HDR1012000150021022961500 Chickens and Eggs                                     
                                                                                
Released October 22, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service      
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office  
hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the       
Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:                    
NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.  Estimates refer to August, September and October 1996.     
The "Chickens and Eggs" U.S. Summary is available on Autofax, (202) 720-2000,   
report 4200.  See page 20.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
               September Egg Production up 4 percent                            
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.25 billion during September 1996, up 4 percent    
from the 5.99 billion produced in 1995.  Production included 5.31 billion table 
eggs and 938 million hatching eggs, of which 883 million were broiler-type and  
55.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during September 1996   
averaged 298 million, up 3 percent from the average number of layers during     
September 1995.  September egg production per 100 layers was 2,094 eggs,        
compared with 2,065 in September 1995.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (10-96)                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on October 1, 1996, totaled 299 million, up 3 percent    
from a year ago.  The 299 million layers consisted of 248 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 48.8 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.53 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on October 1, 1996, averaged 69.8 eggs per  
100 layers, up 1 percent from the 69.1 a year ago.                              
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 5.92 billion eggs  
during September, up 4 percent from September 1995.  The average number of      
layers during September, at 282 million, was  up 3 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 Down 5 Percent                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during September totaled 32.0 million, down 5 percent   
from September 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 30.3 million on October 1,     
1996, down 2 percent from a year ago.                                           
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 231,000 during September 1996, down 21       
percent from the 292,000 of September 1995.                                     
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 3 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The September 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 657 million, was up         
3 percent from September of the previous year. There were 538 million eggs in   
incubators on October 1, 1996, down 1 percent from a year earlier.              
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.17 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during September 1996, down 2 percent from      
September 1995.                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                           For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                            United States, 1993-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1993       :      1994      :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     284,267          290,642           299,434           299,066     
Jan      :     284,398          290,041           299,084           299,513     
Feb      :     284,638          290,047           297,759           299,222     
Mar      :     284,405          290,719           296,796           299,066     
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293           297,367     
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548           295,133     
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705           294,534     
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557           295,914     
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837           297,331     
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021           298,241     
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459                       
Nov      :     288,875          297,134           295,562                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1995-96                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,516      6,534      5,568      5,559         948         975   
Jan        :   6,369      6,411      5,417      5,433         952         978   
Feb        :   5,714      5,971      4,854      5,053         860         918   
Mar        :   6,448      6,513      5,492      5,523         956         990   
Apr        :   6,177      6,254      5,238      5,295         939         959   
May        :   6,251      6,351      5,271      5,354         980         997   
Jun        :   6,010      6,182      5,060      5,226         950         956   
Jul        :   6,145      6,450      5,179      5,468         966         982   
Aug        :   6,146      6,458      5,191      5,474         955         984   
Sep        :   5,990      6,245      5,063      5,307         927         938   
Oct        :   6,260                 5,301                    959               
Nov        :   6,232                 5,298                    934               
During Year:  74,258     63,369     62,932     53,692      11,326       9,677   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                and Forced Molt, United States, August-September                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Aug              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 287,837      297,331         103     
    Table Egg Type                       : 236,299      245,118         104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  51,538       52,213         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  48,819       49,710         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,719        2,503          92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Aug (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,135        2,172         102     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,197        2,233         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,853        1,885         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,825        1,867         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,354        2,237          95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Aug       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,146        6,458         105     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,191        5,474         105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     955          984         103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     891          928         104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      64           56          88     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Sep 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 289,595      297,450         103     
