HDR1012000150020423961500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released April 23, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service        
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office  
hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS  
Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:  NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.           
Estimates refer to February, March and April 1996.                              
                                                                                
                 March Egg Production up 1 percent                              
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.51 billion during March 1996, up 1 percent from   
the 6.45 billion produced March 1995.  Production included 5.52 billion table   
eggs and 990 million hatching egg type, of which 926 million were broiler-type  
and 64.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during March 1996   
averaged 299 million, up 1 percent from the average number of layers during     
March 1995.  March egg production per 100 layers was 2,177 eggs, compared with  
2,173 in March 1995.                                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (4-96)                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on April 1, 1996, totaled 299 million, up 1 percent      
from a year ago.  The 299 million layers consisted of 245 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 50.4 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.74 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on April 1, 1996, averaged 70.9 eggs per    
100 layers, down slightly from the 71.1 eggs a year ago.                        
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.16 billion eggs  
during March, up 1 percent from March 1995.  The average number of layers       
during March, at 283 million, was  up 1 percent from the year earlier.          
                                                                                
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing         
States.  These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for      
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the  
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the  
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State   
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg     
Production" report.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 5 Percent                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during March totaled 37.7 million, up 5 percent from    
March 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 33.4 million on April 1, 1996, up       
1 percent from a year ago.                                                      
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 317,000 during March 1995, down 11 percent   
from the 356,000 of March 1995.                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 2 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The March 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 690 million, was 2 percent      
above March of the previous year. There were 561 million eggs in incubators on  
April 1, 1996, down slightly from a year earlier.                               
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.37 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during March 1996, up 3 percent from            
March 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           298,957     
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293                       
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548                       
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705                       
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557                       
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837                       
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021                       
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459                       
Nov      :     288,875          297,134           295,562                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  March 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      6,509      5,492      5,519         956         990   
Apr        :   6,177                 5,238                    939               
May        :   6,251                 5,271                    980               
Jun        :   6,010                 5,060                    950               
Jul        :   6,145                 5,179                    966               
Aug        :   6,146                 5,191                    955               
Sep        :   5,990                 5,063                    927               
Oct        :   6,260                 5,301                    959               
Nov        :   6,232                 5,298                    934               
During Year:  74,258     25,425     62,932     21,564      11,326       3,861   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                 and Forced Molt, United States, February-March                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Feb              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 297,759      299,222         100     
    Table Egg Type                       : 245,513      245,573         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,246       53,649         103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,443       50,970         103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,803        2,679          96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   1,919        1,996         104     
    Table Egg Type                       :   1,977        2,058         104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,646        1,711         104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,618        1,689         104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,141        2,128          99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Feb       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   5,714        5,971         104     
    Table Egg Type                       :   4,854        5,053         104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     860          918         107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     800          861         108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      60           57          95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Mar 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 297,689      299,219         101     
    Table Egg Type                       : 245,647      245,410         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,042       53,809         103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,226       51,078         104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,816        2,731          97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :    69.7         69.5         100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    72.0         71.8         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    58.9         59.1         100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    57.9         58.3         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    75.3         74.8          99     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Mar 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :     4.8          3.5          73     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :    24.1         23.4          97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
