Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production
Description
Establishments classified under this industry are dedicated to the intensive raising of broilers, fryers, roasters, and other meat-type chickens for human consumption. These operations function as critical components of the poultry supply chain, focusing on rapid growth and efficient meat yield rather than eggs or ornamental purposes. Typical business activities involve providing comprehensive care including feeding, housing, health management, and genetic selection to maximize weight gain and product quality before slaughter. Operators range from large-scale commercial feeders utilizing highly automated systems to smaller family-run farms using traditional methods. Many establishments integrate housing, feeding, and processing facilities, while others specialize in broiler production and partner with separate processors for slaughter. The sector encompasses a diverse scale of operations, from small independent units producing thousands of birds annually to massive corporate conglomerates managing millions of animals. Land area varies significantly, with some farms confined to compact industrial sheds while others occupy extensive rural properties. These businesses rely heavily on modern veterinary science and nutritionists to ensure animal welfare and market readiness. Their output supports major food service networks, retail chains, and restaurants globally, forming an essential pillar of the agricultural economy. Environmental considerations play an increasing role in managing waste and emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals from a farm, ranch, or their natural habitats. The establishments in this sector are often described as farms, ranches, dairies, greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, or hatcheries. A farm may consist of a single tract of land or a number of separate tracts which may be held under different tenures. For example, one tract may be owned by the farm operator and another rented. It may be operated by the operator alone or with the assistance of members of the household or hired employees, or it may be operated by a partnership, corporation, or other type of organization. When a landowner has one or more tenants, renters, croppers, or managers, the land operated by each is considered a farm. The sector distinguishes two basic activities: agricultural production and agricultural support activities. Agricultural production includes establishments performing the complete farm or ranch operation, such as farm owner-operators and tenant farm operators. Agricultural support activities include establishments that perform one or more activities associated with farm operation, such as soil preparation, planting, harvesting, and management, on a contract or fee basis. Excluded from the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector are establishments primarily engaged in agricultural research (e.g., experimental farms) and government establishments primarily engaged in administering programs for regulating and conserving land, mineral, wildlife, and forest use. These establishments are classified in Industry 54171, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences; and Industry 92412, Administration of Conservation Programs, respectively. |
| 112 | Animal Production and Aquaculture 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Animal Production and Aquaculture subsector raise or fatten animals for the sale of animals or animal products and/or raise aquatic plants and animals in controlled or selected aquatic environments for the sale of aquatic plants, animals, or their products. The subsector includes establishments, such as ranches, farms, and feedlots, primarily engaged in keeping, grazing, breeding, or feeding animals. These animals are kept for the products they produce or for eventual sale. The animals are generally raised in various environments, from total confinement or captivity to feeding on an open range pasture. The industries in this subsector are grouped by important factors, such as suitable grazing or pasture land, specialized buildings, type of equipment, and the amount and types of labor required. Establishments are classified in the Animal Production and Aquaculture subsector when animal production (i.e., value of animals for market) accounts for one-half or more of the establishment's total agricultural production. Establishments with one-half or more animal production with no one animal product or family of animal products of an industry accounting for one-half of the establishment's agricultural production are treated as combination animal farming classified in Industry 11299, All Other Animal Production. |
| 1123 | Poultry and Egg Production 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in breeding, hatching, and raising poultry for meat or egg production. |
| 11232 | Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 112320. |
| 112320 | Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments classified under this industry are dedicated to the intensive raising of broilers, fryers, roasters, and other meat-type chickens for human consumption. These operations function as critical components of the poultry supply chain, focusing on rapid growth and efficient meat yield rather than eggs or ornamental purposes. Typical business activities involve providing comprehensive care including feeding, housing, health management, and genetic selection to maximize weight gain and product quality before slaughter. Operators range from large-scale commercial feeders utilizing highly automated systems to smaller family-run farms using traditional methods. Many establishments integrate housing, feeding, and processing facilities, while others specialize in broiler production and partner with separate processors for slaughter. The sector encompasses a diverse scale of operations, from small independent units producing thousands of birds annually to massive corporate conglomerates managing millions of animals. Land area varies significantly, with some farms confined to compact industrial sheds while others occupy extensive rural properties. These businesses rely heavily on modern veterinary science and nutritionists to ensure animal welfare and market readiness. Their output supports major food service networks, retail chains, and restaurants globally, forming an essential pillar of the agricultural economy. Environmental considerations play an increasing role in managing waste and emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations. |
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Classification References
- 01Establishments primarily engaged in raising chickens for egg production are classified in Industry 112310, Chicken Egg Production.
Index Items
Broiler chicken production
Chicken production (except egg laying)
Cornish hen production
Fryer chicken production
Roaster chicken production
How Item Can Help
The Warehouse Management System optimizes the flow of live chickens and processed parts by managing inventory levels and ensuring precise temperature control to maintain meat freshness.
Order Management System handles the coordination of diverse customer orders, including food service bulk requests and e-commerce sales, to streamline fulfillment from live animals to retail products.
Data Intelligence analyzes production data to predict demand fluctuations and identify inefficiencies in feed conversion rates, enabling data-driven decisions for cost reduction and quality improvement.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 112320.
National Chicken Council
The leading voice for the U.S. broiler chicken industry providing news, research, and market data.
USDA Economic Research Service
Government data on broiler production, pricing, and consumption trends managed by the USDA Economic Research Service.
Poultry Producers Association
A trade organization representing poultry producers in Canada with information on broiler farming operations and industry standards.
