Turkey Hatchery Slowdown

WASHINGTON - Apr 14/04 - SNS -- Turkey hatchery activity slowed considerable in the United States during March, with the USDA reporting a steep drop in both the number of eggs in incubators and poults placed.

Turkey eggs in incubators on April 1, 2004, in the United States totaled 30.3 million, down 5% from April 1 a year ago. Eggs in incubators were 4% above the March 2004 total of 29.1 million.

Regional changes from the previous year were: East North Central, down 2% at 4,772,000 eggs; West North Central, down 7% at 11,102,000; North and South Atlantic, up 1% at 9,644,000; South Central, down 10% at 2,475,000; and West, down 18% at 2,345,000 eggs in incubators.

The 23.9 million poults placed during March 2004 in the United States were down 4% from the number placed during the same month a year ago. Placements were up 4% from the February 2004 total of 22.9 million.

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