               and Forced Molt, United States, March-April 1995-96              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Mar                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  296,796      298,957        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  244,606      245,451        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,190       53,506        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,307       50,767        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,883        2,739         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Mar  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,173        2,177        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,245        2,249        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,832        1,850        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,805        1,824        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,289        2,337        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Mar       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,448        6,509        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,492        5,519        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      956          990        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      890          926        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       66           64         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Apr 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  296,290      298,653        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  243,972      245,474        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,318       53,179        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,376       50,440        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,942        2,739         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Apr 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     71.1         70.9        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.6         73.2         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.5         60.1        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.5         59.2        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     76.0         76.9        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Apr 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.4          2.0         59     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.8         22.8         96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
              Molt, February-March, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :   1996 2/  :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Feb                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  281,073      283,200        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,257      233,090        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,816       50,110        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,113       47,527        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,703        2,583         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    1,919        1,995        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    1,976        2,056        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,647        1,712        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,616        1,687        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,183        2,168         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Feb       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,394        5,651        105     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,590        4,793        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      804          858        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      745          802        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           56         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Mar 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  281,050      283,189        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,444      232,947        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,606       50,242        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,887       47,618        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,719        2,624         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.6         69.5        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.9         71.7        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     58.9         59.1        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     57.9         58.2        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.2         74.9        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Mar 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.8          3.5         73     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.1         23.5         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Feb           (1,000) :   14,856       15,023        101     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Feb                      (1,000) :    3,014        2,667         88     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Mar 1                   (1,000) :   70,345       71,201        101     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Feb         (1,000) :   19,565       20,579        105     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March-April, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Mar                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,309      283,008        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  231,541      233,054        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,768       49,954        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,968       47,317        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,800        2,637         94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Mar  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,171        2,177        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,242        2,247        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,833        1,852        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,803        1,824        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,321        2,351        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Mar       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,085        6,161        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,191        5,236        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      894          925        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      829          863        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       65           62         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Apr 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  279,970      282,798        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  231,056      233,151        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,914       49,647        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,040       47,004        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,874        2,643         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Apr 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     71.1         70.9        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.5         73.2        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.5         60.0        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.5         59.1        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.9         76.6        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Apr 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.4          2.0         59     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.9         22.9         96     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Mar           (1,000) :   17,183       15,444         90     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During Mar                      (1,000) :    2,662        2,641         99     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Apr 1                   (1,000) :   72,019       70,464         98     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Mar         (1,000) :   21,187       17,335         82     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 February 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         :    4,620       4,054     11,711    10,891     1,733       1,763    
