Chickens
and Eggs
 
National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
 
Released March 22, 1999, 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. For information on Hatch call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-870,
office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
 
 
 
               February Egg Production Up 3 Percent
 
U.S. egg production totaled 6.29 billion during February 1999, up 3
percent from the 6.11 billion produced in 1998. Production included 5.30
billion table eggs and 987 million hatching eggs, of which 927 million
were broiler-type and 60.0 million were egg-type. The total number of
layers during February 1999 averaged 323 million, up 3 percent from the
total average number of layers during February 1998. February egg
production per 100 layers was 1,947 eggs, down fractionally from 1,950
eggs in February 1998.
 
 
 
 
All layers in the U.S. on March 1, 1999, totaled 324 million, up 3
percent from a year ago. The 324 million layers consisted of 264 million
layers producing table or commercial type eggs, 56.6 million layers
producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.86 million layers producing
egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 1999, averaged
69.7 eggs per 100 layers, up fractionally from the 69.6 a year ago.
 
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg producing States produced 5.95 billion
eggs during February, up 3 percent from February 1998. The average
number of layers during February, at 305 million, was up 3 percent from
a 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 3 Percent
 
Egg-type chicks hatched during February totaled 35.6 million, up 3
percent from February 1998. Eggs in incubators totaled 35.3 million on
March 1, 1999, up 2 percent from a year ago.
 
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply
flocks by leading breeders totaled 267,000 during February 1999, up 12
percent from February 1998.
 
 
                   Broiler Hatch Up 3 Percent
 
The February 1999 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 662 million, was up 3
percent from February of the previous year. There were 624 million eggs
in incubators on March 1,1999, up 3 percent from a year earlier.
 
Leading breeders placed 6.88 million broiler-type pullet chicks for
future domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 1999, up 10
percent from February 1998.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              All Layers:  Average Number on Hand During the Month,
                             United States, 1996-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1996       :      1997      :      1998       :      1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers
         :
Dec 1/   :     299,345          304,463           311,888           321,193
Jan      :     299,230          304,289           311,876           322,136
Feb      :     298,904          304,000           313,245           322,933
Mar      :     298,853          304,285           314,101
Apr      :     297,493          303,618           311,917
May      :     295,516          302,241           309,615
Jun      :     294,837          300,537           309,166
Jul      :     296,290          299,605           308,927
Aug      :     297,804          300,211           309,251
Sep      :     298,582          303,661           311,278
Oct      :     300,052          306,807           314,847
Nov      :     302,386          309,670           318,797
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.
 
 
 
 
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,
                             United States, 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1998   :   1999   :   1998   :   1999    :   1998    :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs
           :
Dec 1/     :   6,841      7,029      5,802      5,957       1,039       1,072
Jan        :   6,766      6,971      5,720      5,890       1,046       1,081
Feb        :   6,109      6,287      5,150      5,300         959         987
Mar        :   6,869                 5,797                  1,072
Apr        :   6,603                 5,556                  1,047
May        :   6,665                 5,584                  1,081
Jun        :   6,456                 5,433                  1,023
Jul        :   6,720                 5,674                  1,046
Aug        :   6,694                 5,655                  1,039
Sep        :   6,480                 5,480                  1,000
Oct        :   6,791                 5,746                  1,045
Nov        :   6,723                 5,695                  1,028
During Year:  79,717     20,287     67,292     17,147      12,425       3,140
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,
           and Forced Molt, United States, January-February 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   :   1998   :   1999   : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Jan                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          :311,876    322,136       103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :254,945    263,191       103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          : 56,931     58,945       104
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          : 54,387     56,210       103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :  2,544      2,735       108
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jan      :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :  2,169      2,164       100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  2,244      2,238       100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  1,837      1,834       100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  1,813      1,806       100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :  2,358      2,413       102
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Jan            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :  6,766      6,971       103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  5,720      5,890       103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  1,046      1,081       103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    986      1,015       103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     60         66       110
                                    :          :
Layers on Feb 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          :312,111    322,100       103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :254,724    263,078       103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          : 57,387     59,022       103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          : 54,794     56,266       103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :  2,593      2,756       106
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Feb 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :     69.4       69.2     100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     71.7       71.4     100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     59.1       59.3     100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     58.2       58.4     100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     76.8       76.3      99
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers on Feb 1         :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      5.2        4.9      94
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     21.0       22.1     105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,
             and Forced Molt, United States, February-March 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   : 1998 1/  : 1999 2/  : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Feb                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 313,245    322,933      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 255,841    263,677      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  57,404     59,256      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  54,760     56,442      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,644      2,814      106
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb      :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :   1,950      1,947      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,013      2,010      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,671      1,666      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,647      1,642      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,156      2,132       99
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Feb            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :   6,109      6,287      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,150      5,300      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     959        987      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     902        927      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      57         60      105
                                    :          :
Layers on Mar 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 314,322    323,716      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 256,928    264,248      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  57,394     59,468      104
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  54,711     56,604      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,683      2,864      107
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :    69.6       69.7      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    71.8       71.9      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    59.6       59.5      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    58.7       58.7      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    78.3       75.1       96
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers, Mar 1           :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :     4.4        3.3       75
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :    21.2       21.8      103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.
2/  Preliminary.
 
