HDR1012000150020624961500Chickens & Eggs                                        
                                                                                
Released June 24, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service         
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office  
hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS  
Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:  NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.           
Estimates refer to April, May and June 1996.                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  May Egg Production up 2 percent                               
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.35 billion during May 1996, up 2 percent from     
the 6.25 billion produced in 1995.  Production included 5.35 billion table      
eggs and 997 million hatching egg type, of which 933 million were broiler-type  
and 64.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during May 1996     
averaged 295 million, up 1 percent from the average number of layers during     
May 1995.  May egg production per 100 layers was 2,151 eggs, compared with      
2,137 in May 1995.                                                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (6-96)                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on June 1, 1996, totaled 295 million, up one percent     
from a year ago.  The 295 million layers consisted of 242 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 50.1 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.67 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on June 1, 1996, averaged 69.4 eggs per     
100 layers, the same as last year.                                              
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.01 billion eggs  
during May, up 2 percent from May 1995.  The average number of layers during    
May, at 279 million, was  up 1 percent from the year earlier.                   
                                                                                
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing         
States.  These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for      
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the  
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the  
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State   
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg     
Production" report.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent                            
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during May totaled 38.5 million, up 3 percent from      
May 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 32.2 million on June 1, 1996, up          
4 percent from a year ago.                                                      
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 291,000 during May 1996, up 51 percent from  
the 193,000 of May 1995.                                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler Hatch Up 1 Percent                                 
                                                                                
The May 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 698 million, was 1 percent above  
May of the previous year. There were 571 million eggs in incubators on          
June 1, 1996, up 1 percent from a year earlier.                                 
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.78 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during May 1996, up 10 percent from May 1995.   
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                            United States, 1993-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1993       :      1994      :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     284,267          290,642           299,434           299,066     
Jan      :     284,398          290,041           299,084           299,513     
Feb      :     284,638          290,047           297,759           299,222     
Mar      :     284,405          290,719           296,796           299,066     
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293           297,367     
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548           295,262     
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705                       
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557                       
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837                       
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021                       
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459                       
Nov      :     288,875          297,134           295,562                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1995-96                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,516      6,534      5,568      5,559         948         975   
Jan        :   6,369      6,411      5,417      5,433         952         978   
Feb        :   5,714      5,971      4,854      5,053         860         918   
Mar        :   6,448      6,513      5,492      5,523         956         990   
Apr        :   6,177      6,254      5,238      5,295         939         959   
May        :   6,251      6,350      5,271      5,353         980         997   
Jun        :   6,010                 5,060                    950               
Jul        :   6,145                 5,179                    966               
Aug        :   6,146                 5,191                    955               
Sep        :   5,990                 5,063                    927               
Oct        :   6,260                 5,301                    959               
Nov        :   6,232                 5,298                    934               
During Year:  74,258     38,033     62,932     32,216      11,326       5,817   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                    and Forced Molt, United States, April-May                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Apr              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 295,293      297,367         101     
    Table Egg Type                       : 242,812      244,346         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,481       53,021         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,578       50,303         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,903        2,718          94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Apr (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,092        2,103         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,157        2,167         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,789        1,809         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,761        1,781         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,274        2,318         102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Apr       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,177        6,254         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,238        5,295         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     939          959         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     873          896         103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      66           63          95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on May 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 294,697      295,805         100     
