HDR1012000150020722971500Chickens and Eggs
 
Chickens
and Eggs
 
National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
 
Released July 22, 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.
 
 
 
                  June Egg Production Up 2 Percent
 
U.S. egg production totaled 6.27 billion during June 1997, up 2 percent from
the 6.17 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.25 billion table
eggs and 1.02 billion hatching eggs, of which 958 million were broiler-type
and 57.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during June 1997
averaged 299 million, up 2 percent from the average number of layers during
June 1996.  June egg production per 100 layers was 2,092 eggs, compared with
2,099 in June 1996.
 
 
 
Pou 1-1 (7-97)
All layers in the U.S. on July 1, 1997, totaled 299 million, up 2 percent from
a year ago.  The 299 million layers consisted of 243 million layers producing
table or commercial type eggs, 53.0 million layers producing broiler-type
hatching eggs, and 2.52 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs.  Rate
of lay per day on July 1, 1997, averaged 69.5 eggs per 100 layers, down
1 percent from the 70.3 a year ago.
 
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 5.94 billion eggs
during June, up 2 percent from June 1996.  The average number of layers during
June, at 284 million, was  up 2 percent from the year earlier.
 
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing
States.  These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg
Production" report.
 
 
 
                Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 8 Percent
 
Egg-type chicks hatched during June totaled 37.0 million, up 8 percent from
June 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 29.9 million on July 1, 1997, down
1 percent from a year ago.
 
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply
flocks by leading breeders totaled 256,000 during June 1997, down 9 percent
from the 282,000 of June 1996.
 
 
                     Broiler Hatch Up 5 Percent
 
The June 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 703 million, was up 5 percent
from June of the previous year. There were 588 million eggs in incubators on
July 1, 1997, up 4 percent from a year earlier.
 
