WASHINGTON – Turkey eggs in incubators on March 1 in the U.S. totaled 26.9 million, down 4% from March 1, 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Eggs in incubators were up 1% from the Feb. 1 total of 26.8 million eggs.

Compared to the previous year, regional changes were: East North Central down slightly; West North Central, up 1%; North and South Atlantic, down 7%; and South Central and West, down 22%.

During February, turkey poults hatched in the U.S. totaled 21.3 million, down 7% from February 2009. Poults hatched were down 5% from the January 2010 total of 22.5 million poults. Regional changes from the previous year were: East North Central, down 11%; West North Central, up 2%, North and South Atlantic, down 10%; and South Central and West, down 26%.

During February 2010, the 20.7 million net poults placed in the U.S. were down 6% from the number placed during the same month in 2009. Net placements were down 5% from the January 2010 total of 21.8 million.