HDR1012000150020224971500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released February 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.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the       
Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:                    
NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.  The "Chickens and Eggs" U.S. Summary is available on       
Autofax, (202) 720-2000, report 4200.  See page 20.                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                January Egg Production up 2 percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.55 billion during January 1997, up 2 percent      
from the 6.40 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.57 billion       
table eggs and 982 million hatching eggs, of which 920 million were broiler     
-type and 62.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during        
January 1997 averaged 303 million, up 1 percent from the average number of      
layers during January 1996.  January egg production per 100 layers was          
2,162 eggs, compared with 2,141 in January 1996.                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (2-97)                                                                  
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on February 1, 1997, totaled 302 million, up 1 percent   
from a year ago.  The 302 million layers consisted of 248 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 50.8 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.68 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on February 1, 1997, averaged 68.9 eggs     
per 100 layers, up 1 percent from the 68.1 a year ago.                          
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.21 billion eggs  
during January, up 3 percent from January 1996.  The average number of layers   
during January, at 287 million, was up 2 percent from the year earlier.         
                                                                                
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing         
States.  These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for      
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the  
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the  
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State   
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg     
Production" report.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 6 Percent                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during January totaled 33.3 million, up 6 percent from  
January 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 31.8 million on February 1, 1997, up  
1 percent from a year ago.                                                      
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 205,000 during January 1997, up 20 percent   
from the 171,000 of January 1996.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 2 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The January 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 700 million, was up 2         
percent  from January of the previous year. There were 576 million eggs in      
incubators on February 1, 1997, up 2 percent from a year earlier.               
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 5.92 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during January 1997, up 7 percent from          
January 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           303,022     
Feb      :     290,047          297,293           298,357                       
Mar      :     290,719          296,561           298,209                       
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605                       
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458                       
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      6,552      5,420      5,570         978         982   
Feb        :   5,954                 5,036                    918               
Mar        :   6,495                 5,505                    990               
Apr        :   6,243                 5,284                    959               
May        :   6,340                 5,341                    999               
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     13,230     64,572     11,265      11,576       1,965   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, December-January 1995-97            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :  1995 1/   :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Dec                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,861      303,669        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,806      250,554        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,055       53,115        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,519       50,509        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,536        2,606        103     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Dec  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,183        2,199        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,257        2,273        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,838        1,851        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,819        1,827        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,208        2,302        104     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Dec       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,523        6,678        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,548        5,695        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      975          983        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      919          923        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       56           60        107     
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                                         :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jan 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  299,261      304,040        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  246,166      250,442        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,095       53,598        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,538       50,935        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,557        2,663        104     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jan 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.9         70.5        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.2         72.9        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.3         59.5        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.4         58.6        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.5         75.5        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Jan 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.7          3.8        103     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.3         22.3         92     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, January-February 1996-97            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :  1997 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jan                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,814      303,022        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,523      249,461        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,291       53,561        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,698       50,882        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,593        2,679        103     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jan  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,141        2,162        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,208        2,233        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,835        1,833        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,813        1,808        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,275        2,314        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jan       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,398        6,552        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,420        5,570        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      978          982        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      919          920        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           62        105     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Feb 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,320      301,944        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  244,854      248,450        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,466       53,494        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,847       50,810        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,619        2,684        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Feb 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     68.1         68.9        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     70.1         71.0        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.0         59.2        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.2         58.3        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.6         76.1        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Feb 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.4          5.0         93     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.3         21.6         97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
