent from a year ago. Hatcheries in the 19 State weekly program set 208 million eggs in incubators during the week ending March 28, 2015, up 3 percent from the year earlier. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week in the United States was 83 percent. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier.

Broiler-Type Chicks Placed in the United States Up 1 Percent

Broiler growers in the United States weekly program placed 174 million chicks for meat production during the week ending March 28, 2015, up 1 percent from a year ago. Broiler growers in the 19 State weekly program placed 168 million chicks for meat production during the week ending March 28, 2015, up 1 percent from the year earlier. Cumulative placements from the week ending January 10, 2015 through March 28, 2015 for the United States were 2.10 billion. Cumulative placements were up 3 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Source: USDA

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.