Small Expansion in Broiler Hatchery Activity

WASHINGTON - May 8/02 - STAT -- There was a small expansion in broiler hatchery activity during the week ending May 4, according to data compiled by the USDA.

Commercial hatcheries in the 15-State weekly program set 187 million eggs in incubators. This was up slightly from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier.

Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 83%. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier.

Broiler growers in the 15-State weekly program placed 153 million chicks for meat production. Placements were up 1% from the comparable week in 2001. Cumulative placements from December 30, 2001 through May 4, 2002 were 2.70 billion, up 2% from the same period a year earlier.

Commercial hatcheries for the 19 States set a total of 209 million eggs in incubators. Broiler growers in the 19 States placed 173 million chicks for meat production. Cumulative placements from December 30, 2001 through May 4, 2002 in the 19 States totaled 3.05 billion, down 5% from last year.

                  United States Broiler Hatchery Activity
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                    :                        Week Ending
        State       :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    : Mar 30  :  Apr 6  : Apr 13  : Apr 20  : Apr 27  :  May 4
                    :  2002   :  2002   :  2002   :  2002   :  2002   :  2002
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                    :                         Thousand
Eggs Set            :*207,728  *212,481  *211,332  *210,753  *208,320   209,382
Chicks Placed       : 171,323   168,971  *169,584  *169,149  *172,590   172,782
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*   Revised.