Leading breeders placed 6.01 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future
domestic hatchery supply flocks during June 1997, down 3 percent from June
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           299,483
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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      6,266      5,209      5,251         960       1,015
Jul        :   6,440                 5,457                    983
Aug        :   6,447                 5,465                    982
Sep        :   6,235                 5,297                    938
Oct        :   6,495                 5,539                    956
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938
During Year:  76,148     44,814     64,572     37,863      11,576       6,951
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,
               and Forced Molt, United States, May-June 1996-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :
Layers During May              (1,000)   :
  All Layers                             : 294,458      301,235         102
    Table Egg Type                       : 241,542      245,265         102
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,916       55,970         106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  50,226       53,278         106
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,690        2,692         100
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers During May (Number)  :
  All Layers                             :   2,153        2,156         100
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,211        2,222         100
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,888        1,869          99
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,862        1,843          99
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,379        2,377         100
                                         :
Eggs Produced During May       (Million) :
  All Layers                             :   6,340        6,495         102
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,341        5,449         102
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     999        1,046         105
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     935          982         105
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      64           64         100
                                         :
Layers on Jun 1                (1,000)   :
  All Layers                             : 293,740      300,171         102
    Table Egg Type                       : 240,780      243,898         101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,960       56,273         106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  50,290       53,586         107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,670        2,687         101
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jun 1   (Number)  :
  All Layers                             :      69.5         70.0       101
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.3         72.2       101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      61.0         60.2        99
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      60.3         59.5        99
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      75.6         75.6       100
                                         :
Forced Molt Layers on Jun 1              :
  Percent Being Molted                   :       4.7          4.4        94
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      22.2         20.8        94
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,
                and Forced Molt, United States, June-July 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997
                   Item                  :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :
Layers During Jun                (1,000) :
  All Layers                             :  293,915      299,483        102
    Table Egg Type                       :  241,303      243,591        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,612       55,892        106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,955       53,281        107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,657        2,611         98
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jun  (Number) :
  All Layers                             :    2,099        2,092        100
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,159        2,156        100
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,825        1,816        100
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,804        1,798        100
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,221        2,183         98
                                         :
Eggs Produced During Jun       (Million) :
  All Layers                             :    6,169        6,266        102
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,209        5,251        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      960        1,015        106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      901          958        106
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           57         97
                                         :
Layers on Jul 1                  (1,000) :
  All Layers                             :  294,044      298,752        102
    Table Egg Type                       :  241,803      243,266        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,241       55,486        106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,605       52,963        107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,636        2,523         96
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jul 1    (Number) :
  All Layers                             :     70.3         69.5         99
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.5         71.5         99
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.5         60.6        100
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.8         59.8        100
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     72.8         77.0        106
                                         :
Forced Molt Layers, Jul 1                :
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.0          4.8        120
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.9         21.1         92
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.
2/  Preliminary.
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced
                Molt, May-June, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :
Layers During May                (1,000) :
  All Layers                             :  278,480      285,420        102
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,116      233,212        102
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,364       52,208        106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,768       49,632        106
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,596        2,576         99
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers During May  (Number) :
  All Layers                             :    2,153        2,160        100
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,210        2,225        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,890        1,869         99
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,862        1,844         99
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,388        2,368         99
                                         :
Eggs Produced During May       (Million) :
  All Layers                             :    5,997        6,165        103
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,064        5,189        102
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      933          976        105
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      871          915        105
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       62           61         98
                                         :
Layers on Jun 1                  (1,000) :
  All Layers                             :  277,627      284,465        102
    Table Egg Type                       :  228,319      231,921        102
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,308       52,544        107
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,728       49,971        107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,580        2,573        100
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jun 1    (Number) :
  All Layers                             :     69.5         70.0        101
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         72.2        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     61.1         60.4         99
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     60.3         59.6         99
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.3         75.9        101
                                         :
Forced Molt Layers on Jun 1              :
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.7          4.5         96
