Broiler chicken fertility rates from eggs could decline to just 60 per cent by 2050 from the current average of 78.6 per cent according to the most recent data from the United States Department of Agriculture.
New research by Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Poultry Science published a scientific report saying that would significantly change the economics of chicken production and, ultimately, raise costs for consumers.
The trends have been a concern for the industry for years, however, the study is believed to be the first to take such a close examination of the data and to forecast possible outcomes.
The broiler industry has seen “significant declines in essential production metrics, including hatchability, chick viability and production efficiency,” according to the analysis of data from the government’s National Agricultural Statistics Service from 2013 to 2022.
Among the points of concern, according to the research are declining fertility rates and high and rising consumer demand.]
To remain viable, the industry needs hatchability of 75 per cent, the report said.
As for demand, from 2013 to 2022 annual per capita chicken consumption increased from 82 to 101 pounds.
Chicken production increased from 18.85 to to 23.15 million tons.