AR         :    6,191       5,712     16,224    16,053     1,707       1,757    
CA         :   25,515      25,103     26,100    25,661     1,893       2,007    
CO         :    2,624       2,654      3,173     3,232     1,986       2,073    
CT         :    3,323       3,381      3,509     3,529     2,023       2,125    
FL         :    8,591       8,346      9,203     9,040     1,999       1,991    
GA         :   10,368      10,834     18,075    18,941     1,826       1,906    
HI         :      731         727        776       774     1,868       1,946    
IL         :    2,703       2,990      2,909     3,192     2,097       2,162    
IN         :   20,823      20,729     21,731    21,791     2,016       2,047    
IA         :   15,820      17,285     16,700    18,131     1,820       2,035    
ME         :    4,753       4,837      4,911     4,967     2,118       2,275    
MD         :    3,025       3,612      3,622     4,119     1,988       2,039    
MI         :    5,107       4,845      5,400     5,105     2,066       2,071    
MN         :   10,270      10,860     11,106    11,693     1,981       2,070    
MS         :    2,359       2,310      6,231     6,252     1,733       1,823    
MO         :    5,935       5,525      6,790     6,641     1,900       1,942    
NE         :    8,850       8,976      9,000     9,126     2,072       2,004    
NY         :    3,510       3,548      3,852     3,847     2,129       2,184    
NC         :    6,388       6,058     14,041    13,897     1,716       1,749    
OH         :   22,246      22,861     22,531    23,295     2,019       2,164    
OK         :    1,955       2,000      3,725     3,868     1,826       1,939    
OR         :    2,350       2,650      2,543     2,843     2,045       2,110    
PA         :   20,570      19,880     21,980    21,230     2,047       2,124    
SC         :    4,024       3,775      5,049     4,808     2,020       1,913    
SD         :    1,508       1,558      1,743     1,730     1,882       2,074    
TX         :   12,520      13,214     15,801    16,450     1,873       1,939    
VA         :    1,707       1,617      3,845     3,710     1,795       1,887    
WA         :    5,139       4,888      5,411     5,118     2,070       2,149    
WI         :    2,850       2,775      3,381     3,266     1,893       1,990    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  226,375     227,604    281,073   283,200     1,919       1,995    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,864      11,154     16,686    16,022     1,918       1,997    
           :                                                                    
US         :  238,239     238,758    297,759   299,222     1,919       1,996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 March 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         :    4,736       4,044     11,720    10,810     1,988       1,924    
AR         :    6,017       5,686     16,024    16,008     1,922       1,887    
CA         :   25,487      24,706     26,073    25,246     2,178       2,242    
CO         :    2,673       2,574      3,224     3,174     2,171       2,237    
CT         :    3,359       3,342      3,549     3,484     2,282       2,296    
FL         :    8,587       8,416      9,202     9,099     2,282       2,187    
GA         :   10,412      10,923     18,109    18,962     2,098       2,120    
HI         :      725         733        768       776     2,080       2,083    
IL         :    2,642       2,948      2,839     3,141     2,325       2,356    
IN         :   20,522      20,549     21,416    21,624     2,265       2,238    
IA         :   15,840      17,351     16,725    18,210     2,033       2,186    
ME         :    4,822       4,737      4,977     4,870     2,331       2,485    
MD         :    3,242       3,641      3,823     4,109     2,223       2,166    
MI         :    4,966       4,823      5,250     5,085     2,325       2,217    
MN         :   10,253      11,033     11,096    11,881     2,217       2,222    
MS         :    2,330       2,358      6,189     6,309     1,971       2,013    
MO         :    5,865       5,448      6,728     6,573     2,155       2,099    
NE         :    8,850       9,022      9,000     9,172     2,313       2,186    
NY         :    3,483       3,609      3,840     3,928     2,396       2,317    
NC         :    6,416       6,029     14,101    13,787     1,929       1,908    
OH         :   21,928      23,019     22,263    23,494     2,313       2,328    
OK         :    2,035       1,998      3,750     3,888     2,053       2,032    
OR         :    2,330       2,601      2,536     2,804     2,287       2,389    
PA         :   20,385      19,830     21,790    21,175     2,322       2,333    
SC         :    4,065       3,793      5,075     4,781     2,207       2,175    
SD         :    1,493       1,585      1,725     1,760     2,275       2,201    
TX         :   12,398      13,405     15,726    16,681     2,137       2,134    
VA         :    1,717       1,602      3,864     3,695     2,045       1,976    
WA         :    5,257       4,914      5,531     5,152     2,242       2,368    
WI         :    2,864       2,837      3,396     3,330     2,179       2,222    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  225,699     227,556    280,309   283,008     2,171       2,177    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,682      11,069     16,487    15,949     2,202       2,176    
           :                                                                    
US         :  237,381     238,625    296,796   298,957     2,173       2,177    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                                February 1995-96 1/                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    203        192         92         80       111       112    
AR             :    277        282        120        109       157       173    
CA             :    494        515                                              
CO             :     63         67                                              
CT             :     71         75                                              
FL             :    184        180        174        168        10        12    
GA             :    330        361        199        217       131       144    
HI             :     14         15         14         15         0         0    
IL             :     61         69         60         68         1         1    
IN             :    438        446        428        437        10         9    
IA             :    304        369                                              