    Table Egg Type                       : 242,070      242,969         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,627       52,836         100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,769       50,150         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,858        2,686          94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on May 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.1         69.2       100     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.0         71.2       100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      60.2         60.3       100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      59.2         59.5       101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      77.2         76.3        99     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, May 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       5.7          5.5        96     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      22.4         22.2        99     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                and Forced Molt, United States, May-June 1995-96                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During May                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  292,548      295,262        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  240,248      242,448        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,300       52,814        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,477       50,130        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,823        2,684         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During May  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,137        2,151        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,194        2,208        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,874        1,888        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,847        1,861        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,338        2,385        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During May       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,251        6,350        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,271        5,353        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      980          997        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      914          933        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       66           64         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jun 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  290,806      294,667        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  238,853      241,900        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   51,953       52,767        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,174       50,097        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,779        2,670         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jun 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.4         69.4        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         71.2        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.8         61.0        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.9         60.3        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.3         75.6        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Jun 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      6.0          4.7         78     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.0         22.4         97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
                 Molt, April-May, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Apr                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  279,036      281,510        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  230,022      231,980        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,014       49,530        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,187       46,908        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,827        2,622         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Apr  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,091        2,103        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,155        2,166        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,791        1,809        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,760        1,780        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,299        2,326        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Apr       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,836        5,921        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,958        5,025        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      878          896        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      813          835        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       65           61         94     
                                         :                                      
Layers on May 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  278,513      279,959        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,412      230,570        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,101       49,389        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,326       46,799        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,775        2,590         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on May 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.1         69.2        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.0         71.1        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.2         60.5        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.2         59.6        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     77.0         75.9         99     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, May 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.7          5.6         98     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.4         22.3        100     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Apr           (1,000) :   17,866       16,826         94     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Apr                      (1,000) :    2,788        2,578         92     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, May 1                   (1,000) :   71,580       71,275        100     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Apr         (1,000) :   20,173       17,534         87     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
                 Molt, May-June, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During May                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  276,614      279,267        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  227,824      230,005        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,790       49,262        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,047       46,672        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,743        2,590         94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During May  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,135        2,151        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,192        2,207        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,867        1,890        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,839        1,862        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,333        2,394        103     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During May       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,905        6,007        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,994        5,076        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      911          931        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      847          869        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       64           62         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jun 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  275,135      278,539        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  226,671      229,424        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,464       49,115        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,761       46,535        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,703        2,580         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jun 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.3         69.4        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.2         71.2        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.5         61.1        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.6         60.3        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.0         75.3        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Jun 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      6.1          4.7         77     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.9         22.6         99     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During May           (1,000) :   17,828       18,958        106     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During May                      (1,000) :    3,142        3,121         99     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Jun 1                   (1,000) :   72,425       72,271        100     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During May         (1,000) :   18,836       22,676        120     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                   and United States, During April 1995-96 1/                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,641       4,254     11,630    10,826     1,917       1,921    