    Table Egg Type                       : 237,725      245,290         103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  51,870       52,160         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,155       49,664         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,715        2,496          92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Sep 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.2         69.9       101     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.3         71.8       101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      59.6         61.0       102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      58.6         60.3       103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      76.1         74.6        98     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Sep 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       4.6          4.3        93     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      23.3         22.4        96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, September-October 1995-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Sep                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  290,021      298,241        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  238,049      246,493        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   51,972       51,748        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,245       49,229        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,727        2,519         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,065        2,094        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,127        2,153        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,784        1,813        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,761        1,794        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,200        2,183         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Sep       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,990        6,245        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,063        5,307        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      927          938        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      867          883        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       60           55         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Oct 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  290,889      298,982        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  238,839      247,668        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,050       51,314         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,319       48,782         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,731        2,532         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.1         69.8        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.2         71.7        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.7         60.2        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.8         59.5        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     76.0         74.3         98     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Oct 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.1          4.7         92     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.3         23.0         99     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, August-September, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Aug                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  271,917      281,275        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  223,874      232,632        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,043       48,643        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,418       46,233        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,625        2,410         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Aug  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,139        2,174        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,201        2,234        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,848        1,885        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,821        1,864        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,324        2,282         98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Aug       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,816        6,115        105     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,928        5,198        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      888          917        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      827          862        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       61           55         90     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Sep 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  273,540      281,308        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  225,237      232,676        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,303       48,632        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,695       46,222        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,608        2,410         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Sep 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.5         70.0        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.6         71.8        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.6         61.1        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.7         60.4        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.8         74.7         99     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Sep 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.5          4.3         96     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.3         22.6         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Aug           (1,000) :   13,789       13,900        101     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Aug                      (1,000) :    3,451        3,366         98     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Sep 1                   (1,000) :   68,423       71,638        105     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Aug         (1,000) :   21,221       18,175         86     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, September-October, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Sep                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  274,072      282,177        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  225,565      233,912        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,507       48,265        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,879       45,832        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,628        2,433         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,071        2,097        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,133        2,154        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,779        1,817        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,757        1,796        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,169        2,219        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Sep       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,675        5,916        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,812        