Chickens
and Eggs
 
National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
 
Released May 24, 1999, 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. For information on "hatch" call Tom Kruchten at (202)
690-4870, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
 
 
 
                 April Egg Production Up 3 Percent
 
U.S. egg production totaled 6.77 billion during April 1999, up 3 percent
from the 6.60 billion produced in 1998. Production included 5.69 billion
table eggs and 1.08 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.01 billion were
broiler-type and 67.0 million were egg-type. The total number of layers
during April 1999 averaged 321 million, up 3 percent from the total
average number of layers during April 1998. April egg production per 100
layers was 2,109 eggs, down fractionally from 2,117 eggs in April 1998.
 
 
Pou 1-1  (5-99)
 
 
 
 
 
 
All layers in the U.S. on May 1, 1999, totaled 320 million, up 3 percent
from a year ago. The 320 million layers consisted of 261 million layers
producing table or commercial type eggs, 56.8 million layers producing
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.77 million layers producing egg-type
hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on May 1, 1999, averaged 69.5 eggs
per 100 layers, down fractionally from the 69.6 a year ago.
 
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg producing States produced 6.40 billion
eggs during April, up 2 percent from April 1998. The average number of
layers during April, at 303 million, was up 3 percent from a 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 8 Percent
 
Egg-type chicks hatched during April totaled 42.0 million, up 8 percent
from April 1998. Eggs in incubators totaled 35.4 million on May 1, 1999,
down 1 percent from a year ago.
 
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply
flocks by leading breeders totaled 287,000 during April 1999, down 14
percent from April 1998.
 
 
                   Broiler Hatch Up 4 Percent
 
The April 1999 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 734 million, was up 4
percent from April of the previous year. There were 635 million eggs in
incubators on May 1,1999, up 4 percent from a year earlier.
 
Leading breeders placed 7.04 million broiler-type pullet chicks for
future domestic hatchery supply flocks during April 1999, up 5 percent
from April 1998.
 
 
 
 
 
              All Layers:  Average Number on Hand During the Month,
                             United States, 1996-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1996       :      1997      :      1998       :      1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers
         :
Dec 1/   :     299,345          304,463           311,888           321,193
Jan      :     299,230          304,289           311,876           322,136
Feb      :     298,904          304,000           313,245           322,754
Mar      :     298,853          304,285           314,101           322,516
Apr      :     297,493          303,618           311,917           320,942
May      :     295,516          302,241           309,615
Jun      :     294,837          300,537           309,166
Jul      :     296,290          299,605           308,927
Aug      :     297,804          300,211           309,251
Sep      :     298,582          303,661           311,278
Oct      :     300,052          306,807           314,847
Nov      :     302,386          309,670           318,797
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.
 
 
 