        and Forced Molt, 30 Selected States, December-January 1995-97 1/        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :  1995 2/   :  1996 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Dec                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,680      287,727        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,162      238,122        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,518       49,605        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,070       47,109        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,448        2,496        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Dec  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,182        2,199        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,256        2,272        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,834        1,851        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,814        1,826        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,206        2,324        105     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Dec       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,167        6,327        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,259        5,409        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      908          918        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      854          860        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       54           58        107     
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                                         :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jan 1                          :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,981      288,256        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,394      238,250        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,587       50,006        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,114       47,462        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,473        2,544        103     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jan 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.9         70.5        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.2         72.8        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.3         59.5        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.4         58.6        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.5         76.1        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Jan 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.7          3.8        103     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.4         22.4         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Dec           (1,000) :   14,363       12,693         88     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
  Composted or Disappeared For Any       :                                      
  Reason During Dec              (1,000) :    2,489        2,951        119     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Jan 1                   (1,000) :   72,071       70,416         98     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Dec 4/      (1,000) :   18,557       17,696         95     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Revised.                                                                    
4/  1995 pullets added less than 20 weeks old.  1996 is pullet chicks one day   
    old added to pullet flocks.                                                 
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, 30 Selected States, January-February, 1996-97 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jan                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,679      287,092        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,897      237,094        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,782       49,998        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,273       47,431        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,509        2,567        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jan  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,142        2,162        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,207        2,232        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,838        1,832        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,813        1,805        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,312        2,337        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jan       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,055        6,207        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,140        5,291        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      915          916        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      857          856        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       58           60        103     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Feb 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,343      285,884        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,385      235,919        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,958       49,965        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,423       47,385        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,535        2,580        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Feb 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     68.1         68.9        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     70.1         71.0        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.0         59.1        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.1         58.2        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.8         76.2        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Feb 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.4          5.0         93     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.4         21.6         96     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Jan           (1,000) :   15,686       13,643         87     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 Composted Or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During Jan                      (1,000) :    2,568        3,562        139     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Feb 1                   (1,000) :   71,279       70,694         99     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Jan 3/      (1,000) :   19,825       17,525         88     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
3/  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 December 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         :    4,473       4,214     11,252    10,739     1,964       2,002    
AR         :    5,550       4,763     15,839    14,597     1,900       1,952    
CA         :   25,113      25,828     25,670    26,421     2,236       2,271    
CO         :    2,599       2,777      3,185     3,367     2,166       2,138    
CT         :    3,366       3,386      3,518     3,526     2,274       2,297    
FL         :    8,929       8,326      9,612     9,044     2,216       2,200    