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.4         20.6         92
                                         :
Layers Sold During May           (1,000) :   19,312       15,028         78
                                         :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed, or     :
Composted Disappeared For Any Reason     :
 During May                      (1,000) :    3,141        3,361        107
                                         :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :
 of Age, Jun 1                   (1,000) :   71,748       76,686        107
                                         :
Pullets Added During May  3/     (1,000) :   22,675       18,990         84
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, June-July, 1996-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997
                   Item                  :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :
Layers During Jun                (1,000) :
  All Layers                             :  277,761      283,880        102
    Table Egg Type                       :  228,856      231,745        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,905       52,135        107
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,333       49,626        107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,572        2,509         98
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jun  (Number) :
  All Layers                             :    2,100        2,092        100
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,158        2,154        100
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,826        1,816         99
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,804        1,797        100
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,216        2,192         99
                                         :
Eggs Produced During Jun       (Million) :
  All Layers                             :    5,832        5,939        102
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,939        4,992        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      893          947        106
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      836          892        107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       57           55         96
                                         :
Layers on Jul 1                  (1,000) :
  All Layers                             :  277,862      283,261        102
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,378      231,555        101
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,484       51,706        107
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,927       49,271        107
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,557        2,435         95
                                         :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jul 1    (Number) :
  All Layers                             :     70.4         69.4         99
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.5         71.4         98
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.6         60.6        100
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.9         59.8        100
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     72.5         77.5        107
                                         :
Forced Molt Layers, Jul 1                :
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.0          4.9        123
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.1         21.1         91
                                         :
Layers Sold During Jun           (1,000) :   17,144       15,355         90
                                         :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :
 composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :
 During Jun                      (1,000) :    3,109        3,323        107
                                         :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :
 of Age, Jul 1                   (1,000) :   72,652       77,036        106
                                         :
Pullets Added During Jun 4/       (1,000):   21,170       17,325         82
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 May 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         :    4,056       4,140     10,566    11,092     1,978       1,983
AR         :    5,219       4,300     15,204    14,469     1,934       1,901
CA         :   23,744      24,474     24,300    25,096     2,202       2,172
CO         :    2,676       2,514      3,272     3,096     2,109       2,099
CT         :    3,345       3,318      3,483     3,456     2,239       2,228
FL         :    8,126       8,003      8,799     8,650     2,103       2,116
GA         :   10,296      10,773     18,225    19,623     2,052       2,033
HI         :      719         695        754       719     1,956       2,031
IL         :    3,027       3,083      3,222     3,224     2,390       2,140
IN         :   20,214      20,233     21,288    21,094     2,189       2,233
IA         :   17,667      20,496     18,538    21,470     2,249       2,278
ME         :    4,835       4,930      4,984     5,039     2,528       2,441
MD         :    3,423       2,975      3,888     3,402     2,109       2,293
MI         :    4,759       4,782      5,021     5,024     2,217       2,176
MN         :   11,045      10,778     11,875    11,564     2,189       2,153
MS         :    2,290       1,825      6,505     6,604     1,983       1,999
MO         :    5,348       5,381      6,516     6,631     2,056       2,066
NE         :    8,764       9,251      8,914     9,401     2,189       2,263
NY         :    3,626       3,143      3,947     3,354     2,382       2,326
NC         :    5,445       4,691     13,021    12,807     1,943       1,944
OH         :   23,377      25,127     23,866    25,706     2,258       2,287
OK         :    1,960       1,600      3,833     3,533     2,009       2,010
OR         :    2,503       2,827      2,703     3,016     2,257       2,255
PA         :   19,250      20,030     20,565    21,308     2,256       2,314
SC         :    3,673       3,556      4,723     4,608     2,181       2,192
SD         :    1,945       1,805      2,160     2,075     2,145       2,241
TX         :   12,788      13,261     15,985    16,795     2,089       2,078
VA         :    1,659       2,082      3,805     3,758     1,971       1,996
WA         :    4,938       4,873      5,173     5,234     2,300       2,293
WI         :    2,845       2,926      3,345     3,572     2,272       2,156
           :
30 Sts     :  223,562     227,872    278,480   285,420     2,153       2,160
           :
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,142      10,982     15,978    15,815     2,147       2,087
           :
US         :  234,704     238,854    294,458   301,235     2,153       2,156
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 June 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         :    3,894       4,055     10,367    11,093     1,929       1,902
AR         :    5,136       4,116     14,788    14,135     1,880       1,825
CA         :   23,967      24,295     24,521    24,926     2,161       2,142
CO         :    2,617       2,601      3,178     3,156     2,077       2,123
CT         :    3,432       3,258      3,567     3,388     2,187       2,155
FL         :    8,216       7,854      8,863     8,516     2,042       2,020
GA         :   10,104      10,699     18,062    19,449     2,021       2,010
HI         :      707         702        738       725     1,929       1,956
IL         :    3,051       2,986      3,250     3,136     2,308       2,041
IN         :   19,952      20,357     21,057    21,241     2,170       2,184
IA         :   18,133      20,742     18,983    21,680     2,176       2,200
ME         :    4,859       4,867      5,008     4,982     2,416       2,389
MD         :    3,139       2,947      3,639     3,410     2,116       2,141
MI         :    4,558       4,803      4,810     5,046     2,190       2,082
MN         :   11,105      10,700     11,933    11,495     2,112       2,062
MS         :    2,276       1,824      6,623     6,544     1,948       1,925
MO         :    5,388       5,313      6,553     6,529     1,999       2,006
NE         :    8,903       9,304      9,053     9,454     2,046       2,151
NY         :    3,504       3,232      3,807     3,433     2,233       2,243
NC         :    5,347       4,808     12,707    12,810     1,873       1,881
OH         :   23,741      24,792     24,201    25,378     2,182       2,199
OK         :    1,958       1,570      3,868     3,525     1,965       1,957
OR         :    2,415       2,841      2,607     3,023     2,340       2,216
PA         :   19,230      19,390     20,538    20,663     2,196       2,221
SC         :    3,665       3,642      4,675     4,691     2,053       2,132
SD         :    1,905       1,748      2,118     2,020     2,196       2,193
TX         :   12,481      13,387     15,650    16,818     2,045       2,039
VA         :    1,737       1,572      3,961     3,614     1,969       1,826
WA         :    5,002       4,931      5,242     5,297     2,270       2,190