 
 
 
     Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced
            Molt, January-February, 30 Selected States, 1998-99 1/ 2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   :   1998   :   1999   : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Jan                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 294,785    304,563      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 242,073    249,997      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  52,712     54,566      104
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,265     51,953      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,447      2,613      107
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jan      :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :   2,172      2,163      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,245      2,235      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,838      1,834      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,812      1,805      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,370      2,411      102
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Jan            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :   6,404      6,589      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,435      5,588      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     969      1,001      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     911        938      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      58         63      109
                                    :          :
Layers on Feb 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 294,956    304,528      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 241,833    249,857      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,123     54,671      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,627     52,037      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,496      2,634      106
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Feb 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :    69.6       69.3      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    71.9       71.5       99
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    59.2       59.4      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    58.3       58.6      101
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    76.6       76.3      100
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers on Feb 1         :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :     5.2        4.8       92
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :    21.1       22.1      105
                                    :          :
Layers Sold for Slaughter During Jan:  1,000   :  14,971     15,385      103
                                    :          :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :
 Reason During Jan                  :  1,000   :   3,265      3,462      106
                                    :          :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :
 of Age, Feb 1                      :  1,000   :  81,006     88,308      109
                                    :          :
Pullets Added During Jan  3/        :  1,000   :  19,165     19,556      102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.
2/  Revised.
3/  Pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.
 
 
 
 
     Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced
              Molt, 30 Selected States, February-March, 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1999
                Item                :   Unit   : 1998 2/  : 1999 3/  : as % of
                                    :          :          :          :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :
Layers During Feb                   :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 295,978    305,306      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 242,853    250,492      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,125     54,814      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,587     52,120      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,538      2,694      106
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb      :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          :   1,954      1,948      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,016      2,009      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,673      1,671      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,649      1,648      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,167      2,116       98
                                    :          :
Eggs Produced During Feb            :  Million :
  All Layers                        :          :   5,784      5,948      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   4,895      5,032      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     889        916      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     834        859      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      55         57      104
                                    :          :
Layers on Mar 1                     :  1,000   :
  All Layers                        :          : 296,954    306,045      103
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 243,849    251,106      103
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  53,105     54,939      103
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  50,536     52,192      103
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,569      2,747      107
                                    :          :
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1        :  Number  :
  All Layers                        :          :    69.7       69.7      100
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    71.9       71.8      100
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    59.7       59.7      100
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    58.8       58.9      100
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    78.0       75.4       97
                                    :          :
Forced Molt Layers, Mar 1           :  Percent :
  Percent Being Molted              :          :     4.4        3.3       75
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :    21.2       21.5      101
                                    :          :
Layers Sold for Slaughter During Feb:  1,000   :  13,855     14,535      105
                                    :          :
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :
 Reason During Feb                  :  1,000   :   2,892      3,080      106
                                    :          :
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :
 of Age, Mar 1                      :  1,000   :  83,462     89,359      107
                                    :          :
Pullets Added During Feb 4/         :  1,000   :  21,464     20,853       97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.
2/  Revised.
3/  Preliminary.
4/  Pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.
 
