The chicken market news for 2024 reflects some notable shifts in broiler headcounts, hatchability, and evolving consumer preferences. As the year wrapped up, the total broiler headcount was reported to be 1.2% lower than 2023, despite the seasonal fluctuations that marked the year. This decline, however, highlights the industry’s adaptability in the face of challenging conditions, including the lowest hatchability average in the past five years.
Quarterly Shifts in Broiler Headcount
The first quarter of 2024 saw a 2.7% decrease in broiler headcounts compared to the same period in 2023. However, the numbers improved as the year progressed, with the second quarter showing a 1.7% decrease and the third quarter a more modest 0.7% decline. By the fourth quarter of 2024, the industry managed to achieve a 0.3% increase in headcount compared to Q4 of 2023. This positive shift was largely driven by a 3.5% increase in egg sets in Q3 and a 4.2% rise in Q4, which helped offset earlier setbacks.
Adjustments in Hatchery Practices and Bird Growth
The shift in egg sets was a strategic response to the poor hatchability in 2024 and the ever-changing consumer demand patterns. While hatcheries adjusted their set numbers, a notable change in the growth figures of broiler birds also emerged. Birds with live weights of 7.75 lbs. and below mirrored the overall trend, showing a decline in numbers compared to 2023. However, the most significant growth was seen in birds weighing 7.76 lbs. or more, which increased by 2.33%. This points to a market preference for larger birds, a trend that processors and breeders have increasingly targeted.
Weather, Disease, and Genetics: Influences on Growth Rates
Weather conditions and disease outbreaks in certain areas of the U.S. negatively impacted the growth rates of some flocks throughout 2024. However, processors reported that many birds continued to reach heavier live weights during the summer months, a testament to the resilience of the industry.
A key factor in this ongoing trend is the genetic improvements in broiler lines. From 2018 to 2022, one major line of broilers saw a 9.8% increase in weight by day 56. Despite occasional weather challenges, modern broilers are bred to be large, thanks to advancements in genetics and breeding techniques. This shift reflects the growing consumer demand for larger birds, driven by the popularity of certain chicken cuts, such as boneless chicken breasts.
Consumer Preferences: Boneless Chicken Breasts Remain King
The chicken market continues to be shaped by American consumer tastes, and boneless chicken breasts are leading the charge. As the most consumed animal protein in the U.S., chicken’s dominance is clear. In fact, per capita consumption of chicken is almost equal to the combined total of beef and pork.
Among the various cuts of chicken, boneless breast meat stands out as the most desirable, making up 23% to 30% of the carcass weight, depending on the age and brand of the bird. This cut is not only popular for its versatility, allowing it to be eaten in a variety of forms (from cooked breasts to nuggets or boneless wings), but it also aligns with the breeding patterns in the industry. The increased demand for larger birds, especially those with substantial breast meat, has been a key factor in the rise of heavier broilers, particularly those weighing 7.76 lbs. or more.
Looking Ahead: Evolving Trends in the Chicken Market
As we move into 2025, the chicken market will continue to be shaped by consumer preferences for larger, more versatile cuts of chicken, such as boneless breasts, as well as by the adaptability of the industry in addressing challenges related to hatchability and broiler growth rates. The adjustments made in 2024, including strategic shifts in hatchery practices and bird growth targets, reflect the industry’s commitment to meeting consumer demand for high-quality chicken products, even in the face of ongoing challenges.
The evolving trends in the chicken market underscore the dynamic nature of the industry and its ability to adjust to changing conditions and consumer preferences. As we head into 2025, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to develop and shape the future of the broiler and chicken meat market.
Written by Elsi Rodewald