5,039        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      863          877        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      806          823        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       57           54         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Oct 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  275,058      283,009        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  226,366      235,129        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,692       47,880         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,052       45,434         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,640        2,446         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.2         69.8        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         71.8        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.5         60.1        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.6         59.4        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.9         74.0         97     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Oct 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.1          4.7         92     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.4         23.2         99     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Sep           (1,000) :   14,224       14,640        103     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During Sep                      (1,000) :    2,659        2,844        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Oct 1                   (1,000) :   68,962       69,571        101     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Sep         (1,000) :   19,236       20,243        105     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                   and United States, During August 1995-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,756       3,961     11,572    10,402     1,962       1,990    
AR         :    5,810       4,933     15,744    14,358     1,918       1,936    
CA         :   23,365      24,623     23,900    25,186     2,184       2,176    
CO         :    2,566       2,659      3,099     3,220     2,291       2,174    
CT         :    3,496       3,503      3,661     3,634     2,185       2,229    
FL         :    8,332       8,136      8,965     8,726     2,209       2,269    
GA         :    9,904      10,670     17,567    18,607     2,044       2,085    
HI         :      734         722        784       749     1,956       1,922    
IL         :    2,657       3,031      2,860     3,226     2,273       2,387    
IN         :   19,402      20,497     20,222    21,611     2,210       2,253    
IA         :   15,245      18,800     16,131    19,662     2,058       2,243    
ME         :    4,758       4,929      4,895     5,059     2,329       2,431    
MD         :    3,316       3,564      3,794     4,003     2,372       2,173    
MI         :    4,885       4,564      5,158     4,791     2,241       2,229    
MN         :    9,900      11,445     10,738    12,273     2,142       2,167    
MS         :    2,299       2,140      6,033     6,580     1,939       2,006    
MO         :    5,608       5,705      6,470     6,745     2,087       2,194    
NE         :    8,700       9,030      8,850     9,180     2,257       2,189    
NY         :    3,681       3,331      3,995     3,610     2,353       2,299    
NC         :    6,130       5,446     13,783    12,825     1,886       1,965    
OH         :   21,479      23,748     21,859    24,230     2,278       2,295    
OK         :    1,960       1,890      3,755     3,890     2,024       1,979    
OR         :    2,403       2,518      2,589     2,710     2,356       2,325    
PA         :   19,110      19,350     20,416    20,593     2,180       2,253    
SC         :    3,670       3,581      4,715     4,613     2,206       2,211    
SD         :    1,588       1,883      1,833     2,095     2,430       2,344    
TX         :   12,918      12,631     16,301    15,970     2,092       2,016    
VA         :    1,702       1,969      3,745     4,130     2,083       2,349    
WA         :    5,000       4,892      5,239     5,122     2,310       2,362    
WI         :    2,722       3,010      3,244     3,475     2,281       2,187    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  218,096     227,161    271,917   281,275     2,139       2,174    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,094      11,158     15,920    16,056     2,067       2,130    
           :                                                                    
US         :  229,190     238,319    287,837   297,331     2,135       2,172    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                 and United States, During September 1995-96 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,600       4,135     11,533    10,481     1,882       1,918    
AR         :    5,716       4,890     15,738    14,520     1,849       1,860    
CA         :   24,083      25,017     24,638    25,571     2,102       2,088    
CO         :    2,563       2,686      3,099     3,248     2,130       2,094    
CT         :    3,453       3,497      3,623     3,626     2,181       2,151    
FL         :    8,388       8,204      9,043     8,799     2,123       2,228    
GA         :   10,222      10,628     17,878    18,441     1,974       2,028    
HI         :      720         700        770       724     1,914       1,989    
IL         :    2,607       3,059      2,805     3,251     2,103       2,338    
IN         :   19,446      20,654     20,266    21,752     2,151       2,193    
IA         :   15,597      19,190     16,480    20,057     1,966       2,179    
ME         :    4,741       5,014      4,882     5,139     2,315       2,316    
MD         :    3,315       3,689      3,744     4,125     2,324       2,061    
MI         :    4,905       4,655      5,177     4,885     2,091       2,121    
MN         :   10,073      11,315     10,908    12,155     2,072       2,123    
MS         :    2,253       2,115      6,111     6,556     1,865       1,952    
MO         :    5,780       5,683      6,709     6,663     2,027       2,146    
NE         :    8,625       8,916      8,775     9,066     2,154       2,088    
NY         :    3,636       3,212      3,960     3,495     2,247       2,260    
NC         :    6,143       5,473     13,848    12,607     1,863       1,896    
OH         :   21,697      23,954     22,081    24,436     2,228       2,185    
OK         :    1,995       1,860      3,765     3,793     1,939       1,951    
OR         :    2,413       2,475      2,619     2,675     2,138       2,280    
PA         :   19,255      19,245     20,540    20,493     2,157       2,181    
SC         :    3,713       3,655      4,748     4,718     2,148       2,183    
SD         :    1,560       1,895      1,803     2,110     2,295       2,211    
TX         :   13,035      12,903     16,451    16,361     2,049       1,913    
VA         :    1,626       1,919      3,690     3,898     2,060       2,129    
WA         :    4,994       4,811      5,238     5,045     2,253       2,240    
WI         :    2,626       2,999      3,150     3,487     2,127       2,065    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  219,780     228,448    274,072   282,177     2,071       2,097    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,160      11,250     15,949    16,064     1,975       2,042    
