USDA: Broiler Hatchery

Broiler-Type Eggs Set Up 1 Percent

Commercial hatcheries in the 19 State weekly program set 196 million eggs in
incubators during the week ending December 29, 2012. This was up 1 percent
from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier. Average hatchability
for chicks hatched during the week was 85 percent. Average hatchability is
calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks
earlier. 

Broiler-Type Chicks Placed Down 2 Percent

Broiler growers in the 19 State weekly program placed 159 million chicks for
meat production during the week ending December 29, 2012. Placements were
down 2 percent from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements
from January 1, 2012 through December 29, 2012 were 8.41 billion, down 2
percent from the same period a year earlier.

Source: USDA