GA         :   10,874      11,177     18,844    19,370     2,091       2,096    
HI         :      734         709        782       734     2,009       2,117    
IL         :    3,048       3,115      3,248     3,292     2,278       2,369    
IN         :   20,264      19,781     21,329    20,607     2,246       2,295    
IA         :   17,624      19,723     18,494    20,656     2,174       2,203    
ME         :    4,789       5,074      4,882     5,176     2,438       2,415    
MD         :    3,101       2,963      3,552     3,436     2,280       2,299    
MI         :    5,105       4,774      5,375     5,016     2,142       2,288    
MN         :   10,623      11,088     11,453    11,893     2,226       2,144    
MS         :    2,331       2,135      6,257     6,731     2,030       1,917    
MO         :    5,805       5,433      6,951     6,573     2,144       2,236    
NE         :    9,025       9,211      9,175     9,361     2,148       2,288    
NY         :    3,710       3,253      4,019     3,479     2,364       2,357    
NC         :    6,105       5,407     13,772    12,715     1,939       1,958    
OH         :   22,339      25,782     22,826    26,294     2,335       2,309    
OK         :    1,965       1,735      3,900     3,723     2,051       2,015    
OR         :    2,367       2,541      2,539     2,726     2,363       2,238    
PA         :   20,075      20,210     21,415    21,451     2,344       2,340    
SC         :    3,683       3,881      4,678     4,888     2,266       2,209    
SD         :    1,568       1,820      1,778     2,025     2,285       2,244    
TX         :   12,916      13,353     16,018    16,825     2,160       2,169    
VA         :    1,725       2,352      3,819     4,083     2,016       2,033    
WA         :    5,017       4,844      5,236     5,230     2,273       2,333    
WI         :    2,752       3,124      3,262     3,749     2,299       2,241    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  227,575     232,779    282,680   287,727     2,182       2,199    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,321      11,343     16,181    15,942     2,200       2,202    
           :                                                                    
US         :  238,896     244,122    298,861   303,669     2,183       2,199    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 January 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         :    4,320       4,056     11,121    10,674     1,897       1,949    
AR         :    5,469       4,707     15,749    14,740     1,892       1,872    
CA         :   25,233      25,666     25,791    26,270     2,144       2,242    
CO         :    2,696       2,735      3,276     3,292     2,167       2,126    
CT         :    3,400       3,324      3,549     3,469     2,226       2,248    
FL         :    8,502       8,212      9,194     8,949     2,175       2,168    
GA         :   10,716      11,298     18,736    19,466     2,039       2,055    
HI         :      738         712        785       737     2,012       2,037    
IL         :    3,099       3,189      3,301     3,346     2,242       2,331    
IN         :   20,614      19,956     21,667    20,824     2,183       2,267    
IA         :   17,547      19,558     18,403    20,515     2,222       2,125    
ME         :    4,862       5,018      4,974     5,110     2,413       2,427    
MD         :    3,106       3,000      3,607     3,486     2,162       2,180    
MI         :    5,013       4,777      5,281     5,021     2,114       2,204    
MN         :   10,770      11,163     11,573    11,939     2,203       2,136    
MS         :    2,306       2,130      6,240     6,759     1,987       1,938    
MO         :    5,640       5,292      6,770     6,485     2,127       2,159    
NE         :    8,989       9,205      9,139     9,355     2,139       2,303    
NY         :    3,677       3,239      3,974     3,423     2,365       2,337    
NC         :    6,054       5,351     13,824    12,814     1,902       1,920    
OH         :   22,764      25,359     23,196    25,888     2,319       2,298    
OK         :    2,000       1,703      3,900     3,716     2,077       1,991    
OR         :    2,522       2,576      2,699     2,756     2,186       2,177    
PA         :   20,020      20,275     21,378    21,533     2,273       2,336    
SC         :    3,695       3,922      4,703     4,913     2,148       2,056    
SD         :    1,570       1,798      1,745     2,028     2,275       2,201    
TX         :   12,735      13,279     15,890    16,801     2,096       2,107    
VA         :    1,660       2,530      3,802     4,001     2,025       2,000    
WA         :    4,955       4,752      5,186     5,128     2,275       2,301    
WI         :    2,726       3,048      3,226     3,654     2,232       2,299    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  227,398     231,830    282,679   287,092     2,142       2,162    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,316      11,284     16,135    15,930     2,126       2,166    
           :                                                                    
US         :  238,714     243,114    298,814   303,022     2,141       2,162    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 1995 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,              
                               December 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    221        215         99         99       122       116    
AR             :    301        285        119        101       182       184    
CA             :    574        600                                              
CO             :     69         72                                              
CT             :     80         81                                              
FL             :    213        199        201        185        12        14    
GA             :    394        406        242        251       152       155    
HI             :     16         16         16         16         0         0    
IL             :     74         78         73         77         1         1    
IN             :    479        473        470        464         9         9    
IA             :    402        455                                              
ME             :    119        125                                              
MD             :     81         79         73         71         8         8    
MI             :    115        115                                              
MN             :    255        255        246        245         9        10    
MS             :    127        129         55         45        72        84    
MO             :    149        147                                              
NE             :    197        214        197        214         0         0    
NY             :     95         82                                              
NC             :    267        249        138        125       129       124    
OH             :    533        607                                              
OK             :     80         75         49         43        31        32    
OR             :     60         61         59         59         1         2    
PA             :    502        502        485        487        17        15    
SC             :    106        108         87         90        19        18    
SD             :     41         45         41         45         0         0    
TX             :    346        365                                              
VA             :     77         83         40         50        37        33    
WA             :    119        122                                              
WI             :     75         84                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,167      6,327      5,259      5,409       908       918    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    356        351        289        286        67        65    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,523      6,678      5,548      5,695       975       983    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                               January 1996-97 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    211        208         90         91       121       117    
AR             :    298        276        115         96       183       180    
CA             :    553        589                                              
CO             :     71         70                                              
CT             :     79         78                                              
