Modest Increase in Broiler Hatchery

WASHINGTON - Jun 9/04 - SNS -- Broiler hatchery activity managed a modest improvement during the week ending June 5, based on a good year over year increase in the number of broiler chicks placed.

In its latest report, the USDA said commercial hatcheries in the 19-State weekly program set 212 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 19-State weekly program placed 176 million chicks for meat production. Placements were up 2% from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from December 28, 2003 through June 5, 2004 were 3.93 billion, up 2% from the same period a year earlier.

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