AR         :    5,890       5,345     15,965    15,497     1,867       1,839    
CA         :   24,962      24,061     25,536    24,600     2,091       2,146    
CO         :    2,656       2,625      3,217     3,228     2,114       2,076    
CT         :    3,412       3,338      3,596     3,479     2,225       2,213    
FL         :    8,284       8,240      8,927     8,915     2,196       2,120    
GA         :   10,184      10,721     17,921    18,709     2,070       2,036    
HI         :      712         729        758       767     2,058       1,950    
IL         :    2,581       3,001      2,774     3,189     2,199       2,320    
IN         :   20,374      20,321     21,255    21,378     2,150       2,138    
IA         :   16,125      17,678     16,990    18,542     1,954       2,184    
ME         :    4,890       4,735      5,049     4,878     2,238       2,378    
MD         :    3,388       3,799      3,953     4,243     2,125       2,027    
MI         :    4,968       4,825      5,250     5,091     2,205       2,163    
MN         :   10,218      11,145     11,078    11,990     2,130       2,135    
MS         :    2,348       2,333      6,254     6,382     1,951       1,927    
MO         :    5,765       5,330      6,628     6,466     2,127       2,057    
NE         :    8,875       8,846      9,025     8,996     2,223       2,175    
NY         :    3,379       3,675      3,727     4,002     2,254       2,299    
NC         :    6,400       5,819     14,030    13,506     1,882       1,873    
OH         :   21,878      23,159     22,256    23,644     2,233       2,233    
OK         :    2,043       1,963      3,761     3,841     1,968       1,927    
OR         :    2,366       2,535      2,572     2,735     2,216       2,267    
PA         :   20,135      19,635     21,520    20,983     2,207       2,221    
SC         :    4,071       3,673      5,065     4,676     2,152       2,117    
SD         :    1,553       1,925      1,793     2,138     2,157       2,097    
TX         :   12,381      13,378     15,776    16,581     2,035       2,051    
VA         :    1,632       1,657      3,841     3,804     1,953       1,866    
WA         :    5,279       4,921      5,560     5,164     2,176       2,246    
WI         :    2,787       2,765      3,329     3,260     2,133       2,147    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  224,177     226,431    279,036   281,510     2,091       2,103    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,425      11,042     16,257    15,857     2,098       2,100    
           :                                                                    
US         :  235,602     237,473    295,293   297,367     2,092       2,103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                    and United States, During May 1995-96 1/                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,523       4,056     11,460    10,566     1,990       1,978    
AR         :    5,920       5,219     15,999    15,204     1,919       1,934    
CA         :   24,348      23,744     24,893    24,300     2,141       2,202    
CO         :    2,548       2,676      3,083     3,272     2,206       2,109    
CT         :    3,379       3,345      3,561     3,483     2,218       2,239    
FL         :    7,930       8,126      8,597     8,799     2,233       2,103    
GA         :    9,839      10,296     17,556    18,225     2,079       2,052    
HI         :      711         719        760       754     2,034       1,956    
IL         :    2,595       3,027      2,795     3,222     2,147       2,390    
IN         :   20,445      20,214     21,303    21,288     2,187       2,189    
IA         :   15,978      17,667     16,856    18,538     2,005       2,249    
ME         :    4,810       4,735      4,972     4,883     2,333       2,458    
MD         :    3,362       4,036      3,899     4,501     2,231       2,155    
MI         :    4,938       4,809      5,216     5,071     2,263       2,217    
MN         :   10,283      11,045     11,143    11,875     2,145       2,189    
MS         :    2,299       2,290      6,247     6,409     2,017       1,982    
MO         :    5,770       5,348      6,670     6,516     2,174       2,056    
NE         :    8,875       8,764      9,025     8,914     2,229       2,189    
NY         :    3,374       3,626      3,711     3,947     2,290       2,382    
NC         :    6,232       5,445     13,710    13,021     1,955       1,943    
OH         :   21,676      23,377     22,058    23,866     2,298       2,258    
OK         :    2,023       1,960      3,761     3,833     2,021       2,009    
OR         :    2,493       2,503      2,698     2,703     2,372       2,257    
PA         :   19,695      19,250     21,040    20,565     2,243       2,256    
SC         :    4,069       3,674      5,040     4,718     2,222       2,120    
SD         :    1,608       1,945      1,855     2,160     2,226       2,145    
TX         :   12,548      13,214     15,951    16,411     2,019       2,090    
VA         :    1,580       1,659      3,815     3,805     2,018       1,971    
WA         :    5,349       4,938      5,631     5,173     2,255       2,300    
WI         :    2,779       2,745      3,309     3,245     2,115       2,219    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  221,979     224,452    276,614   279,267     2,135       2,151    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,072      11,142     15,934    15,995     2,171       2,144    
           :                                                                    
US         :  233,051     235,594    292,548   295,262     2,137       2,151    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                April 1995-96 1/                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    223        208        100         91       123       117    
AR             :    298        285        126        106       172       179    
CA             :    534        528                                              
CO             :     68         67                                              
CT             :     80         77                                              
FL             :    196        189        185        176        11        13    
GA             :    371        381        227        228       144       153    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     61         74         60         73         1         1    
IN             :    457        457        447        448        10         9    
IA             :    332        405                                              
ME             :    113        116                                              
MD             :     84         86         75         79         9         7    
MI             :    116        110                                              
MN             :    236        256        226        245        10        11    
MS             :    122        123         53         49        69        74    
MO             :    141        133                                              
NE             :    201        196        201        196         0         0    
NY             :     84         92                                              
NC             :    264        253        139        125       125       128    
OH             :    497        528                                              
OK             :     74         74         48         46        26        28    
OR             :     57         62         55         60         2         2    
PA             :    475        466        458        449        17        17    
SC             :    109         99         91         82        18        17    
SD             :     39         44         39         44         0         0    
TX             :    321        340        272        288        49        52    
VA             :     75         71         37         35        38        36    
WA             :    121        116                                              
WI             :     71         70                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,836      5,921      4,958      5,025       878       896    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    341        333        280        270        61        63    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,177      6,254      5,238      5,295       939       959    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                 May 1995-96 1/                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    228        209        100         90       128       119    
AR             :    307        294        125        108       182       186    
