Broiler hatches during the month of June totaled 828.3 million chicks, up 3 percent from May and nearly the same count as a year ago. Broiler eggs in incubators as of Jul. 1, at 700.5 million eggs, were up almost 1 percent year over year, so we may see a YOY gain in July hatches of more than 1 percent.

The layer flock is still on the decline. The total of layers on hand in June was 382.4 million, down 3 percent from June 2019; the count of layers on hand started showing a YOY decline in January, and the YOY gap has been 3 to 4 percent since March. Egg-type eggs in incubators as of Jul. 1 were also down 3 percent from last year, indicating the industry is still comfortable with the smaller flock.

Not surprisingly, given the smaller number of hens laying eggs, table egg production has been down 4 to 6 percent per month since April. The volume of breaking stock processed plummeted in March and April—processed volume fell below 5.0 million pounds in April—and has been slow to show signs of bouncing back.

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Monthly broiler chick hatches by year


Source: USDA
Posted by: Information Services
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