Chickens                                                                        
and Eggs                                                                        
                                                                                
     National                                                                   
     Agricultural                                                               
     Statistics                                                                 
     Service                                                                    
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released December 19, 1997, 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 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
               November Egg Production Up 2 Percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.56 billion during November 1997, up 2 percent     
from the 6.41 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.56 billion       
table eggs and 997 million hatching eggs, of which 940 million were             
broiler-type and 57.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers        
during November 1997 averaged 309 million, up 2 percent from the average        
number of layers during November 1996.  November egg production per 100 layers  
was 2,122 eggs, down slightly from November 1996.                               
All layers in the U.S. on December 1, 1997, totaled 311 million, up 3 percent   
from a year ago.  The 311 million layers consisted of 256 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 53.2 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.50 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on December 1, 1997, averaged 71.0 eggs     
per 100 layers, down fractionally from the 71.3 a year ago.                     
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.21 billion eggs  
during November, up 2 percent from November 1996.  The average number of        
layers during November, at 293 million, was  up 2 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 down 12 Percent                            
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during November totaled 27.8 million, down 12 percent   
from November 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 33.0 million on December 1,     
1997, up 7 percent from a year ago.                                             
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 124,000 during November 1997, down 41        
percent from the 210,000 of November 1996.                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Broiler Hatch Up 3 Percent                                   
                                                                                
The November 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 648 million, was up 3        
percent  from  November of the previous year. There were 594 million eggs in    
incubators on December 1, 1997, up 4 percent from a year earlier.               
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.35 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during November 1997, down 2 percent from       
November 1996.                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                        For information call Tom Kruchten at  (202) 690-4870    
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                             United States, 1994-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1994       :      1995      :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 1/   :     290,642          299,160           298,861           303,669     
Jan      :     290,041          298,367           298,814           303,293     
Feb      :     290,047          297,293           298,357           302,971     
Mar      :     290,719          296,561           298,209           303,244     
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605           302,666     
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458           301,235     
Jun      :     287,974          290,313           293,915           299,427     
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349           298,548     
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785           298,861     
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696           302,585     
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196           306,246     
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604           308,929     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1996-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,523      6,678      5,548      5,695         975         983   
Jan        :   6,398      6,554      5,420      5,567         978         987   
Feb        :   5,954      5,887      5,036      4,985         918         902   
Mar        :   6,495      6,600      5,505      5,580         990       1,020   
Apr        :   6,243      6,334      5,284      5,336         959         998   
May        :   6,340      6,495      5,341      5,449         999       1,046   
Jun        :   6,169      6,265      5,209      5,250         960       1,015   
Jul        :   6,440      6,433      5,457      5,400         983       1,033   
Aug        :   6,447      6,467      5,465      5,453         982       1,014   
Sep        :   6,235      6,344      5,297      5,353         938         991   
Oct        :   6,495      6,651      5,539      5,617         956       1,034   
Nov        :   6,409      6,555      5,471      5,558         938         997   
During Year:  76,148     77,263     64,572     65,243      11,576      12,020   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
           and Forced Molt, United States, October-November 1996-97 1/          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Oct                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          : 299,196    306,246       102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 248,071    251,108       101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  51,125     55,138       108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  48,581     52,602       108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,544      2,536       100   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct      :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :   2,171      2,172       100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,233      2,237       100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,870      1,875       100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,846      1,854       100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,319      2,326       100   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Oct            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :   6,495      6,651       102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,539      5,617       101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     956      1,034       108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     897        975       109   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      59         59       100   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Nov 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          : 299,910    306,583       102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 248,972    251,476       101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  50,938     55,107       108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  48,394     52,609       109   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,544      2,498        98   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :      70.2       70.4     