HDR1012000150020624971500CHICKENS AND EGGS                                      
Chickens                                                                        
and Eggs                                                                        
                                                                                
National                                                                        
Agricultural                                                                    
Statistics                                                                      
Service                                                                         
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released June 24, 1997, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 
Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For information 
on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office hours        
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  May Egg Production Up 3 Percent                               
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.50 billion during May 1997, up 3 percent from the 
6.34 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.46 billion table eggs and 
1.04 billion hatching eggs, of which 978 million were broiler-type and          
64.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during May 1997 averaged
301 million, up 2 percent from the average number of layers during May 1996.    
May egg production per 100 layers was 2,157 eggs, compared with 2,153 in May    
1996.                                                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (6-97)                                                                  
All layers in the U.S. on June 1, 1997, totaled 301 million, up 2 percent from a
year ago.  The 301 million layers consisted of 245 million layers producing     
table or commercial type eggs, 53.0 million layers producing broiler-type       
hatching eggs, and 2.68 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs.  Rate  
of lay per day on June 1, 1997, averaged 70.0 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent 
from the 69.5 a year ago.                                                       
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.17 billion eggs  
during May, up 3 percent from May 1996.  The average number of layers during    
May, at 286 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 Up 1 Percent                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during May totaled 38.9 million, up 1 percent from      
May 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 33.4 million on June 1, 1997, up 5 percent
from a year ago.                                                                
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks 
by leading breeders totaled 268,000 during May 1997, down 8 percent from the    
291,000 of May 1996.                                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
             Broiler Hatch Up 3 Percent                                         
                                                                                
The May 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 721 million, was up 3 percent     
from  May of the previous year. There were 596 million eggs in incubators on    
June 1, 1997, up 4 percent from a year earlier.                                 
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 7.06 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during May 1997, up 4 percent from May 1996.    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                       For information call Tom Kruchten at  (202) 690-4870     
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                             United States, 1994-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1994       :      1995      :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 1/   :     290,642          299,160           298,861           303,669     
Jan      :     290,041          298,367           298,814           303,293     
Feb      :     290,047          297,293           298,357           302,971     
Mar      :     290,719          296,561           298,209           303,244     
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605           302,666     
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458           301,446     
Jun      :     287,974          290,313           293,915                       
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349                       
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785                       
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696                       
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196                       
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1996-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,523      6,678      5,548      5,695         975         983   
Jan        :   6,398      6,554      5,420      5,567         978         987   
Feb        :   5,954      5,887      5,036      4,985         918         902   
Mar        :   6,495      6,600      5,505      5,580         990       1,020   
Apr        :   6,243      6,334      5,284      5,336         959         998   
May        :   6,340      6,501      5,341      5,459         999       1,042   
Jun        :   6,169                 5,209                    960               
Jul        :   6,440                 5,457                    983               
Aug        :   6,447                 5,465                    982               
Sep        :   6,235                 5,297                    938               
Oct        :   6,495                 5,539                    956               
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938               
During Year:  76,148     38,554     64,572     32,622      11,576       5,932   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
              and Forced Molt, United States, April-May 1996-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Apr              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 296,605      302,666         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 243,578      247,463         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  53,027       55,203         104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  50,303       52,541         104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,724        2,662          98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Apr (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,105        2,093          99     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,169        2,156          99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,809        1,808         100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,781        1,787         100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,313        2,216          96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Apr       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,243        6,334         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,284        5,336         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     959          998         104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     896          939         105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      63           59          94     
                                         :                                      
