Broilers sets and placements started the year pointing towards tighter chicken supplies.

The USDA says 237.144 million broiler type eggs were set into incubators last week, below the previous week and down 1% on the year, as the industry continues to react to expectations for slower demand and higher imports.

Average hatchability remained just below 80%.

Placements of 187.143 million head into meat production were above the week before, but slightly less than last year, with most of those birds heading to market in February.

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