100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :      72.2       72.6     101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      60.5       60.1      99   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      59.7       59.4      99   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      75.1       76.5     102   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers on Nov 1         :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :       3.1        4.2     135   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :      23.9       22.2      93   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, November-December 1996-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   : 1996 1/  : 1997 2/  : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Nov                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  301,604    308,929      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  249,823    253,529      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   51,781     55,400      107   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   49,235     52,893      107   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,546      2,507       98   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov      :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    2,125      2,122      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    2,190      2,192      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    1,811      1,800       99   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    1,785      1,777      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,317      2,274       98   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Nov            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    6,409      6,555      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    5,471      5,558      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      938        997      106   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      879        940      107   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :       59         57       97   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Dec 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  303,248    311,219      103   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  250,645    255,555      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   52,603     55,664      106   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   50,070     53,161      106   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,533      2,503       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :     71.3       71.0      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     73.6       73.4      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.3       59.7       99   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.4       58.9       99   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     77.5       76.9       99   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers, Dec 1           :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      2.1        2.8      133   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     23.5       24.1      103   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
            Molt, October-November, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Oct                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  283,233    290,077      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  235,571    238,816      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   47,662     51,261      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   45,207     48,822      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,455      2,439       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct      :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    2,172      2,173      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    2,234      2,238      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    1,867      1,873      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    1,843      1,850      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,322      2,337      101   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Oct            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    6,153      6,304      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    5,263      5,344      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      890        960      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      833        903      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :       57         57      100   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Nov 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  283,893    290,433      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  236,442    239,197      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   47,451     51,236      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   44,997     48,820      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,454      2,416       98   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :     70.2       70.4      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     72.2       72.6      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.4       60.2      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.6       59.4      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     74.9       76.7      102   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers on Nov 1         :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      3.1        4.2      135   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     24.0       22.2       93   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Sold During Oct              :  1,000   :   15,764     14,365       91   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :                                
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :                                
 Reason During Oct                  :  1,000   :    2,877      3,482      121   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :                                
 of Age, Nov 1                      :  1,000   :   69,965     76,915      110   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Added During Oct  3/        :  1,000   :   22,561     17,790       79   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 is     
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, 30 Selected States, November-December, 1996-97 1/            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   : 1996 2/  : 1997 3/  : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Nov                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  285,544    292,655      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  237,220    241,191      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   48,324     51,464      106   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   45,873     49,046      107   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,451      2,418       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov      :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    2,124      2,122      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    2,188      2,190      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    1,809      1,801      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    1,783      1,778      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,285      2,275      100   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Nov            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    6,065      6,209      