           :                                                                    
US         :  230,940     239,698    290,021   298,241     2,065       2,094    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                August 1995-96 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    227        207        104         90       123       117    
AR             :    302        278        122        104       180       174    
CA             :    522        548                                              
CO             :     71         70                                              
CT             :     80         81                                              
FL             :    198        198        187        187        11        11    
GA             :    359        388        212        234       147       154    
HI             :     15         14         15         14         0         0    
IL             :     65         77         64         76         1         1    
IN             :    447        487        438        477         9        10    
IA             :    332        441                                              
ME             :    114        123                                              
MD             :     90         87         82         80         8         7    
MI             :    115        107                                              
MN             :    230        266        220        256        10        10    
MS             :    117        132         51         50        66        82    
MO             :    135        148                                              
NE             :    200        201        200        201         0         0    
NY             :     94         83                                              
NC             :    260        252        132        125       128       127    
OH             :    498        556                                              
OK             :     76         77         48         45        28        32    
OR             :     61         63         59         61         2         2    
PA             :    445        464        430        450        15        14    
SC             :    104        102         85         84        19        18    
SD             :     45         49         45         49         0         0    
TX             :    341        322        290        263        51        59    
VA             :     78         97         41         48        37        49    
WA             :    121        121                                              
WI             :     74         76                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,816      6,115      4,928      5,198       888       917    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    330        343        263        276        67        67    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,146      6,458      5,191      5,474       955       984    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                              September 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    217        201         97         89       120       112    
AR             :    291        270        117        100       174       170    
CA             :    518        534                                              
CO             :     66         68                                              
CT             :     79         78                                              
FL             :    192        196        181        184        11        12    
GA             :    353        374        211        226       142       148    
HI             :     14         14         14         14         0         0    
IL             :     59         76         58         75         1         1    
IN             :    436        477        427        468         9         9    
IA             :    324        437                                              
ME             :    113        119                                              
MD             :     87         85         81         79         6         6    
MI             :    108        104                                              
MN             :    226        258        217        247         9        11    
MS             :    114        128         47         48        67        80    
MO             :    136        143                                              
NE             :    189        189        189        189         0         0    
NY             :     89         79                                              
NC             :    258        239        133        120       125       119    
OH             :    492        534                                              
OK             :     73         74         46         44        27        30    
OR             :     56         61         54         59         2         2    
PA             :    443        447        428        433        15        14    
SC             :    102        103         84         85        18        18    
SD             :     41         47         41         47         0         0    
TX             :    337        313        288        256        49        57    
VA             :     76         83         39         44        37        39    
WA             :    118        113                                              
WI             :     67         72                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,675      5,916      4,812      5,039       863       877    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    315        329        251        268        64        61    
               :                                                                
US             :  5,990      6,245      5,063      5,307       927       938    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1995-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1995       :      1996       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       4.6               3.7              23.9              24.3       
Feb     :       6.3               5.5              23.7              22.4       
Mar     :       4.8               3.5              24.1              23.4       
Apr     :       3.4               2.0              23.8              22.9       
May     :       5.7               5.5              22.4              22.2       
Jun     :       6.0               4.7              23.0              22.3       
Jul     :       4.9               4.0              23.4              22.9       
Aug     :       4.1               4.6              23.4              22.0       
Sep     :       4.6               4.3              23.3              22.4       
Oct     :       5.1               4.7              23.3              23.0       
Nov     :       3.6                                24.2                         
Dec     :       2.2                                25.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                      and United States, October 1995-96 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       3.0               2.0              14.0             16.0      
AR        :       2.5               2.5               9.0             10.5      
CA        :       9.5               8.5              44.5             41.0      