FL             :    200        194        188        179        12        15    
GA             :    382        400        229        245       153       155    
HI             :     16         15         16         15         0         0    
IL             :     74         78         73         77         1         1    
IN             :    473        472        464        462         9        10    
IA             :    409        436                                              
ME             :    120        124                                              
MD             :     78         76         70         68         8         8    
MI             :    111        110                                              
MN             :    255        255        245        245        10        10    
MS             :    124        131         52         45        72        86    
MO             :    144        140                                              
NE             :    195        215        195        215         0         0    
NY             :     94         80                                              
NC             :    263        246        131        120       132       126    
OH             :    538        595                                              
OK             :     81         74         50         42        31        32    
OR             :     59         60         58         58         1         2    
PA             :    486        503        468        487        18        16    
SC             :    101        101         82         84        19        17    
SD             :     40         45         40         45         0         0    
TX             :    333        354                                              
VA             :     77         80         40         52        37        28    
WA             :    118        118                                              
WI             :     72         84                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,055      6,207      5,140      5,291       915       916    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    343        345        280        279        63        66    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,398      6,552      5,420      5,570       978       982    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 1955 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               5.0              22.3              21.6       
Mar     :       3.5                                23.3                         
Apr     :       1.9                                22.9                         
May     :       5.4                                22.2                         
Jun     :       4.7                                22.2                         
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, February 1996-97 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       5.5               7.5              10.5             10.0      
AR        :       1.5               3.0              10.0              8.5      
CA        :      12.0               8.5              44.0             38.0      
CO        :       6.0               2.0              25.5             29.0      
CT        :       3.5               2.5              11.5             11.5      
FL        :       4.5               4.5              36.5             36.5      
GA        :       5.0               6.0              20.5             21.5      
HI        :       9.5               6.5              53.0             53.5      
IL        :       7.5               2.5              42.5             11.0      
IN        :       3.5               4.5              21.5             19.5      
IA        :       6.0               8.0              24.0             31.5      
ME        :        .0                .5                .5              3.5      
MD        :       6.0              13.0              30.0             20.0      
MI        :       4.5               3.5              23.5             13.5      
MN        :       2.0               3.0              36.0             31.5      
MS        :       5.0               5.0              11.0             12.0      
MO        :       8.5               3.5              23.5             17.5      
NE        :      13.5               4.5              28.0             27.0      
NY        :       3.0               1.0               4.0              4.5      
NC        :       4.0               3.0              11.0             11.0      
OH        :       1.5               3.5              15.0             12.0      
OK        :       3.5               1.5               9.0             13.0      
OR        :       9.5               9.5              33.5             41.0      
PA        :       7.0               3.5              17.0             20.0      
SC        :       5.5              11.5              30.0             19.5      
SD        :        .0               1.5              24.0             53.5      
TX        :       5.5               5.5              19.5             21.5      
VA        :       5.5               3.5              14.0             11.5      
WA        :       5.5               6.0              44.0             43.5      
WI        :       8.5               4.0              25.5             26.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       5.4               5.0              22.4             21.6      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       4.7               4.7              20.9             21.6      
          :                                                                     
US        :       5.4               5.0              22.3             21.6      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, January-February 1997-97        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :  ------- 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Feb 1            :   31,514       31,801        101     
  Chicks Hatched During Jan              :   31,547       33,331        106     
  Pullets Hatched During Jan for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :      171          205        120     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :    3,108        2,905         93     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Feb 1            :  566,333      575,711        102     
  Chicks Hatched During Jan              :  686,359      700,467        102     
  Pullets Hatched During Jan for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :    5,538        5,917        107     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :   54,562       56,103        103     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Jul 1995 through Jun 1996.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Oct 1995 through Jun 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               February 1, 1996-97                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,459        5,819        131     
E North Central                          :    8,057        8,984        112     
W North Central                          :    5,821        5,627         97     
South Atlantic                           :    5,251        4,511         86     
South Central                            :    4,289        3,500         82     
West                                     :    3,637        3,360         92     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   31,514       31,801        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,             
                                 January 1996-97                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            January             :             Jan-Jan             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent     ----- 1,000 -----     Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     831        603       73          831        603        73    
FL           :   1,043      1,078      103        1,043      1,078       103    
GA           :   2,130      2,099       99        2,130      2,099        99    
IN           :   7,280      7,205       99        7,280      7,205        99    
IA           :   2,093      3,499      167        2,093      3,499       167    
KS           :     340        375      110          340        375       110    
MN           :   1,915      2,173      113        1,915      2,173       113    
MO           :      47        351      747           47        351       747    