Layers on May 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 295,123      302,250         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 242,275      246,608         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,848       55,642         105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  50,150       52,955         106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,698        2,687         100     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on May 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.4         69.1       100     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.3         71.1       100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      60.3         60.4       100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      59.5         59.5       100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      76.3         76.8       101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on May 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       5.4          5.3        98     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      22.2         19.8        89     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                and Forced Molt, United States, May-June 1996-97                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During May                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  294,458      301,446        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  241,542      245,764        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,916       55,682        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,226       52,994        106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,690        2,688        100     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During May  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,153        2,157        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,211        2,221        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,888        1,871         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,862        1,845         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,379        2,381        100     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During May       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,340        6,501        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,341        5,459        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      999        1,042        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      935          978        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       64           64        100     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jun 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  293,740      300,589        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  240,780      244,894        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,960       55,695        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,290       53,017        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,670        2,678        100     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jun 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.5         70.0        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         72.2        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     61.0         60.2         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     60.3         59.5         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.6         75.6        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Jun 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.7          4.4         94     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.2         20.8         94     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
               Molt, April-May, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Apr                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,770      286,607        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  231,234      235,194        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,536       51,413        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,908       48,860        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,628        2,553         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Apr  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,105        2,098        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,168        2,161        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,809        1,809        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,780        1,789        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,321        2,193         94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Apr       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,910        6,012        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,014        5,082        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      896          930        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      835          874        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       61           56         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers on May 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  279,297      286,340        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,896      234,488        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,401       51,852        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,799       49,281        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,602        2,571         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on May 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.4         69.3        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         71.3        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.5         60.3        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.6         59.5        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.9         76.6        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on May 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.5          5.2         95     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.3         19.9         89     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Apr           (1,000) :   16,792       15,892         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed, or     :                                      
Composted Disappeared For Any Reason     :                                      
 During Apr                      (1,000) :    2,570        3,717        145     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, May 1                   (1,000) :   71,033       74,316        105     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Apr  3/     (1,000) :   17,527       18,681        107     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet focks.  1997 is      
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flock.                            
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
