2023 U.S. hatchery numbers were mixed.

The USDA says broiler type chicks hatched and placements of those chicks into meat production were both down 1% from 2022 at 9.93 billion and 9.68 billion head, respectively.

There is the potential for some expansion this year as intended pullet placements for future domestic hatchery supply flocks climbed 5% to 103 million head.

The number of egg-type chicks was up 2% on the year at 638 million head, but intended placements were 2% lower to 2.71 million head, indicating at least some contraction.

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