CA             :    533        535                                              
CO             :     68         69                                              
CT             :     79         78                                              
FL             :    192        185        180        172        12        13    
GA             :    365        374        216        218       149       156    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     60         77         59         76         1         1    
IN             :    466        466        456        456        10        10    
IA             :    338        417                                              
ME             :    116        120                                              
MD             :     87         97         78         90         9         7    
MI             :    118        112                                              
MN             :    239        260        229        249        10        11    
MS             :    126        127         53         49        73        78    
MO             :    145        134                                              
NE             :    201        195        201        195         0         0    
NY             :     85         94                                              
NC             :    268        253        140        121       128       132    
OH             :    507        539                                              
OK             :     76         77         49         47        27        30    
OR             :     64         61         62         59         2         2    
PA             :    472        464        454        447        18        17    
SC             :    112        100         94         82        18        18    
SD             :     41         46         41         46         0         0    
TX             :    322        343        271        287        51        56    
VA             :     77         75         37         36        40        39    
WA             :    127        119                                              
WI             :     70         72                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,905      6,007      4,994      5,076       911       931    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    346        343        277        277        69        66    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,251      6,350      5,271      5,353       980       997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1995-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1995       :      1996       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       4.6               3.7              23.9              24.3       
Feb     :       6.3               5.5              23.7              22.4       
Mar     :       4.8               3.5              24.1              23.4       
Apr     :       3.4               2.0              23.8              22.9       
May     :       5.7               5.5              22.4              22.2       
Jun     :       6.0               4.7              23.0              22.4       
Jul     :       4.9                                23.4                         
Aug     :       4.1                                23.4                         
Sep     :       4.6                                23.3                         
Oct     :       5.1                                23.3                         
Nov     :       3.6                                24.2                         
Dec     :       2.2                                25.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                       and United States, June 1995-96 1/                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       4.0               3.0              11.0              9.5      
AR        :       6.5               3.5              10.0              9.5      
CA        :      11.0               5.0              40.5             43.0      
CO        :       8.0               2.0              18.0             26.0      
CT        :       5.0               4.0              11.0              9.0      
FL        :      11.5              12.5              35.0             42.0      
GA        :       7.5               5.5              18.5             21.5      
HI        :      11.0              10.0              46.0             50.0      
IL        :      15.0               6.5              26.5             26.0      
IN        :       2.5               3.5              32.0             21.0      
IA        :       9.0               5.0              32.0             32.0      
ME        :       1.0               1.0                .5               .0      
MD        :       5.0               4.5              25.0             50.5      
MI        :       2.5               7.0              20.0             18.0      
MN        :       5.0               4.0              26.0             24.5      
MS        :       3.0               4.0              15.5             13.5      
MO        :       3.5               4.0              21.0             27.0      
NE        :       9.5               5.5              19.0             30.5      
NY        :       2.0               3.0               7.0              4.5      
NC        :       2.0               3.5              14.5             10.5      
OH        :       5.5               3.5              15.5              8.5      
OK        :       3.0               4.0              14.0             14.5      
OR        :       5.5               9.0              38.0             35.0      
PA        :       4.0               6.0              23.0             19.0      
SC        :       6.5               3.5              33.5             33.0      
SD        :        .5               5.5              15.5             39.5      
TX        :       9.0               4.5              20.5             21.0      
VA        :       2.5               2.5              16.5             11.5      
WA        :       5.0               7.5              43.5             40.5      
WI        :       9.0               2.5              28.5             26.5      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       6.1               4.7              22.9             22.6      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       4.0               4.5              24.8             18.5      
          :                                                                     
US        :       6.0               4.7              23.0             22.4      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Hatchery Production:  Eggs in Incubators, Chicks Hatched,           
            and Placements by Type, United States, May-June 1995-96             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jun 1            :    30,990       32,237       104     
  Chicks Hatched During May              :    37,482       38,477       103     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru May            :   173,643      177,916       102     
  Pullets Hatched During May for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       193          291       151     
    7-18 Months Earlier  1/              :     3,119        2,951        95     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jun 1            :   564,587      571,385       101     
  Chicks Hatched During May              :   692,004      698,176       101     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru May            : 3,297,836    3,385,782       103     
  Pullets Hatched During May for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,135        6,776       110     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    54,930       55,356       101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Nov 1994 through Oct 1995.              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Feb 1995 through Oct 1995.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                                 June 1, 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    3,996        4,534        113     
E North Central                          :    7,881        8,573        109     
W North Central                          :    6,551        6,022         92     
South Atlantic                           :    4,983        4,836         97     
South Central                            :    2,843        3,313        117     
West                                     :    4,736        4,959        105     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   30,990       32,237        104     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
Regional Listing:                                                               
North Atlantic  = CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT.                           