                 Molt, 30 Selected States, May-June, 1996-97 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During May                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  278,480      285,631        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,116      233,711        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,364       51,920        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,768       49,348        106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,596        2,572         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During May  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,153        2,160        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,210        2,225        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,890        1,872         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,862        1,846         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,388        2,372         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During May       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,997        6,171        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,064        5,199        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      933          972        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      871          911        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       62           61         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jun 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  277,627      284,883        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  228,319      232,917        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,308       51,966        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,728       49,402        106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,580        2,564         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jun 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.5         70.0        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         72.2        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     61.1         60.4         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     60.3         59.6         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.3         75.9        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Jun 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.7          4.5         96     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.4         20.6         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During May           (1,000) :   19,312       15,033         78     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During May                      (1,000) :    3,141        3,362        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Jun 1                   (1,000) :   71,748       76,641        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During May 4/       (1,000):   22,675       19,063         84     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Preliminary.                                                                
4/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 is     
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.                           
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                   and United States, During April 1996-97 1/                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996    :    1997    :  1996  :  1997   :   1996    :    1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,254       4,115     10,826    10,847     1,921       1,936    
AR         :    5,345       4,507     15,497    14,710     1,839       1,829    
CA         :   24,061      24,853     24,600    25,474     2,146       2,100    
CO         :    2,625       2,553      3,228     3,139     2,076       2,103    
CT         :    3,338       3,332      3,479     3,477     2,213       2,186    
FL         :    8,240       8,119      8,915     8,823     2,120       2,097    
GA         :   10,721      11,023     18,709    19,945     2,036       1,980    
HI         :      729         709        767       733     1,950       2,052    
IL         :    3,001       3,188      3,189     3,327     2,320       2,164    
IN         :   20,321      20,100     21,378    20,948     2,138       2,172    
IA         :   17,678      20,216     18,542    21,166     2,184       2,154    
ME         :    4,735       4,949      4,878     5,055     2,378       2,295    
MD         :    3,313       3,035      3,757     3,418     2,023       2,224    
MI         :    4,875       4,844      5,141     5,089     2,163       2,169    
MN         :   11,145      10,948     11,990    11,716     2,135       2,100    
MS         :    2,333       1,910      6,382     6,722     1,927       1,964    
MO         :    5,330       5,493      6,466     6,728     2,057       2,066    
NE         :    8,846       9,288      8,996     9,438     2,175       2,139    
NY         :    3,675       3,063      4,002     3,280     2,299       2,226    
NC         :    5,819       4,862     13,506    12,751     1,873       1,890    
OH         :   23,159      25,497     23,644    26,053     2,233       2,215    
OK         :    1,963       1,688      3,841     3,596     1,927       1,919    
OR         :    2,535       2,785      2,735     2,961     2,267       2,195    
PA         :   19,635      19,855     20,983    21,135     2,221       2,271    
SC         :    3,672       3,703      4,681     4,716     2,179       2,120    
SD         :    1,925       1,763      2,138     2,023     2,097       2,160    
TX         :   12,969      13,150     16,172    16,651     2,053       2,036    
VA         :    1,657       2,475      3,804     3,859     1,866       1,995    
WA         :    4,921       4,787      5,164     5,148     2,246       2,195    
WI         :    2,865       3,049      3,360     3,679     2,173       2,147    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  225,685     229,859    280,770   286,607     2,105       2,098    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,042      11,195     15,835    16,059     2,103       2,005    
           :                                                                    
US         :  236,727     241,054    296,605   302,666     2,105       2,093    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                    and United States, During May 1996-97 1/                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996    :    1997    :  1996  :  1997   :   1996    :    1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,056       4,140     10,566    11,092     1,978       1,983    
AR         :    5,219       4,300     15,204    14,469     1,934       1,901    
CA         :   23,744      24,474     24,300    25,096     2,202       2,172    
CO         :    2,676       2,514      3,272     3,096     2,109       2,099    
CT         :    3,345       3,318      3,483     3,456     2,239       2,228    
FL         :    8,126       8,003      8,799     8,650     2,103       2,116    
GA         :   10,296      10,773     18,225    19,623     2,052       2,033    
HI         :      719         695        754       719     1,956       2,031    
IL         :    3,027       3,083      3,222     3,224     2,390       2,140    
IN         :   20,214      20,233     21,288    21,094     2,189       2,233    
IA         :   17,667      20,496     18,538    21,470     2,249       2,278    
ME         :    4,835       4,930      4,984     5,035     2,528       2,443    
MD         :    3,423       2,970      3,888     3,398     2,109       2,325    
MI         :    4,759       4,782      5,021     5,024     2,217       2,176    
MN         :   11,045      10,778     11,875    11,564     2,189       2,153    
MS         :    2,290       1,825      6,505     6,604     1,983       1,999    
MO         :    5,348       5,381      6,516     6,631     2,056       2,066    
NE         :    8,764       9,235      8,914     9,385     2,189       2,266    
NY         :    3,626       3,143      3,947     3,354     2,382       2,326    
NC         :    5,445       4,691     13,021    12,807     1,943       1,944    
OH         :   23,377      25,127     23,866    25,706     2,258       2,287    
OK         :    1,960       1,600      3,833     3,533     2,009       2,010    
OR         :    2,503       2,827      2,703     3,016     2,257       2,255    
PA         :   19,250      20,030     20,565    21,308     2,256       2,314    