WI         :    2,900       3,060      3,394     3,703     2,239       2,160
           :
30 Sts     :  223,322     226,396    277,761   283,880     2,100       2,092
           :
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,161      10,779     16,154    15,603     2,080       2,089
           :
US         :  234,483     237,175    293,915   299,483     2,099       2,092
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
                                 May 1996-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs
               :
AL             :    209        220         90         96       119        124
AR             :    294        275        108         88       186        187
CA             :    535        545
CO             :     69         65
CT             :     78         77
FL             :    185        183        172        171        13         12
GA             :    374        399        218        233       156        166
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0          0
IL             :     77         69         76         68         1          1
IN             :    466        471        456        461        10         10
IA             :    417        489
ME             :    126        123
MD             :     82         78         75         72         7          6
MI             :    111        109
MN             :    260        249        249        239        11         10
MS             :    129        132         49         41        80         91
MO             :    134        137
NE             :    195        213        195        213         0          0
NY             :     94         78
NC             :    253        249        121        106       132        143
OH             :    539        588
OK             :     77         71         47         39        30         32
OR             :     61         68         59         66         2          2
PA             :    464        493        447        477        17         16
SC             :    103        101         85         83        18         18
SD             :     46         47         46         47         0          0
TX             :    334        349
VA             :     75         75         36         43        39         32
WA             :    119        120
WI             :     76         77
               :
30 Sts         :  5,997      6,165      5,064      5,189       933        976
               :
Oth Sts 3/     :    343        330        277        260        66         70
               :
US             :  6,340      6,495      5,341      5,449       999      1,046
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
                                 June 1996-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs
               :
AL             :    200        211         86         91       114        120
AR             :    278        258        105         79       173        179
CA             :    530        534
CO             :     66         67
CT             :     78         73
FL             :    181        172        169        160        12         12
GA             :    365        391        216        228       149        163
HI             :     14         14         14         14         0          0
IL             :     75         64         74         63         1          1
IN             :    457        464        447        454        10         10
IA             :    413        477
ME             :    121        119
MD             :     77         73         70         66         7          7
MI             :    105        105
MN             :    252        237        242        227        10         10
MS             :    129        126         49         40        80         86
MO             :    131        131
NE             :    185        203        185        203         0          0
NY             :     85         77
NC             :    238        241        115        103       123        138
OH             :    528        558
OK             :     76         69         46         38        30         31
OR             :     61         67         59         65         2          2
PA             :    451        459        435        444        16         15
SC             :     96        100         78         81        18         19
SD             :     47         44         47         44         0          0
TX             :    320        343
VA             :     78         66         38         30        40         36
WA             :    119        116
WI             :     76         80
               :
30 Sts         :  5,832      5,939      4,939      4,992       893        947
               :
Oth Sts 3/     :    337        327        270        259        67         68
               :
US             :  6,169      6,266      5,209      5,251       960      1,015
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                                22.0
Sep     :       4.3                                22.3
Oct     :       4.8                                23.0
Nov     :       3.1                                23.9
Dec     :       2.1                                23.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State
                       and United States, July 1996-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent
          :
AL        :       4.5               2.0              10.5              8.5
AR        :       3.5               3.5               9.5             10.0
CA        :       8.0               9.0              45.0             36.5
CO        :       3.0               4.5              28.0             21.5
CT        :        .0               3.5              13.0              6.0
FL        :      13.5               8.5              41.5             32.5
GA        :       2.5               5.0              24.0             22.0
HI        :       6.0              10.0              55.5             50.5
IL        :       4.5              13.0              25.5             24.5
IN        :       1.0               1.5              22.5             19.0
IA        :       3.0               3.0              32.5             27.5
ME        :       1.5                .0                .5              1.0
MD        :      10.0              11.0              41.0             34.5
MI        :        .0               8.5              18.0             19.0
MN        :       3.0               8.0              25.0             34.0
MS        :       3.0               3.0              14.0             13.5
MO        :       4.5               1.0              23.5             18.5
NE        :       7.5               9.5              29.0             19.5
NY        :       1.5               2.0               7.0               .5
NC        :       3.5               3.0              15.5             12.0
OH        :       2.5               4.0               7.0             10.5
OK        :       2.5               1.0              13.0              9.0
OR        :       3.0               6.5              37.0             39.5
PA        :       3.0               2.5              20.5             16.0
SC        :       6.0               8.5              26.0             28.0
SD        :       6.5                .0              41.0             63.0
TX        :       4.0               7.0              20.0             26.0
VA        :       2.5               5.5              13.5             11.0
WA        :       5.0               8.5              43.5             39.5
WI        :       2.5               6.0              23.0             22.0
          :
30 Sts    :       4.0               4.9              23.1             21.1
          :
Oth Sts 2/:       3.3               3.8              19.7             21.8
          :
US        :       4.0               4.8              22.9             21.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, June-July 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent
                                         :
Egg-Type                                 :
  Eggs in Incubators on Jul 1            :    30,281       29,947        99
  Chicks Hatched During Jun              :    34,076       36,955       108
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Jun            :   211,935      220,889       104
  Pullets Hatched During May for Intended:
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       282          256        91
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,835        2,956       104
                                         :
Broiler-Type                             :
  Eggs in Incubators on Jul 1            :   564,351      587,661       104
  Chicks Hatched During Jun              :   672,168      702,511       105
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Jun            : 4,068,973    4,162,011       102
  Pullets Hatched During May for Intended:
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,169        6,008        97
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    56,528       57,218       101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Dec 1995 through Nov 1996.
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Mar 1996 through Nov 1996.
 