 
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,
                             United States, 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1998   :   1999   :   1998   :   1999    :   1998    :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs
           :
Dec 1/     :   6,841      7,029      5,802      5,957       1,039       1,072
Jan        :   6,766      6,971      5,720      5,890       1,046       1,081
Feb        :   6,109      6,282      5,150      5,296         959         986
Mar        :   6,869      7,043      5,797      5,934       1,072       1,109
Apr        :   6,603      6,770      5,556      5,694       1,047       1,076
May        :   6,665                 5,584                  1,081
Jun        :   6,456                 5,433                  1,023
Jul        :   6,720                 5,674                  1,046
Aug        :   6,694                 5,655                  1,039
Sep        :   6,480                 5,480                  1,000
Oct        :   6,791                 5,746                  1,045
Nov        :   6,723                 5,695                  1,028
During Year:  79,717     34,095     67,292     28,771      12,425       5,324
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,
             and Forced Molt, United States, March-April 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   :   1998   :   1999   : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Mar                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          :314,101    322,516       103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :256,570    262,606       102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          : 57,531     59,910       104
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          : 54,854     57,005       104
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :  2,677      2,905       109
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Mar      :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :  2,187      2,184       100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  2,259      2,260       100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  1,863      1,851        99
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  1,836      1,823        99
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :  2,428      2,410        99
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Mar            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :  6,869      7,043       103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  5,797      5,934       102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  1,072      1,109       103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  1,007      1,039       103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     65         70       108
                                    :          :
Layers on Apr 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          :313,833    321,632       102
    Table Egg Type                  :          :256,185    261,353       102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          : 57,648     60,279       105
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          : 54,987     57,342       104
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :  2,661      2,937       110
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Apr 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :     71.3       71.1     100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     73.8       73.7     100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.0       59.7     100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.2       58.7      99
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     78.0       77.8     100
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers on Apr 1         :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      2.2        2.8     127
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     22.1       21.7      98
                                    :          :
Layers Sold for Slaughter During Mar:  1,000   : 16,652     15,898        95
                                    :          :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :
 Reason During Mar                  :  1,000   :  3,310      3,663       111
                                    :          :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :
 of Age, Apr 1                      :  1,000   : 88,552     94,468       107
                                    :          :
Pullets Added During Mar 2/         :  1,000   : 20,788     19,418        93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.
2/  Pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,
                and Forced Molt, United States, April-May 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   : 1998 1/  :   1999   : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Apr                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 311,917    320,942      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 254,002    261,015      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  57,915     59,927      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  55,258     57,068      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,657      2,859      108
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Apr      :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :   2,117      2,109      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,187      2,181      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,808      1,796       99
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,781      1,768       99
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,371      2,343       99
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Apr            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :   6,603      6,770      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,556      5,694      102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,047      1,076      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     984      1,009      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      63         67      106
                                    :          :
Layers on May 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 309,945    320,202      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 251,793    260,648      104
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  58,152     59,554      102
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  55,514     56,783      102
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,638      2,771      105
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on May 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :    69.6       69.5      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    71.8       71.7      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    60.0       59.9      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    59.1       59.0      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    79.4       78.3       99
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers, May 1           :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :     5.5        5.6      102
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :    20.0       21.8      109
                                    :          :
Layers Sold for Slaughter During Apr:  1,000   :  18,150     18,231      100
                                    :          :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed.   :          :
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :
 Reason During Apr                  :  1,000   :   4,341      4,070       94
                                    :          :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :
 of Age, May 1                      :  1,000   :  91,037     97,265      107
                                    :          :
Pullets Added During Apr 2/         :  1,000   :  21,917     24,203      110
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.
2/  Pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.
 
 
 
 
     Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced
              Molt, March-April, 30 Selected States, 1998-99 1/ 2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   :   1998   :   1999   : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Mar                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 296,894    304,620      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 243,673    249,268      102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,221     55,352      104
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,659     52,566      104
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,562      2,786      109
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Mar      :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :   2,189      2,184      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,260      2,257      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,866      1,854       99
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,838      1,824       99
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,420      2,405       99
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Mar            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :   6,499      6,652      102
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,506      5,626      102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     993      1,026      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     931        959      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      62         67      108
                                    :          :
Layers on Apr 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 296,804    303,522      102
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 243,481    247,824      102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,323     55,698      104
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,776     52,880      104
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,547      2,818      111
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Apr 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :    71.4       71.2      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    73.8       73.7      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    60.2       59.7       99
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    59.3       58.8       99
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    78.4       77.9       99
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers on Apr 1         :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :     2.3        2.9      126
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :    22.1       21.6       98
                                    :          :
Layers Sold for Slaughter During Mar:  1,000   :  15,598     15,256       98
                                    :          :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :
 Reason During Mar                  :  1,000   :   3,175      3,515      111
                                    :          :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :
 of Age, Apr 1                      :  1,000   :  83,235     89,314      107
                                    :          :
Pullets Added During Mar  3/        :  1,000   :  19,782     18,704       95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.
2/  Revised.
3/  Pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.
 
