Broiler Hatchery Maintains Advance

WASHINGTON - Apr 28/04 - SNS -- Broiler hatchery activity continued advancing in the United States during the week ending April 24, led higher by a good increase in the number of eggs set, according to the latest USDA data.

Commercial hatcheries in the 19-State weekly program set 213 million eggs in incubators. This was up 3% 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 173 million chicks for meat production. Placements were up 1% from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from December 28, 2003 through April 24, 2004 were 2.88 billion, up 2% from the same period a year earlier.

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