SC         :    3,673       3,556      4,723     4,608     2,181       2,192    
SD         :    1,945       1,805      2,160     2,075     2,145       2,241    
TX         :   12,788      13,261     15,985    16,795     2,089       2,078    
VA         :    1,659       2,602      3,805     3,993     1,971       2,004    
WA         :    4,938       4,873      5,173     5,234     2,300       2,293    
WI         :    2,845       2,926      3,345     3,572     2,272       2,156    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  223,562     228,371    278,480   285,631     2,153       2,160    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,142      10,982     15,978    15,815     2,147       2,087    
           :                                                                    
US         :  234,704     239,353    294,458   301,446     2,153       2,157    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 1996 Revised.                                             
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                April 1996-97 1/                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    208        210         91         92       117       118    
AR             :    285        269        106         88       179       181    
CA             :    528        535                                              
CO             :     67         66                                              
CT             :     77         76                                              
FL             :    189        185        176        171        13        14    
GA             :    381        395        228        233       153       162    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     74         72         73         71         1         1    
IN             :    457        455        448        446         9         9    
IA             :    405        456                                              
ME             :    116        116                                              
MD             :     76         76         69         70         7         6    
MI             :    111        110                                              
MN             :    256        246        245        237        11         9    
MS             :    123        132         49         43        74        89    
MO             :    133        139                                              
NE             :    196        202        196        202         0         0    
NY             :     92         73                                              
NC             :    253        241        125        108       128       133    
OH             :    528        577                                              
OK             :     74         69         46         39        28        30    
OR             :     62         65         60         64         2         1    
PA             :    466        480        449        464        17        16    
SC             :    102        100         85         82        17        18    
SD             :     44         44         44         44         0         0    
TX             :    332        339                                              
VA             :     71         77         35         52        36        25    
WA             :    116        113                                              
WI             :     73         79                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,910      6,012      5,014      5,082       896       930    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    333        322        270        254        63        68    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,243      6,334      5,284      5,336       959       998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                 May 1996-97 1/                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    209        220         90         96       119        124   
AR             :    294        275        108         88       186        187   
CA             :    535        545                                              
CO             :     69         65                                              
CT             :     78         77                                              
FL             :    185        183        172        171        13         12   
GA             :    374        399        218        233       156        166   
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0          0   
IL             :     77         69         76         68         1          1   
IN             :    466        471        456        461        10         10   
IA             :    417        489                                              
ME             :    126        123                                              
MD             :     82         79         75         72         7          7   
MI             :    111        109                                              
MN             :    260        249        249        239        11         10   
MS             :    129        132         49         41        80         91   
MO             :    134        137                                              
NE             :    195        213        195        213         0          0   
NY             :     94         78                                              
NC             :    253        249        121        106       132        143   
OH             :    539        588                                              
OK             :     77         71         47         39        30         32   
OR             :     61         68         59         66         2          2   
PA             :    464        493        447        477        17         16   
SC             :    103        101         85         83        18         18   
SD             :     46         47         46         47         0          0   
TX             :    334        349                                              
VA             :     75         80         36         53        39         27   
WA             :    119        120                                              
WI             :     76         77                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,997      6,171      5,064      5,199       933        972   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    343        330        277        260        66         70   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,340      6,501      5,341      5,459       999      1,042   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 1996 Revised.                                             
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1996-97 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1996       :      1997       :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       3.7               3.8              24.3              22.3       
Feb     :       5.4               5.1              22.3              21.6       
Mar     :       3.5               2.4              23.3              22.9       
Apr     :       1.9               3.1              22.9              21.8       
May     :       5.4               5.3              22.2              19.8       
Jun     :       4.7               4.4              22.2              20.8       
Jul     :       4.0                                22.9                         
Aug     :       4.7                                22.0                         
Sep     :       4.3                                22.3                         
Oct     :       4.8                                23.0                         
Nov     :       3.1                                23.9                         