 
 
 
     Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced
                 Molt, 30 Selected States, April-May, 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   : 1998 2/  :   1999   : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Apr                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 294,694    303,094      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 241,172    247,716      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,522     55,378      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,980     52,637      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,542      2,741      108
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Apr      :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          :   2,119      2,112      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,188      2,182      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,807      1,797       99
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,779      1,769       99
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,360      2,335       99
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Apr            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :   6,244      6,400      102
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,277      5,405      102
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     967        995      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     907        931      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      60         64      107
                                    :          :
Layers on May 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 292,538    302,629      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 238,844    247,590      104
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,694     55,039      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  51,172     52,384      102
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,522      2,655      105
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on May 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :    69.7       69.6      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    72.0       71.7      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    59.9       60.0      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    59.0       59.1      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    79.4       78.4       99
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers, May 1           :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :     5.5        5.5      100
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :    20.1       21.8      108
                                    :          :
Layers Sold for Slaughter During Apr:  1,000   :  17,497     17,199       98
                                    :          :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :
 Reason During Apr                  :  1,000   :   4,155      3,919       94
                                    :          :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :
 of Age, May 1                      :  1,000   :  85,806     91,930      107
                                    :          :
Pullets Added During Apr 3/         :  1,000   :  20,953     23,287      111
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.
2/  Revised.
3/  Pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State
                     and United States, During March 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 1/   :     All Layers 1/
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1998    :  1999 2/   :  1998  : 1999 2/ :   1998    :  1999 2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----
           :
AL         :    4,184       3,824     10,939    10,786     1,975       1,975
AR         :    4,631       4,721     15,084    15,281     1,903       1,924
CA         :   24,589      25,036     25,280    25,710     2,215       2,217
CO         :    3,164       2,944      3,769     3,485     2,149       2,123
CT         :    3,234       2,918      3,400     3,097     2,324       2,293
FL         :    9,359      10,267      9,990    10,999     2,142       2,255
GA         :   11,808      11,580     21,199    21,226     2,142       2,129
HI         :      616         612        642       641     2,025       2,075
IL         :    3,009       2,790      3,292     3,081     2,339       2,272
IN         :   21,092      21,384     21,800    22,148     2,239       2,230
IA         :   22,177      23,713     23,038    24,665     2,192       2,287
ME         :    4,589       4,706      4,717     4,827     2,438       2,486
MD         :    2,932       3,128      3,330     3,485     2,372       2,324
MI         :    5,009       5,640      5,282     5,923     2,276       2,181
MN         :   11,220      11,483     11,995    12,208     2,276       2,146
MS         :    1,723       1,751      6,790     6,941     2,003       2,046
MO         :    5,294       5,189      6,688     6,612     2,243       2,238
NE         :   10,325      10,744     10,475    10,894     2,186       2,185
NY         :    3,297       3,457      3,529     3,724     2,380       2,390
NC         :    3,946       3,742     11,210    11,633     1,945       1,951
OH         :   27,497      30,094     28,135    30,805     2,278       2,204
OK         :    2,108       1,956      3,977     4,104     1,936       1,974
OR         :    2,809       2,779      2,985     2,950     2,412       2,271
PA         :   20,898      21,376     22,248    22,790     2,319       2,326
SC         :    3,707       3,832      4,752     4,866     2,189       2,076
SD         :    2,053       1,913      2,251     2,153     2,355       2,276
TX         :   13,432      13,422     17,374    17,483     2,187       2,162
VA         :    1,609       1,474      3,663     3,680     1,966       1,984
WA         :    4,949       4,695      5,072     4,815     2,317       2,334
WI         :    3,373       3,123      3,988     3,608     2,207       2,273
           :
30 Sts     :  238,633     244,293    296,894   304,620     2,189       2,184
           :
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,758      12,281     17,207    17,896     2,150       2,185
           :
US         :  250,391     256,574    314,101   322,516     2,187       2,184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg
    flocks regardless of size.
2/  Revised.
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State
                     and United States, During April 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 1/   :     All Layers 1/
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1998    :    1999    :  1998  :  1999   :   1998    :    1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----
           :
AL         :    4,241       3,707     10,980    10,676     1,903       1,911
AR         :    4,403       4,473     14,772    15,069     1,848       1,891
CA         :   24,475      24,433     25,160    25,129     2,134       2,089
CO         :    3,145       2,919      3,749     3,458     2,134       2,140
CT         :    2,929       2,952      3,093     3,134     2,199       2,170
FL         :    9,430      10,008     10,070    10,719     2,066       2,090
GA         :   11,684      11,201     21,183    20,913     2,068       2,018
HI         :      613         613        638       643     2,010       2,037
IL         :    3,110       3,049      3,404     3,337     2,124       2,158
IN         :   20,760      21,198     21,443    21,934     2,197       2,156
IA         :   22,082      24,470     22,937    25,398     2,162       2,205
ME         :    4,582       4,577      4,704     4,694     2,317       2,407
MD         :    2,862       3,073      3,263     3,458     2,237       2,227
MI         :    4,948       5,385      5,202     5,656     2,121       2,161
MN         :   11,208      11,590     11,981    12,303     2,203       2,073
MS         :    1,723       1,475      6,746     6,628     1,957       1,946
MO         :    5,066       5,296      6,506     6,713     2,121       2,145
NE         :   10,364      10,902     10,514    11,052     2,145       2,081
NY         :    3,252       3,373      3,483     3,655     2,326       2,298
NC         :    3,829       3,588     11,286    11,504     1,861       1,878
OH         :   27,139      30,119     27,770    30,829     2,197       2,271
OK         :    2,100       1,980      4,062     4,151     1,920       1,927
OR         :    2,755       2,713      2,927     2,878     2,221       2,154
PA         :   20,582      21,159     21,944    22,590     2,260       2,249
SC         :    3,617       3,901      4,696     4,967     2,129       2,033
SD         :    2,103       1,930      2,306     2,174     2,238       2,254
TX         :   13,278      13,446     17,154    17,477     2,104       2,031
VA         :    1,521       1,404      3,630     3,559     1,928       1,911
WA         :    5,003       4,619      5,123     4,739     2,233       2,224
WI         :    3,334       3,177      3,968     3,657     2,193       2,215
           :
30 Sts     :  236,138     242,730    294,694   303,094     2,119       2,112
           :
Oth Sts 2/ :   11,694      12,242     17,223    17,848     2,084       2,073
           :
US         :  247,832     254,972    311,917   320,942     2,117       2,109
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg
    flocks regardless of size.
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.
 