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    5,191      5,282      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      874        927      106   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      818        872      107   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :       56         55       98   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Dec 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  287,158    294,837      103   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  237,979    243,169      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   49,179     51,668      105   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   46,745     49,259      105   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,434      2,409       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :     71.3       70.9       99   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     73.6       73.3      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.2       59.8       99   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.3       59.0       99   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     77.4       76.8       99   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers, Dec 1           :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      2.1        2.8      133   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     23.5       24.2      103   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Sold During Nov              :  1,000   :   14,002     13,180       94   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :                                
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :                                
 Reason During Nov                  :  1,000   :    2,604      2,629      101   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :                                
 of Age, Dec 1                      :  1,000   :   71,667     78,098      109   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Added During Nov 4/         :  1,000   :   20,862     20,036       96   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Preliminary.                                                                
4/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 is     
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During October 1996-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996    :    1997    :  1996  :  1997   :   1996    :    1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,086       3,987     10,318    10,569     2,045       1,959    
AR         :    5,005       4,414     14,713    14,364     1,917       1,887    
CA         :   25,301      25,231     25,841    25,881     2,198       2,191    
CO         :    2,745       2,994      3,275     3,560     2,168       2,247    
CT         :    3,462       3,160      3,588     3,315     2,258       2,293    
FL         :    8,130       9,486      8,762    10,126     2,214       2,143    
GA         :   10,847      11,680     18,539    20,582     2,087       2,089    
HI         :      701         691        725       716     2,089       1,888    
IL         :    3,100       3,247      3,291     3,392     2,400       2,358    
IN         :   20,517      20,568     21,597    21,430     2,278       2,282    
IA         :   19,212      20,327     20,079    21,264     2,226       2,262    
ME         :    5,165       4,821      5,290     4,935     2,382       2,452    
MD         :    3,199       2,723      3,640     3,168     2,280       2,210    
MI         :    4,654       4,906      4,891     5,150     2,288       2,266    
MN         :   11,370      10,878     12,203    11,686     2,163       2,165    
MS         :    2,143       1,820      6,534     6,706     2,020       1,953    
MO         :    5,588       5,615      6,611     6,874     2,178       2,226    
NE         :    8,966       9,648      9,116     9,798     2,155       2,192    
NY         :    3,183       3,131      3,467     3,343     2,365       2,393    
NC         :    5,461       4,276     12,298    11,519     1,935       1,901    
OH         :   24,730      25,948     25,214    26,494     2,249       2,272    
OK         :    1,858       1,680      3,753     3,585     1,998       1,925    
OR         :    2,520       2,893      2,720     3,060     2,279       2,190    
PA         :   19,490      20,455     20,766    21,696     2,268       2,277    
SC         :    3,637       3,698      4,705     4,789     2,274       2,234    
SD         :    1,878       1,868      2,090     2,143     2,238       2,241    
TX         :   13,294      13,679     16,645    17,361     2,091       2,120    
VA         :    1,940       1,627      3,891     3,605     2,030       1,969    
WA         :    4,881       4,915      5,122     5,245     2,284       2,326    
WI         :    3,040       3,092      3,549     3,721     2,141       2,284    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  230,103     233,458    283,233   290,077     2,172       2,173    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,256      11,237     15,963    16,169     2,142       2,146    
           :                                                                    
US         :  241,359     244,695    299,196   306,246     2,171       2,172    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  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 November 1996-97 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996    :    1997    :  1996  :  1997   :   1996    :    1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,110       3,911     10,364    10,419     1,959       1,939    
AR         :    4,923       4,436     14,628    14,399     1,907       1,820    
CA         :   25,783      25,340     26,331    25,991     2,176       2,170    
CO         :    2,742       3,087      3,299     3,688     2,092       2,169    
CT         :    3,469       3,226      3,600     3,389     2,222       2,272    
FL         :    8,213       9,865      8,878    10,541     2,095       2,078    
GA         :   11,073      11,631     19,016    20,573     2,040       2,076    
HI         :      711         707        736       732     2,049       1,788    
IL         :    3,109       3,207      3,303     3,352     2,331       2,297    
IN         :   19,821      21,156     20,774    22,028     2,258       2,197    
IA         :   19,424      20,546     20,310    21,495     2,142       2,205    
ME         :    5,140       4,737      5,256     4,863     2,359       2,406    
MD         :    3,094       2,698      3,557     3,163     2,249       2,150    
MI         :    4,727       4,958      4,971     5,210     2,280       2,139    
MN         :   11,233      11,110     12,051    11,881     2,058       2,087    
MS         :    2,142       1,883      6,617     6,778     1,889       1,829    
MO         :    5,435       5,705      6,518     6,993     2,148       2,145    
NE         :    9,154       9,774      9,304     9,924     2,154       2,094    
NY         :    3,261       3,301      3,547     3,506     2,255       2,339    
NC         :    5,512       4,237     12,452    11,729     1,887       1,833    
OH         :   25,488      26,072     25,986    26,629     2,186       2,216    
OK         :    1,800       1,678      3,730     3,611     1,903       1,911    
OR         :    2,546       2,854      2,741     3,031     2,189       2,210    
PA         :   19,905      20,960     21,170    22,193     2,239       2,253    
SC         :    3,734       3,626      4,763     4,667     2,225       2,207    
SD         :    1,840       1,918      2,048     2,105     2,175       2,130    
TX         :   13,366      13,600     16,707    17,248     2,101       2,076    