Dec     :       2.1                                23.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                       and United States, June 1996-97 1/                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       3.0               2.0               9.5              8.0      
AR        :       3.5               1.0               9.5             10.5      
CA        :       5.0              11.0              43.0             38.0      
CO        :       2.0               1.5              26.0             21.0      
CT        :       4.0                .0               9.0              9.0      
FL        :      12.5               6.0              42.0             31.5      
GA        :       5.5               3.0              21.5             20.5      
HI        :      10.0               9.5              50.0             51.0      
IL        :       6.5              11.0              26.0             18.5      
IN        :       3.5               4.5              21.0             18.5      
IA        :       5.0               2.5              32.0             26.0      
ME        :       1.0                .0                .0              2.5      
MD        :       5.0               6.0              43.0             44.0      
MI        :       7.0              12.5              18.0             16.0      
MN        :       4.0               2.5              24.5             33.0      
MS        :       4.0               3.0              13.5             10.0      
MO        :       4.0              11.5              27.0             11.5      
NE        :       5.5               8.5              30.5             26.0      
NY        :       3.0               1.0               4.5              1.5      
NC        :       3.5               3.5              10.5              9.0      
OH        :       3.5               2.0               8.5             12.0      
OK        :       4.0               1.0              14.5              9.5      
OR        :       9.0               8.0              35.0             41.5      
PA        :       6.0               4.5              19.0             17.0      
SC        :       3.5               9.0              33.0             29.0      
SD        :       5.5                .0              39.5             58.0      
TX        :       4.5               3.5              21.0             19.5      
VA        :       2.5               2.0              11.5             13.0      
WA        :       7.5               5.0              40.5             41.5      
WI        :       2.5               5.5              26.0             21.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       4.7               4.5              22.4             20.6      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       4.5               3.5              18.5             24.0      
          :                                                                     
US        :       4.7               4.4              22.2             20.8      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, May-June 1996-97            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jun 1            :    31,963       33,414       105     
  Chicks Hatched During May              :    38,607       38,891       101     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru May            :   177,859      183,934       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Apr for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       291          268        92     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,951        2,870        97     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jun 1            :   573,432      596,376       104     
  Chicks Hatched During May              :   700,556      720,610       103     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru May            : 3,396,805    3,459,500       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Apr for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,776        7,056       104     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    55,356       56,626       102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Nov 1995 through Oct 1996.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Feb 1996 through Oct 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                                 June 1, 1996-97                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,614        5,826        126     
E North Central                          :    8,573        8,438         98     
W North Central                          :    6,132        6,311        103     
South Atlantic                           :    4,525        4,548        101     
South Central                            :    3,313        2,987         90     
West                                     :    4,806        5,304        110     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   31,963       33,414        105     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                   May 1996-97                                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              May               :             Jan-May             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,001        934       93        4,655       4,125       89    
FL           :   1,367      1,372      100        5,537       6,169      111    
GA           :   2,275      2,068       91       10,706      10,607       99    
IN           :   8,196      7,667       94       38,113      37,471       98    
IA           :   3,760      4,105      109       16,215      18,533      114    
KS           :     265        249       94        1,255       1,393      111    
MN           :   2,179      2,234      103       10,653      10,457       98    
MO           :     414        407       98        1,624       1,921      118    
PA           :   4,410      4,967      113       19,398      24,572      127    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  14,740     14,888      101       69,703      68,686       99    
             :                                                                  
US           :  38,607     38,891      101      177,859     183,934      103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
         Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1995-97             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1997  :          :         :        :  1997  
      :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:   1995   :  1996   :  1997  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 32,374   31,523   33,331    106     32,374     31,523   33,331    106   
Feb   : 32,743   34,627   35,318    102     65,117     66,150   68,649    104   
Mar   : 36,019   37,474   37,648    100    101,136    103,624  106,297    103   
Apr   : 35,078   35,628   38,746    109    136,214    139,252  145,043    104   
May   : 37,540   38,607   38,891    101    173,754    177,859  183,934    103   
Jun   : 34,996   34,076                    208,750    211,935                   
Jul   : 29,572   33,331                    238,322    245,266                   
Aug   : 31,442   32,393                    269,764    277,659                   
Sep   : 33,586   32,070                    303,350    309,729                   
Oct   : 33,383   33,065                    336,733    342,794                   
Nov   : 29,129   31,437                    365,862    374,231                   
Dec   : 30,639   33,017                    396,501    407,248                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1995-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   236      219     208       95      3,022       3,108       2,953   
Feb      :   251      238     219       92      3,009       3,089       2,984   
