Strong Gain in Broiler Hatchery Activity

WASHINGTON - Mar 3/04 - SNS -- Broiler hatchery activity pulled well ahead of year earlier levels during the week ending February 28, judging from the latest data compiled by the USDA.

Commercial hatcheries in the 19-State weekly program set 210 million eggs in incubators. This was up 2% 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 19-State weekly program placed 168 million chicks for meat production. Placements were up 3% from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from December 28, 2003 through February 28, 2004 were 1.51 billion, up 2% from the same period a year earlier.

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