VA         :    2,016       1,588      4,026     3,531     1,937       1,954    
WA         :    4,864       4,862      5,177     5,147     2,221       2,293    
WI         :    3,112       3,218      3,684     3,839     2,117       2,292    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  231,747     235,891    285,544   292,655     2,124       2,122    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,436      11,287     16,060    16,274     2,142       2,120    
           :                                                                    
US         :  243,183     247,178    301,604   308,929     2,125       2,122    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 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.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                               October 1996-97 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    211        207         97         89       114        118   
AR             :    282        271        106         91       176        180   
CA             :    568        567                                              
CO             :     71         80                                              
CT             :     81         76                                              
FL             :    194        217        181        205        13         12   
GA             :    387        430        237        259       150        171   
HI             :     15         14         15         14         0          0   
IL             :     79         80         78         79         1          1   
IN             :    492        489        483        479         9         10   
IA             :    447        481                                              
ME             :    126        121                                              
MD             :     83         70         76         63         7          7   
MI             :    112        117                                              
MN             :    264        253        253        242        11         11   
MS             :    132        131         49         40        83         91   
MO             :    144        153                                              
NE             :    196        215        196        215         0          0   
NY             :     82         80                                              
NC             :    238        219        121         91       117        128   
OH             :    567        602                                              
OK             :     75         69         45         38        30         31   
OR             :     62         67         60         66         2          1   
PA             :    471        494        456        479        15         15   
SC             :    107        107         88         87        19         20   
SD             :     47         48         47         48         0          0   
TX             :    348        368                                              
VA             :     79         71         45         37        34         34   
WA             :    117        122                                              
WI             :     76         85                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,153      6,304      5,263      5,344       890        960   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    342        347        276        273        66         74   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,495      6,651      5,539      5,617       956      1,034   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  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,              
                               November 1996-97 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    203        202         94         88       109       114    
AR             :    279        262        104         88       175       174    
CA             :    573        564                                              
CO             :     69         80                                              
CT             :     80         77                                              
FL             :    186        219        173        207        13        12    
GA             :    388        427        240        261       148       166    
HI             :     15         13         15         13         0         0    
IL             :     77         77         76         76         1         1    
IN             :    469        484        460        474         9        10    
IA             :    435        474                                              
ME             :    124        117                                              
MD             :     80         68         73         61         7         7    
MI             :    113        111                                              
MN             :    248        248        238        238        10        10    
MS             :    125        124         45         38        80        86    
MO             :    140        150                                              
NE             :    200        208        200        208         0         0    
NY             :     80         82                                              
NC             :    235        215        120         89       115       126    
OH             :    568        590                                              
OK             :     71         69         42         38        29        31    
OR             :     60         67         58         66         2         1    
PA             :    474        500        459        485        15        15    
SC             :    106        103         88         84        18        19    
SD             :     45         45         45         45         0         0    
TX             :    351        358                                              
VA             :     78         69         43         37        35        32    
WA             :    115        118                                              
WI             :     78         88                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,065      6,209      5,191      5,282       874       927    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    344        346        280        276        64        70    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,409      6,555      5,471      5,558       938       997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 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.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1996-97 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1996       :      1997       :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       3.7               3.8              24.3              22.3       
Feb     :       5.4               5.1              22.3              21.6       
Mar     :       3.5               2.4              23.3              22.9       
Apr     :       1.9               3.1              22.9              21.8       
May     :       5.4               5.3              22.2              19.8       
Jun     :       4.7               4.4              22.2              20.8       
Jul     :       4.0               4.8              22.9              21.1       
Aug     :       4.7               3.5              22.0              21.9       
Sep     :       4.3               3.9              22.3              21.5       
Oct     :       4.8               4.7              23.0              22.6       
Nov     :       3.1               4.2              23.9              22.2       