 
 
 
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,
                                  March 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 1/    :  Hatching Eggs 1/
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1998   : 1999 2/  :   1998   : 1999 2/  :  1998   : 1999 2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs
               :
AL             :   216        213         96         88         120       125
AR             :   287        294        101        105         186       189
CA             :   560        570
CO             :    81         74
CT             :    79         71
FL             :   214        248        202        235          12        13
GA             :   454        452        273        268         181       184
HI             :    13.0       13.3       13.0       13.3         0         0
IL             :    77         70         73         66           4         4
IN             :   488        494        476        482          12        12
IA             :   505        564
ME             :   115        120
MD             :    79         81         72         76           7         5
MI             :   120        129
MN             :   273        262        261        251          12        11
MS             :   136        142         41         44          95        98
MO             :   150        148
NE             :   229        238        229        238           0         0
NY             :    84         89
NC             :   218        227         89         88         129       139
OH             :   641        679
OK             :    77         81         47         46          30        35
OR             :    72         67         70         66           2         1
PA             :   516        530        500        513          16        17
SC             :   104        101         86         83          18        18
SD             :    53         49         53         49           0         0
TX             :   380        378
VA             :    72         73         35         36          37        37
WA             :   118        112
WI             :    88         82
               :
30 Sts         : 6,499      6,652      5,506      5,626         993     1,026
               :
Oth Sts 3/     :   370        391        291        308          79        83
               :
US             : 6,869      7,043      5,797      5,934       1,072     1,109
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing
    individual operations.
2/  Revised.
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.
 
 
 
