Solid Gain in Broiler Hatchery

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/-4 - SNS -- Broiler hatchery activity in the United States managed a solid increase during the week ending June 26, led upward by a rapid increase in the number of eggs set, according to the latest USDA report.

Commercial hatcheries in the 19-State weekly program set 212 million eggs in incubators. This was up 5% from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier.

Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84%. 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 175 million chicks for meat production. Placements were up 1% from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from December 28, 2003 through June 26, 2004 were 4.46 billion, up 2% from the same period a year earlier.

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