 
 
 
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State
                  and United States, During January 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1998    :    1999    :  1998  :  1999   :   1998    :    1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----
           :
AL         :    4,026       4,122     10,680    11,067     2,004       1,943
AR         :    4,520       4,556     15,003    15,048     1,833       1,901
CA         :   24,808      25,834     25,465    26,606     2,219       2,180
CO         :    3,023       2,937      3,597     3,478     2,252       2,128
CT         :    3,275       2,937      3,450     3,120     2,203       2,276
FL         :    9,765       9,877     10,410    10,622     2,219       2,297
GA         :   11,351      12,028     20,548    21,540     2,112       2,080
HI         :      647         587        673       614     2,080       2,068
IL         :    2,976       2,644      3,263     2,891     2,237       2,179
IN         :   21,140      21,154     21,822    21,859     2,250       2,246
IA         :   21,202      24,183     22,058    25,104     2,226       2,175
ME         :    4,732       4,947      4,833     5,064     2,462       2,468
MD         :    2,848       3,160      3,334     3,611     2,130       2,354
MI         :    4,794       5,490      5,058     5,770     2,197       2,203
MN         :   11,305      11,448     12,010    12,168     2,190       2,153
MS         :    1,821       1,738      6,882     6,809     1,918       1,997
MO         :    5,585       5,152      6,947     6,576     2,174       2,205
NE         :   10,183      10,612     10,333    10,762     2,226       2,146
NY         :    3,169       3,370      3,369     3,616     2,404       2,406
NC         :    4,095       3,667     11,456    11,471     1,894       1,944
OH         :   26,866      29,700     27,483    30,410     2,281       2,243
OK         :    2,168       2,014      4,056     3,974     1,948       1,963
OR         :    2,840       2,883      3,028     3,039     2,213       2,264
PA         :   21,096      21,294     22,415    22,701     2,306       2,335
SC         :    3,702       3,739      4,731     4,773     2,156       1,948
SD         :    2,093       1,928      2,288     2,169     2,316       2,305
TX         :   13,309      13,601     17,116    17,587     2,133       2,098
VA         :    1,571       1,488      3,583     3,592     1,954       1,893
WA         :    4,849       4,820      4,977     4,940     2,383       2,356
WI         :    3,308       3,090      3,917     3,582     2,170       2,289
           :
30 Sts     :  237,067     245,000    294,785   304,563     2,172       2,163
           :
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,727      12,134     17,091    17,573     2,118       2,174
           :
US         :  248,794     257,134    311,876   322,136     2,169       2,164
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 February 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1998    :    1999    :  1998  :  1999   :   1998    :    1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----
           :
AL         :    4,133       3,997     10,838    10,932     1,790       1,793
AR         :    4,585       4,732     15,199    15,275     1,678       1,709
CA         :   24,474      25,508     25,131    26,238     1,962       1,963
CO         :    3,106       2,999      3,678     3,536     1,958       1,867
CT         :    3,277       2,911      3,449     3,089     2,001       2,072
FL         :    9,382      10,018     10,017    10,748     1,987       2,103
GA         :   11,598      12,143     20,844    21,687     1,871       1,872
HI         :      611         600        638       629     1,887       1,876
IL         :    2,933       2,527      3,217     2,783     2,060       2,048
IN         :   21,324      21,364     22,059    22,095     2,004       2,010
IA         :   21,818      24,175     22,685    25,102     1,984       2,016
ME         :    4,683       4,827      4,797     4,948     2,230       2,223
MD         :    2,970       3,176      3,442     3,580     2,034       2,151
MI         :    4,825       5,613      5,098     5,898     2,010       1,952
MN         :   11,328      11,493     12,061    12,216     2,015       1,940
MS         :    1,771       1,853      6,922     6,991     1,748       1,831
MO         :    5,374       5,155      6,740     6,558     2,003       1,998
NE         :   10,234      10,694     10,384    10,844     2,013       1,964
NY         :    3,217       3,472      3,436     3,722     2,183       2,149
NC         :    3,978       3,634     11,297    11,440     1,717       1,766
OH         :   27,387      29,919     28,021    30,627     2,031       1,907
OK         :    2,141       1,987      3,979     3,990     1,709       1,754
OR         :    2,856       2,807      3,043     2,973     2,070       2,082
PA         :   20,893      21,376     22,238    22,790     2,082       2,089
SC         :    3,676       3,872      4,700     4,917     1,957       1,851
SD         :    2,038       1,928      2,233     2,168     2,156       2,076
TX         :   13,440      13,357     17,327    17,384     1,899       1,910
VA         :    1,622       1,531      3,620     3,691     1,796       1,761
WA         :    4,869       4,805      4,995     4,925     2,112       2,099
WI         :    3,282       3,026      3,890     3,530     1,954       2,096
           :
30 Sts     :  237,825     245,499    295,978   305,306     1,954       1,948
           :
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,846      12,127     17,267    17,627     1,882       1,923
           :
US         :  249,671     257,626    313,245   322,933     1,950       1,947
