Eggs set in 19-state weekly programme down

Commercial hatcheries in the 19-state weekly programme set 215 million eggs in incubators during the week ending June 14, the USDA reported.

The figure was 1 percent less from the eggs set corresponding week last year. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84 percent.

Broiler growers in the programme placed 179 million chicks for meat production during the week ending June 14. Placements were less than the same week last year.

Cumulative placements from December 30, 2007 through June 14, 2008 were 4.28 billion, up 1 percent year-on-year.