CO        :       8.0               7.0              24.0             27.0      
CT        :       3.5                .5              16.0             13.0      
FL        :       8.5               7.5              44.5             36.0      
GA        :       7.0               6.0              20.0             22.5      
HI        :       5.0               6.5              57.5             56.5      
IL        :      11.5               3.5              42.0             18.5      
IN        :       4.5               3.0              25.5             19.0      
IA        :       5.0               4.0              34.0             32.5      
ME        :        .5                .5               1.0              1.5      
MD        :      10.0               8.5              32.5             34.0      
MI        :       5.5               6.5              23.5             15.0      
MN        :       5.0               6.5              32.5             31.0      
MS        :       3.5               3.0              15.0             15.0      
MO        :       4.0               2.5              25.5             22.0      
NE        :       8.5               6.5              19.5             29.0      
NY        :       1.0               1.0               6.0              5.5      
NC        :       4.0               1.0              12.5             15.0      
OH        :       2.5               3.0              12.5             12.0      
OK        :       4.5               4.0              10.5             14.5      
OR        :      11.0               3.0              41.0             34.0      
PA        :       3.0               4.5              20.0             22.0      
SC        :       4.5               5.5              25.0             29.0      
SD        :      16.0               4.0              15.5             57.5      
TX        :       3.0               7.5              23.0             22.0      
VA        :       4.5               5.5              12.0              7.5      
WA        :       5.0               7.0              42.0             41.5      
WI        :      11.0               5.0              22.0             21.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       5.1               4.7              23.4             23.2      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       4.6               5.4              21.2             20.3      
          :                                                                     
US        :       5.1               4.7              23.3             23.0      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, September-October 1995-96        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Oct 1            :    30,858       30,282        98     
  Chicks Hatched During Sep              :    33,578       31,956        95     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Sep            :   303,157      310,172       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Sep for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       292          231        79     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     3,135        2,863        91     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Oct 1            :   541,946      538,040        99     
  Chicks Hatched During Sep              :   638,901      656,696       103     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Sep            : 5,955,331    6,079,273       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Sep for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,288        6,166        98     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    54,183       55,584       103     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Mar 1995 through Feb 1996.              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Jun 1995 through Feb 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               October 1, 1995-96                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    3,931        4,919        125     
E North Central                          :    8,599        8,394         98     
W North Central                          :    5,693        5,048         89     
South Atlantic                           :    5,157        4,351         84     
South Central                            :    3,642        3,201         88     
West                                     :    3,836        4,369        114     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   30,858       30,282         98     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                September 1995-96                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :           September            :             Jan-Sep             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,072        591       55        9,717       8,186       84    
FL           :   1,135      1,187      105        9,431       9,921      105    
GA           :   1,943      2,113      109       16,191      18,779      116    
IN           :   7,739      6,849       88       62,600      65,344      104    
IA           :   3,014      2,920       97       31,386      29,991       96    
KS           :     362        331       91        2,467       2,378       96    
MN           :   2,044      1,684       82       19,679      18,472       94    
MO           :     355        359      101        4,161       3,123       75    
PA           :   2,616      5,156      197       30,481      37,178      122    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  13,298     10,766       81      117,044     116,800      100    
             :                                                                  
US           :  33,578     31,956       95      303,157     310,172      102    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
      :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:   1994   :  1995   :  1996  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1995  :          :         :        :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 33,236   32,375   31,547     97     33,236     32,375   31,547     97   
Feb   : 31,086   32,745   34,652    106     64,322     65,120   66,199    102   
Mar   : 33,489   36,021   37,687    105     97,811    101,141  103,886    103   
Apr   : 35,657   35,020   35,553    102    133,468    136,161  139,439    102   
May   : 35,322   37,482   38,477    103    168,790    173,643  177,916    102   
Jun   : 31,985   34,948   33,998     97    200,775    208,591  211,914    102   
Jul   : 29,613   29,554   33,828    114    230,388    238,145  245,742    103   
Aug   : 31,295   31,434   32,474    103    261,683    269,579  278,216    103   
Sep   : 31,587   33,578   31,956     95    293,270    303,157  310,172    102   
Oct   : 32,066   33,384                    325,336    336,541                   
Nov   : 26,075   29,130                    351,411    365,671                   
Dec   : 30,166   30,797                    381,577    396,468                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1994-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   213      236     171       72      3,022       3,108       2,905   
Feb      :   184      251     238       95      3,009       3,089       2,929   
Mar      :   259      356     317       89      3,075       2,943       2,938   
Apr      :   277      317     252       79      3,106       2,920       2,877   
May      :   334      193     291      151      3,119       2,951               