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1999 preliminary, 1998 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,
                               January 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1998   :   1999   :   1998   :   1999   :  1998   :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs
               :
AL             :   214        215         94         93         120       122
AR             :   275        286         93        100         182       186
CA             :   565        580
CO             :    81         74
CT             :    76         71
FL             :   231        244        219        230          12        14
GA             :   434        448        258        266         176       182
HI             :    14.0       12.7       14.0       12.7         0         0
IL             :    73         63         69         59           4         4
IN             :   491        491        480        479          11        12
IA             :   491        546
ME             :   119        125
MD             :    71         85         63         78           8         7
MI             :   111        127
MN             :   263        262        253        252          10        10
MS             :   132        136         40         42          92        94
MO             :   151        145
NE             :   230        231        230        231           0         0
NY             :    81         87
NC             :   217        223         88         88         129       135
OH             :   627        682
OK             :    79         78         49         46          30        32
OR             :    67         69         65         68           2         1
PA             :   517        530        502        513          15        17
SC             :   102         93         85         79          17        14
SD             :    53         50         53         50           0         0
TX             :   365        369
VA             :    70         68         36         32          34        36
WA             :   119        116
WI             :    85         82
               :
30 Sts         : 6,404      6,589      5,435      5,588         969     1,001
               :
Oth Sts 3/     :   362        382        285        302          77        80
               :
US             : 6,766      6,971      5,720      5,890       1,046     1,081
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
                               February 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1998   :   1999   :   1998   :   1999   :  1998   :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs
               :
AL             :   194        196         86         83        108       113
AR             :   255        261         86         93        169       168
CA             :   494        515
CO             :    72         66
CT             :    69         64
FL             :   199        226        188        213         11        13
GA             :   391        406        232        241        159       165
HI             :    12.0       11.8       12.0       11.8        0         0
IL             :    67         57         63         53          4         4
IN             :   443        444        432        433         11        11
IA             :   450        506
ME             :   107        110
MD             :    70         77         63         71          7         6
MI             :   102        115
MN             :   243        237        233        227         10        10
MS             :   121        128         36         41         85        87
MO             :   135        131
NE             :   209        213        209        213          0         0
NY             :    75         80
NC             :   194        202         78         78        116       124
OH             :   569        584
OK             :    68         70         42         41         26        29
OR             :    64         62         62         61          2         1
PA             :   463        476        449        460         14        16
SC             :    94         91         78         76         16        15
SD             :    48         45         48         45          0         0
TX             :   329        332
VA             :    65         65         33         32         32        33
WA             :   106        103
WI             :    76         74
               :
30 Sts         : 5,784      5,948      4,895      5,032        889       916
               :
Oth Sts 3/     :   325        339        255        268         70        71
               :
US             : 6,109      6,287      5,150      5,300        959       987
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1999 preliminary, 1998 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, 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1998       :      1999       :      1998       :      1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent
        :
Jan     :       4.1               4.1              21.8              22.5
Feb     :       5.2               4.9              21.0              22.1
Mar     :       4.4               3.3              21.2              21.8
Apr     :       2.2                                22.1
May     :       5.5                                20.0
Jun     :       4.8                                21.4
Jul     :       3.9                                21.6
Aug     :       3.9                                21.7
Sep     :       4.1                                21.9
Oct     :       4.9                                21.9
Nov     :       3.7                                21.8
Dec     :       2.7                                23.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.
 