E North Central = IL, IN, MI, OH, WI.                                           
W North Central = IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD.                                   
South Atlantic  = DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV.                               
South Central   = AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX.                               
West            = AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY.           
                                                                                
                                                                                
              Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State and United States,             
                                   May 1995-96                                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              May               :             Jan-May             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,417      1,001       71        5,743       4,655       81    
FL           :   1,097      1,367      125        4,973       5,561      112    
GA           :   2,138      2,275      106        9,128      10,706      117    
IN           :   7,954      8,196      103       35,364      38,113      108    
IA           :   3,070      3,760      122       17,485      16,215       93    
KS           :     182        265      146        1,132       1,255      111    
MN           :   2,335      2,178       93       10,651      10,652      100    
MO           :     611        414       68        2,407       1,624       67    
PA           :   3,930      4,410      112       17,094      19,635      115    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  14,748     14,611       99       69,666      69,500      100    
             :                                                                  
US           :  37,482     38,477      103      173,643     177,916      102    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
      :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:   1994   :  1995   :  1996  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1995  :          :         :        :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 33,236   32,375   31,547     97     33,236     32,375   31,547     97   
Feb   : 31,086   32,745   34,652    106     64,322     65,120   66,199    102   
Mar   : 33,489   36,021   37,687    105     97,811    101,141  103,886    103   
Apr   : 35,657   35,020   35,553    102    133,468    136,161  139,439    102   
May   : 35,322   37,482   38,477    103    168,790    173,643  177,916    102   
Jun   : 31,985   34,948                    200,775    208,591                   
Jul   : 29,613   29,554                    230,388    238,145                   
Aug   : 31,295   31,434                    261,683    269,579                   
Sep   : 31,587   33,578                    293,270    303,157                   
Oct   : 32,066   33,384                    325,336    336,541                   
Nov   : 26,075   29,130                    351,411    365,671                   
Dec   : 30,166   30,797                    381,577    396,468                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1994-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   213      236     171       72      3,021       3,022       3,108   
Feb      :   184      251     238       95      3,041       3,009       3,089   
Mar      :   259      356     317       89      2,997       3,075       2,943   
Apr      :   277      317     252       79      3,033       3,106       2,920   
May      :   334      193     291      151      3,051       3,119       2,951   
Jun      :   257      234                       2,944       3,187       2,835   
Jul      :   254      235                       3,025       3,045       2,941   
Aug      :   309      163                       3,011       3,068       2,876   
Sep      :   315      292                       3,052       3,135       2,863   
Oct      :   278      309                       3,019       3,232       2,824   
Nov      :   240      124                       3,021       3,272       2,759   
Dec      :   125      231                       3,056       3,131       2,857   
         :                                                                      
Total    : 3,045    2,941                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For May 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Nov 1994 through Oct   
    1995.  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and       
    additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region                  
                       and United States, June 1, 1995-96                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       12,207              11,745                96         
E North Central    :        7,945               8,331               105         
W North Central    :       19,296              22,409               116         
South Atlantic     :      223,047             221,947               100         
South Central      :      279,381             283,665               102         
West               :       22,711              23,288               103         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      564,587             571,385               101         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                         and United States, May 1995-96                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              May               :             Jan-May             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  93,326     87,562       94       459,965     426,875      93    
AR           : 106,191    105,233       99       511,024     525,151     103    
DE           :  16,760     16,167       96        83,199      80,550      97    
FL           :  11,127      9,936       89        49,363      50,799     103    
GA           : 100,388    104,220      104       476,654     510,461     107    
MD           :  32,271     31,598       98       157,419     157,972     100    
MS           :  56,022     59,292      106       269,478     280,471     104    
NC           :  66,366     64,300       97       311,530     315,664     101    
PA           :  11,640     12,292      106        55,558      56,634     102    
SC           :  15,762     15,266       97        76,830      75,958      99    
TX           :  41,500     42,921      103       192,883     205,894     107    
VA           :  24,350     23,280       96       118,301     116,927      99    
CA TN & WV   :  35,501     36,199      102       168,523     171,571     102    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 611,204    608,266      100     2,930,727   2,974,927     102    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   6,132      6,314      103        28,281      28,606     101    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  74,668     83,596      112       338,828     382,249     113    
             :                                                                  
US           : 692,004    698,176      101     3,297,836   3,385,782     103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program.                
