Broiler Production Management for Potential and Existing Growers
Broiler production is the largest agricultural revenue generator in Maryland. A broiler is a chicken produced specifically for meat production. Broiler production includes small fryer- to large roaster-type chickens. Approximately 35 percent of cash farm income in Maryland was from broilers in 2016. Maryland ranked eighth nationally in the number of meat chickens produced, and tenth in the number of pounds of meat chickens.
Broiler production has grown dramatically in the past 28 years to $3.21 billion in 2016 compared to $426 million in 1986. Maryland ranks tenth in the nation in value of production. Five counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland are among the leaders in U.S. broiler production, ranking in the top 100. Contract broiler production is concentrated in all nine counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.