 
 
 
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State
                       and United States, March 1998-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1998       :      1999       :      1998      :      1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent
          :
AL        :        2.0               1.5              9.5             13.0
AR        :        4.5               1.5              9.5              9.5
CA        :       10.0               7.5             35.5             36.5
CO        :        3.5               1.5             15.5             34.5
CT        :        4.5               0.0             15.0             10.0
FL        :        7.0               8.5             37.5             32.0
GA        :        4.0               3.0             18.0             20.0
HI        :        8.5              10.5             40.5             38.0
IL        :        0.5               8.5             18.5             17.5
IN        :        5.0               3.0             22.5             30.0
IA        :        5.5               3.0             29.5             28.5
ME        :        0.0               0.0              0.0              1.5
MD        :       12.0               2.0             44.0             36.5
MI        :        2.5               2.5             17.5             18.5
MN        :        4.0               3.0             33.5             35.5
MS        :        2.0               2.5              8.0              3.0
MO        :        2.5               3.0             23.0             20.0
NE        :        8.0               1.0             26.5             15.0
NY        :        1.0               1.0              3.0              5.5
NC        :        0.5               1.0             14.5              8.0
OH        :        3.0               2.0             10.0             16.0
OK        :        2.0               1.0             12.0              7.0
OR        :        1.0               3.0             44.5             41.5
PA        :        4.0               4.5             17.0             17.5
SC        :        4.5               1.0             33.5             19.0
SD        :        3.0               2.5             26.5             27.0
TX        :        4.0               5.5             23.0             17.0
VA        :        0.0               0.5              7.0              9.0
WA        :        4.0               8.5             30.5             46.0
WI        :        5.0               0.0             23.0             27.0
          :
30 Sts    :        4.4               3.3             21.2             21.5
          :
Oth Sts 2/:        3.7               3.6             20.8             27.5
          :
US        :        4.4               3.3             21.2             21.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, February-March 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1999
                   Item                  :    1998    :    1999    :  as % of
                                         :            :            :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent
                                         :
Egg-Type                                 :
  Eggs in Incubators on Mar 1            :    34,570       35,347       102
  Chicks Hatched During Feb              :    34,573       35,648       103
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Feb            :    71,807       71,301        99
  Pullets Hatched During Feb for Intended:
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       239          267       112
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,764        3,099       112
                                         :
Broiler-Type                             :
  Eggs in Incubators on Mar 1            :   608,037      623,749       103
  Chicks Hatched During Feb              :   644,504      661,739       103
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Feb            : 1,355,080    1,397,087       103
  Pullets Hatched During Feb for Intended:
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,263        6,882       110
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    57,494       59,808       104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1999 includes pullet chicks hatched Aug 1997 through Jul 1998.
2/  1999 includes pullet chicks hatched Nov 1997 through Jul 1998.
 
 
 
 
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,
                                March 1, 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1999
                Geographic               :    1998    :    1999    :  as % of
                 Division                :            :            :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent
                                         :
North Atlantic                           :    5,680        7,021        124
E North Central                          :    8,501        8,197         96
W North Central                          :    7,253        7,032         97
South Atlantic                           :    4,235        3,978         94
South Central                            :    3,718        3,939        106
West                                     :    5,183        5,180        100
                                         :
US                                       :   34,570       35,347        102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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,
                                February 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            February            :             Jan-Feb
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1999   :          :           :   1999
             :   1998   :   1999   : as % of  :   1998   :   1999    : as % of
             :          :          :   1998   :          :           :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent     ----- 1,000 -----     Percent
             :
AR           :   1,045        952       91        1,870      1,559        83
FL           :   1,097        986       90        2,274      2,277       100
GA           :   1,787      1,984      111        3,929      4,178       106
IN           :   6,094      6,268      103       13,561     13,327        98
IA           :   3,678      4,838      132        7,322      8,812       120
KS           :     193        426      221          323        721       223
MN           :   1,610      2,057      128        3,545      3,833       108
MO           :     387        321       83          756        631        83
PA           :   4,901      5,591      114       10,218     10,593       104
             :
Oth Sts  1/  :  13,781     12,225       89       28,009     25,370        91
             :
US           :  34,573     35,648      103       71,807     71,301        99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
 
