Broiler hatchery numbers were mixed for the second week in a row.

The USDA says 239.583 million eggs were placed into incubators last week, slightly below both the previous week and a year ago, implying a tighter supply of chicks for meat production later this month.

The average hatchability held just under 80%.

Placements of broiler type chicks into meat production were a little bit above both last week and last year at 185.676 million head, which should mean a larger supply of broiler chickens in early spring.

…