Dec     :       2.1               2.8              23.5              24.1       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                     and United States, December 1996-97 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       0.5               0.0              14.5             20.5      
AR        :       2.5               2.5              11.0             16.5      
CA        :       4.5               3.5              41.5             40.0      
CO        :       2.0               0.0              28.5             17.0      
CT        :       0.0              12.5              13.0             11.0      
FL        :       2.0               4.5              31.0             40.0      
GA        :       0.0               5.5              24.0             16.5      
HI        :       5.5              15.0              52.0             44.5      
IL        :       3.5               7.0              20.0             32.5      
IN        :       2.0               2.0              21.0             26.0      
IA        :       4.5               3.5              32.5             35.0      
ME        :       1.5               0.0               1.5              2.0      
MD        :       0.0               3.0              32.5             42.0      
MI        :       1.0               1.0              20.5             20.0      
MN        :       2.5               3.0              33.0             32.0      
MS        :       0.5               0.0              15.5             12.0      
MO        :       0.0               2.0              20.0             26.0      
NE        :       2.5               8.0              26.5             27.0      
NY        :       1.0               0.0               6.5              3.5      
NC        :       0.0               0.0              12.0             15.5      
OH        :       1.0               1.5              13.0             14.0      
OK        :       1.5               1.0              13.5             11.0      
OR        :       8.0               6.0              29.5             36.5      
PA        :       1.0               3.0              21.0             19.5      
SC        :      10.0               4.0              25.0             34.5      
SD        :       0.0               1.0              60.0             50.5      
TX        :       1.5               1.5              24.0             20.5      
VA        :       3.0               3.0              11.0             12.5      
WA        :       5.0               3.0              44.5             38.0      
WI        :       3.0               1.0              31.0             26.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       2.1               2.8              23.5             24.2      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       2.4               2.3              24.1             22.8      
          :                                                                     
US        :       2.1               2.8              23.5             24.1      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, November-December 1996-97        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Dec 1            :    30,770       32,960       107     
  Chicks Hatched During Nov              :    31,437       27,803        88     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Nov            :   374,231      386,518       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Oct for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       210          124        59     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,807        2,863       102     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Dec 1            :   573,495      593,985       104     
  Chicks Hatched During Nov              :   631,142      648,120       103     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Nov            : 7,381,927    7,594,872       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Oct for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,508        6,347        98     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    55,892       56,219       101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched May 1996 through Apr 1997.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Aug 1996 through Apr 1997.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               December 1, 1996-97                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    5,080        5,383        106     
E North Central                          :    8,471        9,321        110     
W North Central                          :    5,863        6,251        107     
South Atlantic                           :    4,253        4,505        106     
South Central                            :    3,002        3,551        118     
West                                     :    4,101        3,949         96     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   30,770       32,960        107     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                November 1996-97                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            November            :             Jan-Nov             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     655        645       98        9,426       8,884       94    
FL           :   1,110        835       75       12,527      13,020      104    
GA           :   1,524      1,400       92       22,215      21,937       99    
IN           :   6,643      5,529       83       78,869      78,096       99    
IA           :   3,606      3,545       98       36,363      43,298      119    
KS           :     334        292       87        2,913       2,871       99    
MN           :   1,961      1,483       76       22,246      21,056       95    
MO           :     341        360      106        3,815       4,231      111    
PA           :   3,729      4,128      111       44,398      52,599      118    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  11,534      9,586       83      141,459     140,526       99    
             :                                                                  
US           :  31,437     27,803       88      374,231     386,518      103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1997  :          :         :        :  1997  
      :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:   1995   :  1996   :  1997  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 32,374   31,523   33,331    106     32,374     31,523   33,331    106   
Feb   : 32,743   34,627   35,318    102     65,117     66,150   68,649    104   
Mar   : 36,019   37,474   37,648    100    101,136    103,624  106,297    103   
Apr   : 35,078   35,628   38,746    109    136,214    139,252  145,043    104   
May   : 37,540   38,607   38,891    101    173,754    177,859  183,934    103   
Jun   : 34,996   34,076   36,955    108    208,750    211,935  220,889    104   
Jul   : 29,572   33,331   33,954    102    238,322    245,266  254,843    104   
Aug   : 31,442   32,393   32,903    102    269,764    277,659  287,746    104   
Sep   : 33,586   32,070   35,794    112    303,350    309,729  323,540    104   
Oct   : 33,383   33,065   35,175    106    336,733    342,794  358,715    105   
Nov   : 29,129   31,437   27,803     88    365,862    374,231  386,518    103   
Dec   : 30,639   33,017                    396,501    407,248                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1995-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1996    :   1997    :   1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   236      219     208       95      3,108       2,953       2,814   
Feb      :   251      238     219       92      3,089       2,984       2,747   
Mar      :   356      317     206       65      2,943       3,007       2,845   