 
 
 
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1997-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :             By Months             :            Cumulative
        :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month :        :        :        :  1999  :        :        :        :  1999
        :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :as % of :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :as % of
        :        :        :        :  1998  :        :        :        :  1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  --------- 1,000 ---------  Percent
        :
Jan     : 33,815   37,234   35,653     96     33,815   37,234   35,653     96
Feb     : 35,762   34,573   35,648    103     69,577   71,807   71,301     99
Mar     : 37,410   39,986                    106,987  111,793
Apr     : 38,873   39,926                    145,860  151,719
May     : 39,078   39,602                    184,938  191,321
Jun     : 36,861   39,206                    221,799  230,527
Jul     : 33,838   36,567                    255,637  267,094
Aug     : 33,125   33,514                    288,762  300,608
Sep     : 37,181   38,611                    325,943  339,219
Oct     : 35,328   35,039                    361,271  374,258
Nov     : 27,846   30,810                    389,117  405,068
Dec     : 35,890   35,430                    425,007  440,498
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1997-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1999  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/
         :--------------------------: 1998  :-----------------------------------
         :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :       :   1997    :   1998    :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------
         :
Jan      :   208      189     166       88      2,953       2,823       3,039
Feb      :   222      239     267      112      2,984       2,764       3,099
Mar      :   209      225                       3,007       2,863       3,004
Apr      :   316      338                       2,946       3,034       2,926
May      :   273      192                       2,870       3,067       3,020
Jun      :   254      360                       2,956       2,986       3,123
Jul      :   207      267                       2,940       2,978       3,091
Aug      :   285      190                       2,929       2,959       3,068
Sep      :   402      324                       2,913       2,976       3,096
Oct      :   266      360                       2,805       2,992
Nov      :   129      232                       2,869       3,014
Dec      :   207      175                       2,851       2,933
         :
Total    : 2,978    3,091
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 February 1999, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Aug 1997 through
    Jul 1998.  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, March 1, 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1999
     Geographic    :       1998        :       1999        :      as % of
      Division     :                   :                   :        1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent
                   :
North Atlantic     :       12,250              12,284               100
E North Central    :        8,963               7,302                81
W North Central    :       22,827              22,791               100
South Atlantic     :      230,190             239,001               104
South Central      :      311,216             317,469               102
West               :       22,591              24,902               110
                   :
US                 :      608,037             623,749               103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State
                       and United States, February 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            February            :             Jan-Feb
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1999   :          :           :   1999
             :   1998   :   1999   : as % of  :   1998   :   1999    : as % of
             :          :          :   1998   :          :           :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent
             :
AL           :  82,239     87,409      106       173,266     184,679     107
AR           :  95,896     97,638      102       202,789     205,835     102
DE           :  14,329     13,660       95        30,001      29,235      97
FL           :   8,902      8,738       98        18,446      18,634     101
GA           :  95,569    100,054      105       204,090     212,642     104
MD           :  27,576     27,908      101        58,713      58,964     100
MS           :  57,204     58,341      102       120,082     124,004     103
NC           :  54,133     56,808      105       114,181     119,270     104
PA           :  11,615     11,618      100        24,411      24,743     101
SC           :  13,227     14,233      108        28,001      30,656     109
TX           :  41,325     43,312      105        87,062      91,698     105
VA           :  21,063     21,611      103        44,517      45,399     102
CA TN & WV   :  34,072     34,873      102        71,748      74,238     103
             :
15 Sts 1/    : 557,150    576,203      103     1,177,307   1,219,997     104
             :
Oth Sts 2/   :  87,354     85,536       98       177,773     177,090     100
             :
US           : 644,504    661,739      103     1,355,080   1,397,087     103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 1997-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1999  :        :         :         :  1999
       :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :as % of:  1997  :  1998   :  1999   :as % of
       :        :        :        : 1998  :        :         :         :  1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent
       :
Jan    :700,021  710,576  735,348    103    700,021   710,576   735,348   103
Feb    :634,253  644,504  661,739    103  1,334,274 1,355,080 1,397,087   103
Mar    :718,899  731,998                  2,053,173 2,087,078
Apr    :693,746  709,360                  2,746,919 2,796,438
May    :724,735  739,952                  3,471,654 3,536,390
Jun    :704,129  718,983                  4,175,783 4,255,373
Jul    :710,699  723,352                  4,886,482 4,978,725
Aug    :708,637  713,211                  5,595,119 5,691,936
Sep    :684,204  692,859                  6,279,323 6,384,795
Oct    :683,113  692,913                  6,962,436 7,077,708
Nov    :648,088  673,907                  7,610,524 7,751,615
Dec    :711,972  733,797                  8,322,496 8,485,412
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1997-99 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1999  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/
         :--------------------------: 1998  :-----------------------------------
         :  1997  :  1998  :  1999  :       :   1997    :   1998    :   1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------
         :
US       :
 Place-  :
 ments   :
Jan      :  6,397    6,794   7,059     104     56,101      56,552      59,331
Feb      :  5,916    6,263   6,882     110     56,122      57,494      59,808
Mar      :  6,443    6,776                     55,981      57,677      60,537
Apr      :  6,036    6,687                     55,933      58,228      61,598
May      :  7,062    7,062                     56,667      58,085      62,228
Jun      :  6,008    6,896                     57,264      58,516      63,271
Jul      :  7,167    6,731                     57,115      58,325      63,759
Aug      :  6,697    7,076                     56,761      59,083      64,131
Sep      :  6,502    7,313                     55,897      58,284      63,951
Oct      :  6,254    7,424                     56,165      59,052
Nov      :  6,347    7,306                     56,167      58,572
Dec      :  6,252    7,264                     56,714      58,937
         :
Annual   :
 Total   : 77,081   83,592
         :
Total    :
 Place-  :
 ments3/ :
Jan      :  7,545    8,812   8,679      98
Feb      :  7,122    8,207   8,473     103
Mar      :  7,894    8,760
Apr      :  7,238    8,299
May      :  8,505    8,957
Jun      :  7,381    8,845
Jul      :  8,460    8,318
Aug      :  8,132    8,466
Sep      :  8,092    9,035
Oct      :  8,145    9,297
Nov      :  7,973    9,406
Dec      :  8,237    9,190
         :
Annual   :
 Total   : 94,724  105,592
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Feb 1999, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Nov 1997 through Jul
    1998.
3/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.
 