ME             :    104        113                                              
MD             :     72         84         63         76         9         8    
MI             :    111        106                                              
MN             :    220        242        211        232         9        10    
MS             :    108        114         45         47        63        67    
MO             :    129        129                                              
NE             :    186        183        186        183         0         0    
NY             :     82         84                                              
NC             :    241        243        124        120       117       123    
OH             :    455        504                                              
OK             :     68         75         43         46        25        29    
OR             :     52         60         50         58         2         2    
PA             :    450        451        434        436        16        15    
SC             :    102         92         85         75        17        17    
SD             :     33         36         33         36         0         0    
TX             :    296        319        252        269        44        50    
VA             :     69         70         34         36        35        34    
WA             :    112        110                                              
WI             :     64         65                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,394      5,651      4,590      4,793       804       858    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    320        320        264        260        56        60    
               :                                                                
US             :  5,714      5,971      4,854      5,053       860       918    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                                March 1995-96 1/                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    233        208        109         87       124       121    
AR             :    308        302        133        117       175       185    
CA             :    568        566                                              
CO             :     70         71                                              
CT             :     81         80                                              
FL             :    210        199        199        185        11        14    
GA             :    380        402        234        246       146       156    
HI             :     16         16         16         16         0         0    
IL             :     66         74         65         73         1         1    
IN             :    485        484        475        475        10         9    
IA             :    340        398                                              
ME             :    116        121                                              
MD             :     85         89         75         81        10         8    
MI             :    122        113                                              
MN             :    246        264        236        253        10        11    
MS             :    122        127         52         54        70        73    
MO             :    145        138                                              
NE             :    208        200        208        200         0         0    
NY             :     92         91                                              
NC             :    272        263        142        131       130       132    
OH             :    515        547                                              
OK             :     77         79         49         49        28        30    
OR             :     58         67         56         65         2         2    
PA             :    506        494        488        477        18        17    
SC             :    112        104         94         86        18        18    
SD             :     39         39         39         39         0         0    
TX             :    336        356        286        302        50        54    
VA             :     79         73         40         36        39        37    
WA             :    124        122                                              
WI             :     74         74                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,085      6,161      5,191      5,236       894       925    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    363        348        301        283        62        65    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,448      6,509      5,492      5,519       956       990    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              22.8       
May     :       5.7                                22.4                         
Jun     :       6.0                                23.0                         
Jul     :       4.9                                23.4                         
Aug     :       4.1                                23.4                         
Sep     :       4.6                                23.3                         
Oct     :       5.1                                23.3                         
Nov     :       3.6                                24.2                         
Dec     :       2.2                                25.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                       and United States, April 1995-96 1/                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       2.0               1.0              15.0             10.0      
AR        :       2.0               2.0              11.5              9.0      
CA        :       7.0               1.5              44.5             46.5      
CO        :       2.0               4.0              24.5             17.5      
CT        :       3.5               3.0              11.0             12.0      
FL        :      15.0               2.0              26.5             32.5      
GA        :       1.0               3.0              23.5             22.5      
HI        :       5.5               8.0              47.0             47.0      
IL        :       3.5               4.5              26.5             28.5      
IN        :       2.0               1.5              32.0             23.5      
IA        :       2.0               2.0              34.0             25.5      
ME        :        .5                .0                .5               .0      
MD        :       6.0              12.0              23.5             31.0      
MI        :        .0               2.0              15.5             21.0      
MN        :       3.5               1.0              26.5             31.5      
MS        :       1.5               2.5              18.5             13.5      
MO        :        .0                .0              18.0             25.5      
NE        :       4.0               4.0              22.0             34.5      
NY        :       1.0                .0               6.0              3.5      
NC        :       2.5               1.5              18.0             14.5      
OH        :       3.5                .5              12.0             11.0      
OK        :       1.5               1.5              17.0             13.0      
OR        :       7.5               5.0              37.5             37.5      
PA        :       2.0               1.5              22.5             21.5      
SC        :       6.5                .0              23.0             32.5      
SD        :        .5               3.0              45.5             23.0      
TX        :       3.0               3.5              25.5             21.0      