 
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,
                                  April 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 1/    :  Hatching Eggs 1/
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1998   :   1999   :   1998   :   1999   :  1998   :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs
               :
AL             :   209        204         93         83         116       121
AR             :   273        285         94         99         179       186
CA             :   537        525
CO             :    80         74
CT             :    68         68
FL             :   208        224        196        212          12        12
GA             :   438        422        261        244         177       178
HI             :    13.0       13.1       13.0       13.1         0         0
IL             :    73         72         69         68           4         4
IN             :   471        473        460        461          11        12
IA             :   496        560
ME             :   110        113
MD             :    73         77         67         72           6         5
MI             :   110        122
MN             :   263        255        252        245          11        10
MS             :   133        129         41         36          92        93
MO             :   138        144
NE             :   226        230        226        230           0         0
NY             :    81         84
NC             :   210        216         83         82         127       134
OH             :   610        700
OK             :    78         80         47         45          31        35
OR             :    65         62         64         61           1         1
PA             :   496        508        480        491          16        17
SC             :   100        101         82         83          18        18
SD             :    52         49         52         49           0         0
TX             :   361        355
VA             :    70         68         33         32          37        36
WA             :   114        105
WI             :    87         81
               :
30 Sts         : 6,244      6,400      5,277      5,405         967       995
               :
Oth Sts 2/     :   359        370        279        289          80        81
               :
US             : 6,603      6,770      5,556      5,694       1,047     1,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing
    individual operations.
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.
 
 
 
 
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,
                            United States, 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1998       :      1999       :      1998       :      1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent
        :
Jan     :       4.1               4.1              21.8              22.5
Feb     :       5.2               4.9              21.0              22.1
Mar     :       4.4               3.3              21.2              21.8
Apr     :       2.2               2.8              22.1              21.7
May     :       5.5               5.6              20.0              21.8
Jun     :       4.8                                21.4
Jul     :       3.9                                21.6
Aug     :       3.9                                21.7
Sep     :       4.1                                21.9
Oct     :       4.9                                21.9
Nov     :       3.7                                21.8
Dec     :       2.7                                23.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.
 
 
 
 
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State
                        and United States, May 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1998       :      1999       :      1998      :      1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent
          :
AL        :        3.0               1.5             12.0             11.0
AR        :        3.0               2.5              8.0              9.0
CA        :        9.5              11.0             32.0             37.5
CO        :        9.0               2.5             15.0             28.5
CT        :        3.5               3.5              9.5              5.0
FL        :       10.5              13.5             37.5             35.0
GA        :        6.0               5.5             13.5             17.5
HI        :        8.0              10.0             44.5             38.5
IL        :       11.5              10.0             15.0             28.0
IN        :        5.0               4.0             23.0             30.0
IA        :        6.0               5.5             33.5             31.5
ME        :        0.0               0.0              0.0              1.5
MD        :        8.5               3.0             36.0             30.0
MI        :       10.0              10.0             15.5             18.0
MN        :        5.5               5.0             30.0             33.0
MS        :        2.0               6.0              9.0              9.5
MO        :        2.0               2.5             15.5             23.5
NE        :        7.0               6.0             26.0             22.0
NY        :        1.5               1.0              3.5              4.5
NC        :        3.0               2.5              9.0              7.5
OH        :        4.0               3.0             13.5             12.5
OK        :        2.5               1.0             12.0              6.5
OR        :        7.5               3.0             41.0             36.5
PA        :        4.5               6.0             16.5             17.0
SC        :        5.5              13.5             29.0             18.0
SD        :        2.2               4.5             23.6             26.5
TX        :        7.0               6.5             16.0             21.0
VA        :        2.0               8.5             15.0              8.5
WA        :        7.0               8.0             29.0             45.0
WI        :        6.0               0.0             24.0             35.5
          :
30 Sts    :        5.5               5.5             20.1             21.8
          :
Oth Sts 2/:        5.6               6.9             19.3             21.4
          :
US        :        5.5               5.6             20.0             21.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, April-May 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1999
                   Item                  :    1998    :    1999    :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent
                                         :
Egg-Type                                 :
  Eggs in Incubators on May 1            :    35,807       35,395        99
  Chicks Hatched During Apr              :    39,043       42,043       108
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Apr            :   151,385      154,669       102
  Pullets Hatched During Apr for Intended:
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       333          287        86
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     3,034        2,942        97
                                         :
Broiler-Type                             :
  Eggs in Incubators on May 1            :   610,567      634,573       104
  Chicks Hatched During Apr              :   708,260      734,340       104
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Apr            : 2,795,129    2,886,606       103
  Pullets Hatched During Apr for Intended:
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,687        7,038       105
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    58,228       61,775       106
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1999 includes pullet chicks hatched Oct 1997 through Sep 1998.
2/  1999 includes pullet chicks hatched Jan 1998 through Sep 1998.
 