 
 
 
                    Procedures and Reliability
 
Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly
and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt is made to collect
information for layer and egg estimates from each known contractor and
independent producer who has over 30,000 table egg layers.  Coverage for
operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated each month
based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900 contractors, independent
egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each month.  All
known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information on a weekly
and/or monthly basis.
 
Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late
reports or corrected data indicates a different level.  Additionally, revisions
needed after the monthly report will be made at the end of the marketing year
and published in the annual summaries of "Layers and Egg Production" and
"Hatchery Production".
 
Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given
adequate time to respond by mail.  Those that do not respond are phoned.  Great
care is exercised to ensure that all operations are accounted for during each
survey period.  However, there are usually missing reports that must be
accounted for in the estimates.
 
Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the reported
data.  All data are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data are
compared to their own past operating profiles and also to trends from other
operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar
operations or historical data.  Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these
errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data
for consistency and reasonableness.
 
Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and
research purposes.  The relationship of chicks hatched to chicken inventory and
poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The disposition of egg-type chicks
hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary significantly, which
can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory inconsistent over time.
 
Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks
expected from eggs sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report
account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply
flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the
number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months before
the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the January
1996 publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements went from
7-14 months earlier to 7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type cumulative potential
placements of 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and
additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements of
egg-type hatching flocks.
 
 
The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on
April 23, 1999.
 
 
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (braille,
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To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
 
 
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