PA           :   3,260      4,235      130        3,260      4,235       130    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  12,608     11,713       93       12,608     11,713        93    
             :                                                                  
US           :  31,547     33,331      106       31,547     33,331       106    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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   : 32,375   31,547   33,331    106     32,375     31,547   33,331    106   
Feb   : 32,745   34,652                     65,120     66,199                   
Mar   : 36,021   37,687                    101,141    103,886                   
Apr   : 35,020   35,553                    136,161    139,439                   
May   : 37,482   38,477                    173,643    177,916                   
Jun   : 34,948   33,998                    208,591    211,914                   
Jul   : 29,554   33,828                    238,145    245,742                   
Aug   : 31,434   32,474                    269,579    278,216                   
Sep   : 33,578   31,956                    303,157    310,172                   
Oct   : 33,384   33,176                    336,541    343,348                   
Nov   : 29,130   31,495                    365,671    374,843                   
Dec   : 30,797   33,161                    396,468    408,004                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
        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      171     205      120      3,022       3,108       2,905   
Feb      :   251      238                       3,009       3,089       2,929   
Mar      :   356      317                       3,075       2,943       2,938   
Apr      :   317      252                       3,106       2,920       2,877   
May      :   193      291                       3,119       2,951       2,801   
Jun      :   234      282                       3,187       2,835       2,968   
Jul      :   235      259                       3,045       2,941       2,952   
Aug      :   163      172                       3,068       2,876       2,986   
Sep      :   292      231                       3,135       2,863               
Oct      :   309      233                       3,232       2,824               
Nov      :   124      291                       3,272       2,759               
Dec      :   231      215                       3,131       2,857               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 2,941    2,952                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 January 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jul 1995 through   
    Jun 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, February 1, 1996-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,833              11,933               101         
E North Central    :        7,373               7,178                97         
W North Central    :       18,684              21,892               117         
South Atlantic     :      228,223             222,548                98         
South Central      :      280,406             290,040               103         
West               :       19,814              22,120               112         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      566,333             575,711               102         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, January 1996-97                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            January             :             Jan-Jan             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  87,849     92,020      105       87,849      92,020      105    
AR           : 108,829    108,349      100      108,829     108,349      100    
DE           :  16,585     16,072       97       16,585      16,072       97    
FL           :  10,612      9,932       94       10,612       9,932       94    
GA           : 104,724    106,275      101      104,724     106,275      101    
MD           :  31,639     31,866      101       31,639      31,866      101    
MS           :  56,472     61,954      110       56,472      61,954      110    
NC           :  64,835     61,002       94       64,835      61,002       94    
PA           :  11,286     12,770      113       11,286      12,770      113    
SC           :  15,645     15,850      101       15,645      15,850      101    
TX           :  42,317     44,146      104       42,317      44,146      104    
VA           :  23,864     23,807      100       23,864      23,807      100    
CA TN & WV   :  34,482     35,248      102       34,482      35,248      102    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 609,139    619,291      102      609,139     619,291      102    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,779      6,296      109        5,779       6,296      109    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  71,441     74,880      105       71,441      74,880      105    
             :                                                                  
US           : 686,359    700,467      102      686,359     700,467      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    :662,476  686,359  700,467    102    662,476   686,359  700,467    102   
Feb    :600,116  646,085                  1,262,592 1,332,444                   
Mar    :679,090  689,719                  1,941,682 2,022,163                   
Apr    :664,150  665,443                  2,605,832 2,687,606                   
May    :692,004  698,176                  3,297,836 3,385,782                   
Jun    :670,839  670,593                  3,968,675 4,056,375                   
Jul    :673,687  677,611                  4,642,362 4,733,986                   
Aug    :674,068  688,591                  5,316,430 5,422,577                   
Sep    :638,901  656,696                  5,955,331 6,079,273                   
Oct    :654,221  651,791                  6,609,552 6,731,064                   
Nov    :627,767  631,292                  7,237,319 7,362,356                   
Dec    :691,193  694,811                  7,928,512 8,057,167                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          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    5,538   5,917     107     53,071      54,562      56,103   
Feb      :  5,484    5,916                     53,563      54,522      56,512   
Mar      :  6,161    6,374                     53,808      55,178      56,374   
Apr      :  6,320    6,442                     54,576      55,053      56,322   
May      :  6,135    6,776                     54,930      55,356      57,004   
Jun      :  6,178    6,169                     55,297      56,528      57,596   
Jul      :  6,302    6,422                     55,376      56,585      57,169   
Aug      :  6,475    6,518                     54,965      55,803      56,644   
Sep      :  6,288    6,166                     54,183      55,584               
Oct      :  6,013    6,221                     54,433      55,781               
Nov      :  6,656    6,508                     54,649      55,921               
Dec      :  6,218    5,947                     54,720      56,222               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,940   74,997                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,040    6,782   7,234     107                                      
Feb      :  7,180    7,167                                                      
Mar      :  7,577    7,645                                                      
Apr      :  7,835    7,664                                                      
May      :  7,873    8,234                                                      
Jun      :  7,485    7,467                                                      
Jul      :  7,730    7,923                                                      
Aug      :  7,850    8,128                                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771                                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892                                                      
Nov      :  7,784    7,860                                                      
Dec      :  7,750    7,709                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 91,135   92,242                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Jan 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Oct 1995 through Jun   
    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         
March 21, 1997.                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
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