 
 
 
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,
                                 May 1, 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1999
                Geographic               :    1998    :    1999    :  as % of
                 Division                :            :            :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent
                                         :
North Atlantic                           :    6,211        5,688         92
E North Central                          :    8,900        8,922        100
W North Central                          :    6,647        7,126        107
South Atlantic                           :    5,241        4,746         91
South Central                            :    3,421        3,815        112
West                                     :    5,387        5,098         95
                                         :
US                                       :   35,807       35,395         99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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,
                                  April 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :             April              :             Jan-Apr
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1999   :          :           :   1999
             :   1998   :   1999   : as % of  :   1998   :   1999    : as % of
             :          :          :   1998   :          :           :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent
             :
AR           :     846        764       90        3,598       3,072       85
FL           :   1,231      1,236      100        4,509       4,580      102
GA           :   2,213      2,033       92        8,425       8,032       95
IN           :   7,487      8,260      110       28,351      29,118      103
IA           :   4,662      5,254      113       17,536      19,608      112
KS           :     393        463      118        1,022       1,350      132
MN           :   1,870      2,012      108        7,130       8,058      113
MO           :     387        388      100        1,399       1,400      100
PA           :   5,570      6,527      117       21,435      23,230      108
             :
Oth Sts  1/  :  14,384     15,106      105       57,980      56,221       97
             :
US           :  39,043     42,043      108      151,385     154,669      102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
 
 
 