 
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,
                                 July 1, 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of
                 Division                :            :            :    1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent
                                         :
North Atlantic                           :    5,743        5,860        102
E North Central                          :    7,026        6,835         97
W North Central                          :    6,080        6,067        100
South Atlantic                           :    4,398        4,245         97
South Central                            :    2,881        2,779         96
West                                     :    4,153        4,161        100
                                         :
US                                       :   30,281       29,947         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,
                                  June 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              June              :             Jan-Jun
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent
             :
AR           :     895        825       92        5,550       4,950       89
FL           :   1,339      1,190       89        6,876       7,359      107
GA           :   1,957      2,055      105       12,663      12,662      100
IN           :   6,502      7,200      111       44,615      44,671      100
IA           :   3,658      4,316      118       19,873      22,849      115
KS           :     236        308      131        1,491       1,701      114
MN           :   2,022      1,828       90       12,675      12,285       97
MO           :     376        398      106        2,000       2,319      116
PA           :   3,984      5,517      138       23,382      30,089      129
             :
Oth Sts  1/  :  13,107     13,318      102       82,810      82,004       99
             :
US           :  34,076     36,955      108      211,935     220,889      104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                    238,322    245,266
Aug   : 31,442   32,393                    269,764    277,659
Sep   : 33,586   32,070                    303,350    309,729
Oct   : 33,383   33,065                    336,733    342,794
Nov   : 29,129   31,437                    365,862    374,231
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
Mar      :   356      317     206       65      2,943       3,007
Apr      :   317      252     316      125      2,920       2,946
May      :   193      291     268       92      2,951       2,870
Jun      :   234      282     256       91      2,835       2,956
Jul      :   235      266                       2,941       2,940
Aug      :   163      186                       2,924       2,929
Sep      :   292      231                       2,911       2,910
Oct      :   309      233                       2,872       2,799
Nov      :   124      210                       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 June 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Dec 1995 through Nov
    1996.  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, July 1, 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent
                   :
North Atlantic     :       11,566              12,300               106
E North Central    :        7,586               7,522                99
W North Central    :       23,137              21,322                92
South Atlantic     :      221,295             228,822               103
South Central      :      278,845             295,011               106
West               :       21,922              22,684               103
                   :
US                 :      564,351             587,661               104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State
                         and United States, June 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              June              :             Jan-Jun
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent
             :
AL           :  87,814     91,718      104       524,674     545,672     104
AR           : 104,259    106,195      102       629,488     636,802     101
DE           :  15,919     16,736      105        96,471      97,838     101
FL           :  10,305      9,169       89        61,104      56,972      93
GA           : 100,613    107,859      107       611,074     629,059     103
MD           :  31,092     30,323       98       185,830     183,588      99
MS           :  57,826     62,375      108       338,297     372,022     110
NC           :  59,739     61,597      103       375,403     366,586      98
PA           :  11,700     12,363      106        68,507      75,509     110
SC           :  14,750     15,405      104        90,708      91,462     101
TX           :  40,690     45,933      113       246,603     259,763     105
VA           :  22,750     23,434      103       139,677     141,587     101
CA TN & WV   :  34,858     34,887      100       206,429     208,529     101
             :
15 Sts 1/    : 592,315    617,994      104     3,574,265   3,665,389     103
             :
OR & WA      :   5,245      5,848      111        33,851      36,187     107
             :
Oth Sts 2/   :  74,608     78,669      105       460,857     460,435     100
             :
US           : 672,168    702,511      105     4,068,973   4,162,011     102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                  4,642,165 4,748,739
Aug    :674,054  690,838                  5,316,219 5,439,577
Sep    :638,882  658,976                  5,955,101 6,098,553
Oct    :655,036  652,232                  6,610,137 6,750,785
Nov    :629,208  631,142                  7,239,345 7,381,927
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
Mar      :  6,161    6,093   6,439     106     55,178      55,944
Apr      :  6,320    6,746   6,122      91     55,053      55,892
May      :  6,135    6,776   7,056     104     55,356      56,626
Jun      :  6,178    6,169   6,008      97     56,528      57,218
Jul      :  6,302    6,029                     56,585      57,072
Aug      :  6,475    6,510                     55,752      56,719
Sep      :  6,288    6,166                     55,533      55,856
Oct      :  6,013    6,221                     55,448      56,126
Nov      :  6,656    6,508                     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
Aug      :  7,850    8,120
Sep      :  7,730    7,771
Oct      :  7,301    7,892
Nov      :  7,784    7,860
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 Jun 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Mar 1996 through Nov
    1996.
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 3:00 p.m. ET on
August 22, 1997.
 
 
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its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with
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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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