Cock-A-Doodle-Don’t

May 14, 2021

Here’s the (s)coop: A certain breed of rooster used for Tyson Foods’ breeding program is doing a fowl job. The eggs they fertilize hatch less often, and in the chicken meat business, hatchings mean money.

The president of Tyson’s poultry business said the breeding problem could be responsible for as much as half of the company’s problems in meeting the demand for its chicken. Yikes…

Rooster booster: The underperforming males will get booted from the breeding program, and Tyson plans to replace the rooster by fall with one they used previously. They’re getting re-hired.

Bad timing: Poultry products are becoming more scarce and more expensive, and the rooster issue is just part of the problem. Quarantine comfort food cravings, winter storms, restaurant reopenings, and labor issues are all contributing to the short supply.