 
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1997-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :             By Months             :            Cumulative
        :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month :        :        :        :  1999  :        :        :        :  1999
        :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :as % of :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :as % of
        :        :        :        :  1998  :        :        :        :  1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  --------- 1,000 ---------  Percent
        :
Jan     : 33,752   37,159   35,653     96     33,752   37,159   35,653     96
Feb     : 35,655   34,593   35,648    103     69,407   71,752   71,301     99
Mar     : 37,347   40,590   41,325    102    106,754  112,342  112,626    100
Apr     : 38,842   39,043   42,043    108    145,596  151,385  154,669    102
May     : 39,020   39,192                    184,616  190,577
Jun     : 36,796   39,302                    221,412  229,879
Jul     : 33,772   35,558                    255,184  265,437
Aug     : 33,061   33,380                    288,245  298,817
Sep     : 37,118   37,943                    325,363  336,760
Oct     : 35,262   34,649                    360,625  371,409
Nov     : 28,122   31,251                    388,747  402,660
Dec     : 35,796   35,733                    424,543  438,393
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1997-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1999  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/
         :--------------------------: 1998  :-----------------------------------
         :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :       :   1997    :   1998    :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------
         :
Jan      :   208      189     166       88      2,953       2,823       3,029
Feb      :   222      250     267      107      2,984       2,764       3,120
Mar      :   209      225     257      114      3,007       2,863       3,020
Apr      :   316      333     287       86      2,946       3,034       2,942
May      :   273      192                       2,870       3,057       3,044
Jun      :   254      354                       2,956       2,976       3,132
Jul      :   207      298                       2,940       2,968       3,108
Aug      :   285      185                       2,929       2,949       3,085
Sep      :   402      324                       2,913       2,977       3,102
Oct      :   256      358                       2,805       2,993       3,134
Nov      :   129      217                       2,869       3,010       3,088
Dec      :   207      183                       2,851       2,929
         :
Total    : 2,968    3,108
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 April 1999, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Oct 1997 through Sep
    1998.  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, May 1, 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1999
     Geographic    :       1998        :       1999        :      as % of
      Division     :                   :                   :        1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent
                   :
North Atlantic     :       12,546              11,548                92
E North Central    :        8,918               8,230                92
W North Central    :       24,151              23,772                98
South Atlantic     :      232,982             239,753               103
South Central      :      307,975             324,887               105
West               :       23,995              26,383               110
                   :
US                 :      610,567             634,573               104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State
                        and United States, April 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :             April              :             Jan-Apr
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1999   :          :           :   1999
             :   1998   :   1999   : as % of  :   1998   :   1999    : as % of
             :          :          :   1998   :          :           :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent
             :
AL           :  91,882     95,221      104       358,308     377,038     105
AR           : 104,470    105,621      101       415,666     423,836     102
DE           :  16,184     16,288      101        63,050      62,431      99
FL           :   9,776     10,224      105        38,238      39,445     103
GA           : 105,855    110,313      104       417,732     437,200     105
MD           :  30,854     30,996      100       121,634     121,875     100
MS           :  63,460     64,211      101       248,501     254,081     102
NC           :  61,740     63,137      102       240,117     246,782     103
PA           :  12,407     12,782      103        50,148      51,050     102
SC           :  14,493     16,232      112        57,594      63,505     110
TX           :  43,746     48,901      112       177,823     190,204     107
VA           :  23,737     23,845      100        92,620      94,070     102
CA TN & WV   :  38,751     40,265      104       150,280     156,334     104
             :
15 Sts 1/    : 617,355    638,036      103     2,431,711   2,517,851     104
             :
Oth Sts 2/   :  90,905     96,304      106       363,418     368,755     101
             :
US           : 708,260    734,340      104     2,795,129   2,886,606     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, 1997-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1999  :        :         :         :  1999
       :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :as % of:  1997  :  1998   :  1999   :as % of
       :        :        :        : 1998  :        :         :         :  1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent
       :
Jan    :699,952  711,373  735,348    103    699,952   711,373   735,348   103
Feb    :634,142  645,180  661,739    103  1,334,094 1,356,553 1,397,087   103
Mar    :718,413  730,316  755,179    103  2,052,507 2,086,869 2,152,266   103
Apr    :693,717  708,260  734,340    104  2,746,224 2,795,129 2,886,606   103
May    :724,679  739,319                  3,470,903 3,534,448
Jun    :704,247  717,967                  4,175,150 4,252,415
Jul    :710,622  722,715                  4,885,772 4,975,130
Aug    :708,572  715,650                  5,594,344 5,690,780
Sep    :684,156  695,281                  6,278,500 6,386,061
Oct    :683,185  693,189                  6,961,685 7,079,250
Nov    :648,141  678,003                  7,609,826 7,757,253
Dec    :711,808  737,840                  8,321,634 8,495,093
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1997-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1999  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/
         :--------------------------: 1998  :-----------------------------------
         :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :       :   1997    :   1998    :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------
         :
US       :
 Place-  :
 ments   :
Jan      :  6,397    6,765   7,059     104     56,101      56,552      59,403
Feb      :  5,916    6,328   6,882     109     56,122      57,494      59,937
Mar      :  6,443    6,776   7,195     106     55,981      57,677      60,699
Apr      :  6,036    6,687   7,038     105     55,933      58,228      61,775
May      :  7,062    7,062                     56,667      58,085      61,893
Jun      :  6,008    6,932                     57,264      58,516      62,877
Jul      :  7,167    6,788                     57,115      58,325      63,005
Aug      :  6,697    7,109                     56,761      59,054      63,377
Sep      :  6,502    7,328                     55,897      58,320      63,197
Oct      :  6,254    6,883                     56,165      59,088      63,460
Nov      :  6,347    7,312                     56,167      58,608      63,710
Dec      :  6,252    6,904                     56,714      58,973
         :
Annual   :
 Total   : 77,081   82,874
         :
Total    :
 Place-  :
 ments3/ :
Jan      :  7,547    8,613   8,679     101
Feb      :  7,122    8,273   8,473     102
Mar      :  7,894    8,760   8,863     101
Apr      :  7,238    8,300   8,572     103
May      :  8,505    8,957
Jun      :  7,381    8,757
Jul      :  8,460    8,423
Aug      :  8,132    8,686
Sep      :  8,092    8,985
Oct      :  8,142    8,756
Nov      :  7,973    9,412
Dec      :  8,237    8,830
         :
Annual   :
 Total   : 94,723  104,752
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Apr 1999, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jan 1998 through Sep
    1998.
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 June 22,
1999.
 
 
 
 
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all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender,
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To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil
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Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD).  USDA is an
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about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics
Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail:
nass@nass.usda.gov.