October 19, 2011
 

US hatcheries broiler-type eggs set down 7%  

US commercial hatcheries have set 186 million eggs in incubators in the 19-state programme during the week ended October 8, down 7% from the eggs set the same week on-year, said USDA on October 12. 

Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 85%, the agency said.

Broiler growers in the program placed 150million chicks for meat production during the week ended October 8, down 8% from the same week on-year.

Cumulative placements from January 2 through October 8 were 6.70 billion, down 2% from the year-ago period.