Apr      :   317      252     316      125      2,920       2,946       3,011   
May      :   193      291     268       92      2,951       2,870       3,044   
Jun      :   234      282     256       91      2,835       2,956       2,958   
Jul      :   235      266     199       75      2,941       2,940               
Aug      :   163      186     284      153      2,924       2,929               
Sep      :   292      231     397      172      2,911       2,910               
Oct      :   309      233     266      114      2,872       2,799               
Nov      :   124      210     124       59      2,807       2,863               
Dec      :   231      215                       2,905       2,840               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 2,941    2,940                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 November 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched May 1996 through  
    Apr 1997.  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, December 1, 1996-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,983              11,798                98         
E North Central    :        7,841               7,354                94         
W North Central    :       21,758              21,955               101         
South Atlantic     :      223,454             225,969               101         
South Central      :      285,651             304,025               106         
West               :       22,808              22,884               100         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      573,495             593,985               104         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, November 1996-97                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            November            :             Jan-Nov             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  81,704     83,836      103       956,028     995,933     104    
AR           :  95,670     98,622      103     1,142,008   1,155,902     101    
DE           :  14,955     14,591       98       175,929     177,264     101    
FL           :   9,411      9,440      100       110,847     103,476      93    
GA           :  94,824     95,912      101     1,109,903   1,150,559     104    
MD           :  28,449     27,837       98       332,842     331,842     100    
MS           :  54,273     57,879      107       624,470     674,128     108    
NC           :  57,416     56,038       98       676,359     662,030      98    
PA           :  11,392     11,697      103       127,956     138,795     108    
SC           :  14,622     14,620      100       166,873     167,484     100    
TX           :  38,553     41,141      107       449,040     477,680     106    
VA           :  21,259     21,706      102       252,918     257,532     102    
CA TN & WV   :  33,704     35,230      105       371,082     383,156     103    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 556,232    568,549      102     6,496,255   6,675,781     103    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,045      4,909       97        60,646      62,305     103    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  69,865     74,662      107       825,026     856,786     104    
             :                                                                  
US           : 631,142    648,120      103     7,381,927   7,594,872     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, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1997  :        :         :         :  1997  
       :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:  1995  :  1996   :  1997   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :662,467  689,994  700,467    102    662,467   689,994   700,467   102   
Feb    :600,095  645,590  631,259     98  1,262,562 1,335,584 1,331,726   100   
Mar    :679,066  692,287  716,374    103  1,941,628 2,027,871 2,048,100   101   
Apr    :664,121  668,378  690,790    103  2,605,749 2,696,249 2,738,890   102   
May    :691,935  700,556  720,610    103  3,297,684 3,396,805 3,459,500   102   
Jun    :670,815  672,168  702,511    105  3,968,499 4,068,973 4,162,011   102   
Jul    :673,666  679,766  709,150    104  4,642,165 4,748,739 4,871,161   103   
Aug    :674,054  690,838  709,281    103  5,316,219 5,439,577 5,580,442   103   
Sep    :638,882  658,976  683,249    104  5,955,101 6,098,553 6,263,691   103   
Oct    :655,036  652,232  683,061    105  6,610,137 6,750,785 6,946,752   103   
Nov    :629,208  631,142  648,120    103  7,239,345 7,381,927 7,594,872   103   
Dec    :693,007  695,011                  7,932,352 8,076,938                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1995-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1996    :   1997    :   1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,710    5,487   6,393     117     54,562      56,074      56,607   
Feb      :  5,484    5,916   5,913     100     54,522      56,090      57,718   
Mar      :  6,161    6,093   6,439     106     55,178      55,944      57,907   
Apr      :  6,320    6,746   6,122      91     55,053      55,892      58,462   
May      :  6,135    6,776   7,056     104     55,356      56,626      58,323   
Jun      :  6,178    6,169   6,008      97     56,528      57,218      58,757   
Jul      :  6,302    6,029   7,332     122     56,585      57,072               
Aug      :  6,475    6,510   6,697     103     55,752      56,719               
Sep      :  6,288    6,166   6,502     105     55,533      55,856               
Oct      :  6,013    6,221   6,254     101     55,448      56,126               
Nov      :  6,656    6,508   6,347      98     55,892      56,219               
Dec      :  6,218    5,947                     56,193      56,765               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,940   74,568                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,040    6,693   7,665     115                                      
Feb      :  7,180    7,167   7,252     101                                      
Mar      :  7,577    7,501   8,030     107                                      
Apr      :  7,835    7,903   7,453      94                                      
May      :  7,873    8,234   8,660     105                                      
Jun      :  7,485    7,467   7,483     100                                      
Jul      :  7,730    7,572   8,714     115                                      
Aug      :  7,850    8,120   8,350     103                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771   8,188     105                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892   8,277     105                                      
Nov      :  7,784    7,860   8,119     103                                      
Dec      :  7,750    7,709                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 91,135   91,889                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Nov 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Aug 1996 through Apr   
    1997.                                                                       
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 January    
30, 1998.                                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
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's   
TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).                                  
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,      
D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or 202-720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an  
equal employment opportunity employer.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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