Turkey hatchery Activity Slows

WASHINGTON - Oct 14/-04 - SNS -- Turkey hatchery activity was down at the start of October, with fewer eggs in incubators and a smaller number of poults placed than last year, according to the USDA.

Turkey eggs in incubators on October 1, 2004, in the United States totaled 26.7 million, 5% below October 1 a year ago. Eggs in incubators were 5% below the September 2004 total of 28.3 million eggs.

Regional changes from the previous year were: East North Central down 1% at 4,345,000 eggs; West North Central down 6% at 10,533,000; North and South Atlantic down 5% at 8,092,000; South Central down 11% at 2,079,000; and West up 5% at 1,695,000 eggs in incubators.

The 21.3 million poults placed during September 2004 in the United States were down 4% from the number placed during the same month a year ago. Placements were down 10% from the August 2004 total of 23.7 million.

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