Mar      :   356      317     206       65      3,075       2,943       3,007   
Apr      :   317      252     316      125      3,106       2,920       2,946   
May      :   193      291     268       92      3,119       2,951       2,870   
Jun      :   234      282                       3,187       2,835       2,956   
Jul      :   235      266                       3,045       2,941       2,940   
Aug      :   163      186                       3,068       2,924       2,929   
Sep      :   292      231                       3,135       2,911       2,910   
Oct      :   309      233                       3,232       2,872       2,799   
Nov      :   124      210                       3,272       2,807       2,863   
Dec      :   231      215                       3,131       2,905       2,840   
         :                                                                      
Total    : 2,941    2,940                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For May 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Nov 1995 through Oct   
    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, June 1, 1996-97                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,769              12,251               104         
E North Central    :        8,776               7,346                84         
W North Central    :       22,461              22,704               101         
South Atlantic     :      222,505             232,384               104         
South Central      :      285,486             299,002               105         
West               :       22,435              22,689               101         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      573,432             596,376               104         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                         and United States, May 1996-97                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              May               :             Jan-May             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  89,627     94,894      106       436,860     453,954     104    
AR           : 105,263    108,182      103       525,229     530,607     101    
DE           :  16,169     16,820      104        80,552      81,102     101    
FL           :   9,936      9,268       93        50,799      47,803      94    
GA           : 104,220    107,889      104       510,461     521,200     102    
MD           :  31,598     31,733      100       154,738     153,265      99    
MS           :  59,292     65,266      110       280,471     309,647     110    
NC           :  64,300     63,423       99       315,664     304,989      97    
PA           :  12,283     13,258      108        56,807      63,146     111    
SC           :  15,266     15,615      102        75,958      76,057     100    
TX           :  42,912     44,925      105       205,913     213,830     104    
VA           :  23,280     24,700      106       116,927     118,153     101    
CA TN & WV   :  36,198     36,254      100       171,571     173,642     101    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 610,344    632,227      104     2,981,950   3,047,395     102    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   6,314      6,626      105        28,606      30,339     106    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  83,898     81,757       97       386,249     381,766      99    
             :                                                                  
US           : 700,556    720,610      103     3,396,805   3,459,500     102    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program.                
2/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Broiler Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1997  :        :         :         :  1997  
       :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:  1995  :  1996   :  1997   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :662,467  689,994  700,467    102    662,467   689,994   700,467   102   
Feb    :600,095  645,590  631,259     98  1,262,562 1,335,584 1,331,726   100   
Mar    :679,066  692,287  716,374    103  1,941,628 2,027,871 2,048,100   101   
Apr    :664,121  668,378  690,790    103  2,605,749 2,696,249 2,738,890   102   
May    :691,935  700,556  720,610    103  3,297,684 3,396,805 3,459,500   102   
Jun    :670,815  672,168                  3,968,499 4,068,973                   
Jul    :673,666  679,766                  4,642,165 4,748,739                   
Aug    :674,054  690,838                  5,316,219 5,439,577                   
Sep    :638,882  658,976                  5,955,101 6,098,553                   
Oct    :655,036  652,232                  6,610,137 6,750,785                   
Nov    :629,208  631,142                  7,239,345 7,381,927                   
Dec    :693,007  695,011                  7,932,352 8,076,938                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1995-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,710    5,487   6,393     117     53,071      54,562      56,074   
Feb      :  5,484    5,916   5,913     100     53,563      54,522      56,090   
Mar      :  6,161    6,093   6,439     106     53,808      55,178      55,944   
Apr      :  6,320    6,746   6,122      91     54,576      55,053      55,892   
May      :  6,135    6,776   7,056     104     54,930      55,356      56,626   
Jun      :  6,178    6,169                     55,297      56,528      57,218   
Jul      :  6,302    6,029                     55,376      56,585      57,072   
Aug      :  6,475    6,510                     54,965      55,752      56,719   
Sep      :  6,288    6,166                     54,183      55,533      55,856   
Oct      :  6,013    6,221                     54,433      55,448      56,126   
Nov      :  6,656    6,508                     54,649      55,892      56,219   
Dec      :  6,218    5,947                     54,720      56,193      56,765   
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,940   74,568                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,040    6,693   7,665     115                                      
Feb      :  7,180    7,167   7,252     101                                      
Mar      :  7,577    7,501   8,030     107                                      
Apr      :  7,835    7,903   7,453      94                                      
May      :  7,873    8,234   8,660     105                                      
Jun      :  7,485    7,467                                                      
Jul      :  7,730    7,572                                                      
Aug      :  7,850    8,120                                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771                                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892                                                      
Nov      :  7,784    7,860                                                      
Dec      :  7,750    7,709                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 91,135   91,889                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For May 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Feb 1996 through Oct   
    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 July 22,
1997.                                                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's   
TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).                                  
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C.,
20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an equal
employment opportunity employer.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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