Jun      :   257      234     282      121      3,187       2,835               
Jul      :   254      235     259      110      3,045       2,941               
Aug      :   309      163     172      106      3,068       2,876               
Sep      :   315      292     231       79      3,135       2,863               
Oct      :   278      309                       3,232       2,824               
Nov      :   240      124                       3,272       2,759               
Dec      :   125      231                       3,131       2,857               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 3,045    2,941                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For September 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Mar 1995 through 
    Feb 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, October 1, 1995-96                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,697              11,017                94         
E North Central    :        7,059               7,362               104         
W North Central    :       19,243              20,215               105         
South Atlantic     :      216,985             209,856                97         
South Central      :      266,999             270,059               101         
West               :       19,963              19,531                98         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      541,946             538,040                99         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                      and United States, September 1995-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :           September            :             Jan-Sep             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  84,357     84,824      101       818,399     771,186      94    
AR           : 102,010    103,512      101       927,686     942,967     102    
DE           :  16,144     15,666       97       150,450     145,381      97    
FL           :   9,853      9,633       98        91,017      91,596     101    
GA           :  90,559     98,687      109       860,809     916,649     106    
MD           :  29,933     29,580       99       281,083     279,244      99    
MS           :  52,411     57,065      109       485,513     512,307     106    
NC           :  61,089     59,664       98       563,727     561,692     100    
PA           :  10,336     12,071      117       100,616     104,969     104    
SC           :  14,848     15,094      102       138,032     136,881      99    
TX           :  38,804     41,535      107       351,208     370,008     105    
VA           :  22,679     22,808      101       212,905     209,521      98    
CA TN & WV   :  31,776     31,875      100       306,633     306,551     100    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 564,799    582,014      103     5,288,078   5,348,952     101    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,298      5,048       95        51,005      50,559      99    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  68,804     69,634      101       616,248     679,762     110    
             :                                                                  
US           : 638,901    656,696      103     5,955,331   6,079,273     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, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
       :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:  1994  :  1995   :  1996   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1995  :        :         :         :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :618,111  662,476  686,359    104    618,111   662,476   686,359   104   
Feb    :558,589  600,116  646,085    108  1,176,700 1,262,592 1,332,444   106   
Mar    :640,316  679,090  689,719    102  1,817,016 1,941,682 2,022,163   104   
Apr    :627,050  664,150  665,443    100  2,444,066 2,605,832 2,687,606   103   
May    :658,689  692,004  698,176    101  3,102,755 3,297,836 3,385,782   103   
Jun    :647,342  670,839  670,593    100  3,750,097 3,968,675 4,056,375   102   
Jul    :646,875  673,687  677,611    101  4,396,972 4,642,362 4,733,986   102   
Aug    :654,309  674,068  688,591    102  5,051,281 5,316,430 5,422,577   102   
Sep    :626,706  638,901  656,696    103  5,677,987 5,955,331 6,079,273   102   
Oct    :620,679  654,221                  6,298,666 6,609,552                   
Nov    :600,055  627,767                  6,898,721 7,237,319                   
Dec    :663,595  691,193                  7,562,316 7,928,512                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1994-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,988    5,710   5,538      97     53,071      54,562      56,103   
Feb      :  5,452    5,484   5,916     108     53,563      54,522      56,512   
Mar      :  6,334    6,161   6,374     103     53,808      55,178      56,374   
Apr      :  6,121    6,320   6,442     102     54,576      55,053      56,322   
May      :  6,266    6,135   6,776     110     54,930      55,356               
Jun      :  5,911    6,178   6,169     100     55,297      56,528               
Jul      :  6,104    6,302   6,422     102     55,376      56,585               
Aug      :  6,064    6,475   6,518     101     54,965      55,803               
Sep      :  6,336    6,288   6,166      98     54,183      55,584               
Oct      :  6,342    6,013                     54,433      55,781               
Nov      :  5,819    6,656                     54,649      55,921               
Dec      :  6,413    6,218                     54,720      56,222               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,150   73,940                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,171    7,040   6,782      96                                      
Feb      :  6,762    7,180   7,167     100                                      
Mar      :  7,464    7,577   7,645     101                                      
Apr      :  7,284    7,835   7,664      98                                      
May      :  7,394    7,873   8,234     105                                      
Jun      :  7,382    7,485   7,467     100                                      
Jul      :  7,146    7,730   7,923     102                                      
Aug      :  7,290    7,850   8,128     104                                      
Sep      :  7,545    7,730   7,771     101                                      
Oct      :  7,959    7,301                                                      
Nov      :  7,251    7,784                                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,750                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,556   91,135                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For Sep 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jun 1995 through Feb   
    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         
November 22, 1996.                                                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA     
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).     
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,      
D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is   
an equal employment opportunity employer.                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
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