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A Survey of Commercial Turkey Hatcheries in the United States

Department of Poultry Science, Box 7608, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7608; Phone: (919) 515-5554; FAX: (919) 515-7070

Correspondence: J. L. Grimes

The objective of this survey was to determine hatchery practices and production variables for commercial turkey hatcheries in the United States to help identify areas that need further research and Extension education. This survey was conducted using the USDA NPIP mailing list as an address source. Survey respondents set a total of 166.5 million eggs in 1994. Total hatch equaled 127.4 million poults for a 76.5% hatchability of total eggs set (86.7% hatch of fertile). Poults were removed from incubators at 27.6 days of incubation. Mean placement occurred 22.7 hr following hatch but varied from 4 to 48 hr. Reported mean setter dry bulb (DB), relative humidity (RH), and wet bulb (WB) setting were 99.2° F, 51.3%, and 84.5°F respectively, but considerable variability occurred. Hatcher means for DB, RH, and WB were 98.2°F, 70.3%, and 88.2°F respectively, also with considerable variability. Other factors reported include egg sanitation, egg handling practices, first week poult mortality, and length of breeder hen lay period.

Key Words: Hatchery practices • incubation conditions • turkey