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Chicken Trends  

Farmer's Report - February 13, 2026

 

Poultry market information is from the week of February 8, 2026.

This week, analysts reported that pricing on all sizes of breast meat, tenders and wings has remained unchanged, while pricing for legs and thighs increased again this week. Analysts expect pricing for breast, tenders and wings to be stable during the last half of February, then climb slightly higher. They also report that egg sets and placements were up compared to the same time last year. Analysts expect supply to be stable, and demand to continue to increase in the near term.

Broiler-Type Eggs Set in the
United States Up 2%

Per the weekly USDA Broiler Hatchery report, hatcheries in the United States weekly program set 254 million eggs in incubators during the week ending February 7, 2026, up 2% from a year ago. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week in the United States was 79.0%. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier.

Broiler-Type Chicks Placed in the United States Up 3%

Per the weekly USDA Broiler Hatchery report, broiler growers in the United States weekly program placed 196 million chicks for meat production during the week ending February 7, 2026, up 3% from a year ago. Cumulative placements from the week ending January 10, 2026 through February 7, 2026 for the United States were 979 million. Cumulative placements were up 2 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Whole Chicken & Cut-Up Parts

Analysts report that small bird and larger whole bird overall demand decreased slightly this week, and that pricing has also decreased slightly.

Boneless, Skinless Thighs

Analysts report that boneless, skinless thigh meat pricing has increased this week. Spot load offerings of boneless thigh meat are difficult to uncover, according to analysts who expect the market to steadily increase through February and into March.

Boneless, Skinless Breasts
& Chicken Tenderloins

Pricing for all sizes of breast meat was flat this week, according to analysts. Spot loads of jumbo breast meat can be uncovered, with pricing reflecting a tighter market, they reported. Demand by Further Processors and the retail segment for breast meat is steady, they said. Analysts expect the jumbo boneless breast market to increase during February and into March. According to industry analysts, some processors are being challenged with labor shortages, bird health issues and transportation issues.

According to analysts, jumbo and small tenders were stable this week, but they expect increases in the near term. Fresh jumbo spot loads have been uncovered, but discounts have diminished. Frozen products can be sourced, but with less attractive pricing, analysts said. They expect these markets to continue to climb higher through February and into March.

Wings

Pricing for all sizes of wings remained unchanged this week, according to analysts. Supplies of spot loads of jumbo fresh wings can be uncovered as football season has come to a close, they reported. Analysts also predict that due to medium bird processors taking their bird weights up to a jumbo size, the market will continue to see pressure in terms of consistent fresh medium wing availability. Demand from the retail segment and Further Processors for all sizes of wings is steady, according to analysts.

Commodity Trends at Your Fingertips: Dive into the Farmer's Report

The data contained in the Farmer’s Report is provided for informational purposes only, is not tailored to your specific purchasing needs, and is not intended as a substitute for any other publicly-available market data or information. The Farmer’s Report is compiled from the last-received market data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and/or other market sources, and is subject to change without notice. Nothing herein is the opinion of US Foods®. US Foods neither assumes any legal liability nor makes any warranty or guaranty, either express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy or usefulness of this information.