The latest UK poultry figures from Defra show meat production was up 3.3% compared with the same month last year.
Almost 100 million broiler chicks were placed in the UK in August 2026, alongside 3.6 million commercial layer chicks and 1 million turkey poults.
The figures also show that UK poultry meat production reached 172,100 tonnes during the month, with broiler meat accounting for 160,000 tonnes of the total.
A large and busy industry
These numbers give some idea of the scale of the poultry industry and the number of birds being managed across farms throughout the UK.
For poultry producers, getting the basics right is important, including providing suitable housing and bedding for birds.
About the figures
The statistics are published monthly by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and cover hatchery activity, poultry numbers and poultry meat production across the UK.
Defra notes that chick placings provide an indication of future poultry meat and egg production.
The latest figures are provisional and may be revised as further information becomes available.
NW Resources supplies a range of poultry bedding products for farmers and poultry producers, including wood fibre bedding and other virgin wood-based bedding materials.
Looking for bedding for your poultry housing? Take a look at our range.