VA        :       8.5                .0              13.0             10.0      
WA        :       7.0               3.0              38.0             40.5      
WI        :       3.5                .5              34.0             26.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       3.4               2.0              23.9             22.9      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       3.3               2.5              22.8             20.2      
          :                                                                     
US        :       3.4               2.0              23.8             22.8      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Hatchery Production:  Eggs in Incubators, Chicks Hatched,           
           and Placements by Type, United States, March-April 1995-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Apr 1            :    33,169       33,374       101     
  Chicks Hatched During Mar              :    36,021       37,687       105     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Mar            :   101,141      103,886       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Mar for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       356          317        89     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     3,075        2,943        96     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Apr 1            :   561,304      560,715       100     
  Chicks Hatched During Mar              :   679,090      689,719       102     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Mar            : 1,941,682    2,022,163       104     
  Pullets Hatched During Mar for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,161        6,374       103     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    53,808       55,178       103     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Sep 1994 through Aug 1995.              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Dec 1994 through Aug 1995.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                                April 1, 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,249        4,591        108     
E North Central                          :    8,974        8,668         97     
W North Central                          :    6,439        6,080         94     
South Atlantic                           :    4,904        4,991        102     
South Central                            :    4,195        4,410        105     
West                                     :    4,408        4,634        105     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   33,169       33,374        101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                  March 1995-96                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :             March              :             Jan-Mar             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,066        803       75        3,128       2,911       93    
FL           :     890        963      108        2,986       2,992      100    
GA           :   1,869      2,362      126        5,303       6,391      121    
IN           :   7,061      7,505      106       20,242      22,149      109    
IA           :   3,689      3,829      104       10,710       9,223       86    
KS           :     237        178       75          734         844      115    
MN           :   2,251      2,037       90        6,149       6,278      102    
MO           :     497        427       86        1,166         796       68    
PA           :   3,260      4,121      126        9,863      11,427      116    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  15,201     15,462      102       40,860      40,875      100    
             :                                                                  
US           :  36,021     37,687      105      101,141     103,886      103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                    133,468    136,161                   
May   : 35,322   37,482                    168,790    173,643                   
Jun   : 31,985   34,948                    200,775    208,591                   
Jul   : 29,613   29,554                    230,388    238,145                   
Aug   : 31,295   31,434                    261,683    269,579                   
Sep   : 31,587   33,578                    293,270    303,157                   
Oct   : 32,066   33,384                    325,336    336,541                   
Nov   : 26,075   29,130                    351,411    365,671                   
Dec   : 30,166   30,797                    381,577    396,468                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1994-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   213      236     171      72       3,021       3,022       3,108   
Feb      :   184      251     238      95       3,041       3,009       3,089   
Mar      :   259      356     317      89       2,997       3,075       2,943   
Apr      :   277      317                       3,033       3,106       2,920   
May      :   334      193                       3,051       3,119       2,951   
Jun      :   257      234                       2,944       3,187       2,835   
Jul      :   254      235                       3,025       3,045       2,941   
Aug      :   309      163                       3,011       3,068       2,876   
Sep      :   315      292                       3,052       3,135       2,863   
Oct      :   278      309                       3,019       3,232       2,824   
Nov      :   240      124                       3,021       3,272               
Dec      :   125      231                       3,056       3,131               
         :                                                                      
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 March 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Sep 1994 through Aug 
    1995.  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and       
    additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region                  
                       and United States, April 1, 1995-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       12,759              12,793               100         
E North Central    :        8,310               7,385                89         
W North Central    :       18,115              18,884               104         
South Atlantic     :      222,668             223,253               100         
South Central      :      276,728             276,343               100         
West               :       22,724              22,057                97         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      561,304             560,715               100         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                        and United States, March 1995-96                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :             March              :             Jan-Mar             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  94,927     87,221       92       274,553     255,323      93    
AR           : 105,016    107,806      103       302,613     318,505     105    
DE           :  17,462     16,991       97        49,901      49,070      98    
FL           :   9,893     10,466      106        27,623      30,988     112    
GA           :  97,205    104,541      108       279,715     306,082     109    
MD           :  32,378     32,015       99        93,320      95,676     103    
MS           :  54,678     55,847      102       159,804     164,972     103    
NC           :  64,044     64,572      101       181,429     188,662     104    
