U.S. total broiler slaughter data for the week ending March 21, 2026, is estimated by USDA’s Poultry Market News Service to be 170,237,000 broilers, a 2-percent increase from the same week a year earlier.
The 2-percent increase in slaughter compares with a 2-percent increase in eggs set in the United States, 10 weeks earlier, and a 2-percent increase in chicks placed 7 weeks earlier in the United States. USDA’s latest Broiler Hatchery report can be viewed here.
| U.S. Eggs Set, Chicks Placed, Broiler Slaughter Report | ||||||||||
| Week ending | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Broilers slaughtered | |||||
| change from | change from | 10 weeks previous | 7 weeks previous | |||||||
| 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | ||||||
| -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | |
| Feb | ||||||||||
| 14 * | 254,580 | 102 | 195,378 | 102 |
248,862 | 101 | 193,930 | 101 | 172,177 | 103 |
| 21 | 254,948 | 102 | 192,565 | 101 |
253,045 | 102 | 196,861 | 102 | 172,407 | 106 |
| 28 | 254,549 | 102 | 194,181 | 102 |
252,529 | 102 | 195,873 | 103 | 170,100 | 101 |
| Mar | ||||||||||
| 7 | 252,362 | 101 | 195,083 | 102 |
252,666 | 102 | 196,122 | 103 | 172,229 | 103 |
| 14 | 253,715 | 102 | 196,200 | 102 |
252,239 | 101 | 194,978 | 101 | 173,432 | 104 |
| 21 | 255,182 | 102 | 195,874 | 102 |
253,361 | 102 | 195,386 | 102 | 170,237 | 102 |
| 28 | — | — | — | — |
254,388 | 103 | 195,573 | 102 | — | — |
*President’s Day Holiday Weekend
The staff at NCC wishes you and your families a very blessed and happy Easter weekend next week! NCC’s Washington Report will return on Friday, April 10.
What Happened: The Trump administration on Tuesday delayed until December 31, 2027, the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems rule, a Biden-era regulation finalized just six days before President Trump took office. It was set to go into effect on July 1, 2026. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the delay following a review of the rule’s potential impact on the poultry industry and consumers.
Why it Matters: The rule would have effectively banned performance-based bonuses for chicken farmers, requiring all growers to be paid the same rate regardless of their hard work, investments, housing conditions, or bird welfare practices. AMS acknowledged that even a small drop in production efficiency under the rule could result in significantly higher broiler costs — ultimately hitting consumers at the grocery store.
NCC’s Take: NCC strongly supports the delay. “We applaud Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for their thoughtful review of this Biden-era regulation and for listening to chicken farmers across the country who oppose it,” said NCC President Harrison Kircher. “This regulation threatened to dismantle an efficient and successful industry model that has worked well for decades and helps keep chicken affordable.” NCC has long argued that performance-based pay rewards hard work, encourages the best bird welfare practices, and keeps experienced growers in the industry. Our press release supporting AMS’s announcement can be found here.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 yesterday to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be Homeland Security secretary, setting up a potential confirmation vote on the floor as early as next week. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) bucked the party line to vote against Mullin’s nomination, but Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) crossed party lines to support Mullin.
WHY IT MATTERS: The secretary leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for guarding the nation against terrorism, cyberattacks, and other threats — both foreign and domestic. DHS oversees Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The secretary sets enforcement priorities and policy direction for the entire immigration system.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: “I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open mind,” Sen. Fetterman said. “We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.”
WHAT’s NEXT? A confirmation vote from the full Senate could come as early as next week. Mullin’s nomination is likely to win confirmation, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
Sen. Mullin at the confirmation hearing. Source: Politico
WHAT HAPPENED: The Chicken Marketing Summit announced this week that nominations are now open for the 2026 Chicken Marketer of the Year award and will be accepted until May 1, 2026.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Chicken Marketer of the Year award highlights efforts by retail, foodservice, direct-to-consumer, producer/integrator organizations, and companies that have demonstrated exceptional marketing creativity and strategies to promote chicken consumption. The award recognizes the marketers helping drive chicken’s continued growth during what industry leaders are calling “the protein moment.” The 2026 winner will join the ranks of past winners, including Chick-fil-A, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Farmer Focus and Perdue Farms.
NCC’s TAKE: We encourage companies to submit nominations and help spread the word to colleagues and customers. To learn more and to submit a nomination, please click here.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: “The Chicken Marketer of the Year award gives us the unique opportunity to recognize companies that position chicken as the protein of choice for healthy and affordable meals and demonstrate how innovative marketing connects today’s protein-focused consumers with the versatility and value of chicken,” said Elizabeth Doughman, editor of WATT PoultryUSA and Poultry Future.
WHAT’s NEXT: Submit a nomination. The winning organization will be recognized during a trophy presentation at the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit, at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, on July 27-29, 2026. Registration is open with early savings available until May 31.
Jody Hallman, VP, integrated marketing, Perdue Foods, accepts the 2025 Chicken Marketer of the Year award.