2/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Broiler Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
       :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:  1994  :  1995   :  1996   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1995  :        :         :         :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :618,111  662,476  686,359    104    618,111   662,476   686,359   104   
Feb    :558,589  600,116  646,085    108  1,176,700 1,262,592 1,332,444   106   
Mar    :640,316  679,090  689,719    102  1,817,016 1,941,682 2,022,163   104   
Apr    :627,050  664,150  665,443    100  2,444,066 2,605,832 2,687,606   103   
May    :658,689  692,004  698,176    101  3,102,755 3,297,836 3,385,782   103   
Jun    :647,342  670,839                  3,750,097 3,968,675                   
Jul    :646,875  673,687                  4,396,972 4,642,362                   
Aug    :654,309  674,068                  5,051,281 5,316,430                   
Sep    :626,706  638,901                  5,677,987 5,955,331                   
Oct    :620,679  654,221                  6,298,666 6,609,552                   
Nov    :600,055  627,767                  6,898,721 7,237,319                   
Dec    :663,595  691,193                  7,562,316 7,928,512                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1994-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,988    5,710   5,538      97     49,351      53,071      54,562   
Feb      :  5,452    5,484   5,916     108     49,810      53,563      54,522   
Mar      :  6,334    6,161   6,374     103     50,568      53,808      55,178   
Apr      :  6,121    6,320   6,442     102     50,583      54,576      55,053   
May      :  6,266    6,135   6,776     110     50,432      54,930      55,356   
Jun      :  5,911    6,178                     51,552      55,297      56,528   
Jul      :  6,104    6,302                     51,343      55,376      56,585   
Aug      :  6,064    6,475                     51,667      54,965      55,803   
Sep      :  6,336    6,288                     51,076      54,183      55,584   
Oct      :  6,342    6,013                     51,743      54,433      55,781   
Nov      :  5,819    6,656                     51,798      54,649      55,921   
Dec      :  6,413    6,218                     52,380      54,720      56,222   
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,150   73,940                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,171    7,040   6,782      96                                      
Feb      :  6,762    7,180   7,167     100                                      
Mar      :  7,464    7,577   7,645     101                                      
Apr      :  7,284    7,835   7,664      98                                      
May      :  7,394    7,873   8,234     105                                      
Jun      :  7,382    7,485                                                      
Jul      :  7,146    7,730                                                      
Aug      :  7,290    7,850                                                      
Sep      :  7,545    7,730                                                      
Oct      :  7,959    7,301                                                      
Nov      :  7,251    7,784                                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,750                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,556   91,135                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For May 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Feb 1995 through Oct   
    1995.                                                                       
3/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Procedures and Reliability                                  
                                                                                
Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly  
               and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt     
is made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known      
contractor and independent producer who has over 30,000 table egg layers.       
Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated    
each month based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900 contractors,  
independent egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each     
month.  All known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information  
on a weekly and/or monthly basis.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late      
            reports or corrected data indicates a different level.              
Additionally, revisions needed after the monthly report will be made at the     
end of the marketing year and published in the annual summaries of "Layers and  
Egg Production" and "Hatchery Production".                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given    
                             adequate time to respond by mail.  Those that do   
not respond are phoned. Great care is exercised to ensure that all operations   
are accounted for during each survey period.  However, there are usually        
missing reports that must be accounted for in the estimates.                    
                                                                                
Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the          
reported data.  All data are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data  
are compared to their own past operating profiles and also to trends from       
other operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar   
operations or historical data. Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors   
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these     
errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data    
for consistency and reasonableness.                                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated    
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and       
research purposes.  The relationship of chicks hatched to chicken inventory     
and poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The disposition of egg-type     
chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary                
significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory         
inconsistent over time.                                                         
                                                                                
Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks      
expected from eggs sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report       
account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply       
flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the      
number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months        
before the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the      
January 1996 publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements went  
from 7-14 months earlier to 7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type cumulative       
potential placements of 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting  
and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements  
of egg-type hatching flocks.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on            
July 23, 1996.                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA     
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).     
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,      
D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is   
an equal employment opportunity employer.                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
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