PA           :  11,442     11,761      103        32,543      33,168     102    
SC           :  16,363     15,682       96        45,814      45,838     100    
TX           :  40,288     41,767      104       111,983     122,848     110    
VA           :  24,360     24,387      100        70,162      70,646     101    
CA TN & WV   :  35,696     35,706      100        99,353     101,386     102    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 603,752    608,762      101     1,728,813   1,783,164     103    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,999      5,489       91        16,480      16,162      98    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  69,339     75,468      109       196,389     222,837     113    
             :                                                                  
US           : 679,090    689,719      102     1,941,682   2,022,163     104    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                  2,444,066 2,605,832                   
May    :658,689  692,004                  3,102,755 3,297,836                   
Jun    :647,342  670,839                  3,750,097 3,968,675                   
Jul    :646,875  673,687                  4,396,972 4,642,362                   
Aug    :654,309  674,068                  5,051,281 5,316,430                   
Sep    :626,706  638,901                  5,677,987 5,955,331                   
Oct    :620,679  654,221                  6,298,666 6,609,552                   
Nov    :600,055  627,767                  6,898,721 7,237,319                   
Dec    :663,595  691,193                  7,562,316 7,928,512                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1994-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,988    5,710   5,538      97     49,351      53,071      54,562   
Feb      :  5,452    5,484   5,916     108     49,810      53,563      54,522   
Mar      :  6,334    6,161   6,374     103     50,568      53,808      55,178   
Apr      :  6,121    6,320                     50,583      54,576      55,053   
May      :  6,266    6,135                     50,432      54,930      55,356   
Jun      :  5,911    6,178                     51,552      55,297      56,528   
Jul      :  6,104    6,302                     51,343      55,376      56,585   
Aug      :  6,064    6,475                     51,667      54,965      55,803   
Sep      :  6,336    6,288                     51,076      54,183      55,584   
Oct      :  6,342    6,013                     51,743      54,433      55,781   
Nov      :  5,819    6,656                     51,798      54,649               
Dec      :  6,413    6,218                     52,380      54,720               
         :                                                                      
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                                                      
May      :  7,394    7,873                                                      
Jun      :  7,382    7,485                                                      
Jul      :  7,146    7,730                                                      
Aug      :  7,290    7,850                                                      
Sep      :  7,545    7,730                                                      
Oct      :  7,959    7,301                                                      
Nov      :  7,251    7,784                                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,750                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,556   91,135                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For Mar 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Dec 1994 through Aug   
    1995.                                                                       
3/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.                           
                                                                                
                    Procedures and Reliability                                  
                                                                                
Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly  
             and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt is    
made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known         
contractor and independent producer who has over 30,000 table egg layers.       
Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated    
each month based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900 contractors,  
independent egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each     
month.  All known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information  
on a weekly and/or monthly basis.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late      
            reports or corrected data indicates a different level.              
Additionally, revisions needed after the monthly report will be made at the     
end of the marketing year and published in the annual summaries of "Layers and  
Egg Production" and "Hatchery Production".                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given    
                             adequate time to respond by mail.  Those that do   
not respond are phoned.  Great care is exercised to ensure that all operations  
are accounted for during each survey period.  However, there are usually        
missing reports that must be accounted for in the estimates.                    
                                                                                
Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the          
reported data.  All data are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data  
are compared to their own past operating profiles and also to trends from       
other operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar   
operations or historical data.  Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors  
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these     
errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data    
for consistency and reasonableness.                                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated    
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and       
research purposes.  The relationship of chicks hatched to chicken inventory     
and poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The disposition of egg-type     
chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary                
significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory         
inconsistent over time.                                                         
                                                                                
Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks      
expected from eggs sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report       
account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply       
flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the      
number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months        
before the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the      
January 1996 publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements went  
from 7-14 months earlier to 7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type cumulative       
potential placements of 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting  
and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements  
of egg-type hatching flocks.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on            
May 24, 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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