Chickens 
and EggsNational
Agricultural
Statistics
Service

USDA
Washington, D.C.


Released October 21, 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. 



               September Egg Production Up 2 Percent

U.S. egg production totaled 6.33 billion during September 1997, up 2 percent
from the 6.24 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.34 billion table
eggs and 990 million hatching eggs, of which 934 million were broiler-type and
56.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during September 1997
averaged 302 million, up 1 percent from the average number of layers during
September 1996.  September egg production per 100 layers was 2,097 eggs,
compared with 2,094 in September 1996.

Pou 1-1 (10-97)

All layers in the U.S. on October 1, 1997, totaled 305 million, up 2 percent
from a year ago.  The 305 million layers consisted of 250 million layers
producing table or commercial type eggs, 52.0 million layers producing broiler-
type hatching eggs, and 2.57 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. 
Rate of lay per day on October 1, 1997, averaged 69.8 eggs per 100 layers, up
fractionally from the 69.7 a year ago.

Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.00 billion eggs
during September, up 2 percent from September 1996.  The average number of
layers during September, at 286 million, was  up 2 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 12 Percent


Egg-type chicks hatched during September totaled 35.8 million, up 12 percent
from September 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 30.4 million on October 1,
1997, down 1 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks
by leading breeders totaled 397,000 during September 1997, up 72 percent from
the 231,000 of September 1996.


                    Broiler Hatch Up 4 Percent

The September 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 683 million, was up 
4 percent  from  September of the previous year. There were 566 million eggs in
incubators on October 1, 1997, up 5 percent from a year earlier.  

Leading breeders placed 6.50 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future
domestic hatchery supply flocks during September 1997, up 5 percent from
September 1996.


                              For information call Tom Kruchten at (202)690-4870
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                             United States, 1994-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1994       :      1995      :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 1/   :     290,642          299,160           298,861           303,669     
Jan      :     290,041          298,367           298,814           303,293     
Feb      :     290,047          297,293           298,357           302,971     
Mar      :     290,719          296,561           298,209           303,244     
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605           302,666     
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458           301,235     
Jun      :     287,974          290,313           293,915           299,427     
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349           298,548     
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785           298,861     
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696           302,023     
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196                       
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1996-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,523      6,678      5,548      5,695         975         983   
Jan        :   6,398      6,554      5,420      5,567         978         987   
Feb        :   5,954      5,887      5,036      4,985         918         902   
Mar        :   6,495      6,600      5,505      5,580         990       1,020   
Apr        :   6,243      6,334      5,284      5,336         959         998   
May        :   6,340      6,495      5,341      5,449         999       1,046   
Jun        :   6,169      6,265      5,209      5,250         960       1,015   
Jul        :   6,440      6,433      5,457      5,400         983       1,033   
Aug        :   6,447      6,467      5,465      5,453         982       1,014   
Sep        :   6,235      6,333      5,297      5,343         938         990   
Oct        :   6,495                 5,539                    956               
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938               
During Year:  76,148     64,046     64,572     54,058      11,576       9,988   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
           and Forced Molt, United States, August-September 1996-97 1/          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Aug              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 296,785      298,861         101     
    Table Egg Type                       : 244,647      244,100         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,138       54,761         105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,634       52,308         105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,504        2,453          98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Aug (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,172        2,164         100     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,234        2,234         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,883        1,852          98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,866        1,831          98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,236        2,283         102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Aug       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,447        6,467         100     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,465        5,453         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     982        1,014         103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     926          958         103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      56           56         100     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Sep 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 296,911      299,264         101     
    Table Egg Type                       : 244,751      245,255         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,160       54,009         104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,664       51,578         104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,496        2,431          97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Sep 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.9         70.0       100     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.8         72.2       101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      61.0         60.1        99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      60.3         59.4        99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      74.6         76.5       103     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Sep 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       4.3          3.9        91     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      22.3         21.5        96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, September-October 1996-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Sep                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  297,696      302,023        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,961      247,474        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   51,735       54,549        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,216       52,043        106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,519        2,506         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,094        2,097        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,154        2,159        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,813        1,815        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,794        1,795        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,183        2,235        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Sep       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,235        6,333        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,297        5,343        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      938          990        106     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      883          934        106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       55           56        102     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Oct 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,433      304,743        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  247,144      249,672        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   51,289       55,071        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   48,757       52,498        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,532        2,573        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.7         69.8        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.7         71.7        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.2         60.8        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.5         60.0        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.3         76.8        103     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Oct 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.8          4.6         96     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.0         22.5         98     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
            Molt, August-September, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Aug                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,782      283,212        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,214      232,258        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,568       50,954        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,157       48,591        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,411        2,363         98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Aug  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,174        2,166        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,235        2,235        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,884        1,849         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,863        1,830         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,281        2,243         98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Aug       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,104        6,133        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,189        5,191        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      915          942        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      860          889        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       55           53         96     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Sep 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,834      283,516        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,202      233,299        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,632       50,217        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,222       47,872        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,410        2,345         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Sep 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.9         70.1        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.8         72.2        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     61.1         60.2         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     60.4         59.4         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.7         76.3        102     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Sep 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.3          3.9         91     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.5         21.5         96     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Aug           (1,000) :   13,884       13,972        101     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 Composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During Aug                      (1,000) :    3,322        3,167         95     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Sep 1                   (1,000) :   71,645       76,630        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Aug  3/     (1,000) :   18,271       17,945         98     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 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, September-October, 1996-97 1/            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Sep                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  281,703      286,052        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,451      235,343        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,252       50,709        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,819       48,305        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,433        2,404         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,097        2,099        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,154        2,161        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,818        1,812        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,796        1,793        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,219        2,205         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Sep       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,906        6,004        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,029        5,085        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      877          919        105     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      823          866        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       54           53         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Oct 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,537      288,561        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  234,682      237,375        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   47,855       51,186        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,409       48,729        107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,446        2,457        100     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.8         69.9        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.8         71.8        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.1         60.8        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.4         60.0        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.0         77.3        104     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Oct 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.8          4.6         96     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.1         22.5         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Sep           (1,000) :   14,508       12,221         84     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 Composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During Sep                      (1,000) :    2,841        2,843        100     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Oct 1                   (1,000) :   69,798       74,691        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Sep 4/       (1,000):   20,039       17,452         87     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Preliminary.                                                                
4/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 is     
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.                           
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                   and United States, During August 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         :    3,961       4,021     10,402    10,726     1,990       1,958    
AR         :    4,933       4,546     14,358    14,452     1,936       1,841    
CA         :   24,623      24,636     25,186    25,235     2,176       2,191    
CO         :    2,659       2,827      3,220     3,402     2,174       2,205    
CT         :    3,503       3,115      3,634     3,254     2,229       2,336    
FL         :    8,136       8,095      8,726     8,730     2,269       2,176    
GA         :   10,670      11,016     18,607    19,723     2,085       2,069    
HI         :      722         687        749       711     1,922       1,950    
IL         :    3,031       2,561      3,226     2,712     2,387       2,212    
IN         :   20,497      20,300     21,611    21,150     2,253       2,293    
IA         :   18,800      20,160     19,662    21,081     2,243       2,201    
ME         :    4,929       4,796      5,059     4,904     2,431       2,427    
MD         :    3,089       2,862      3,528     3,275     2,154       2,229    
MI         :    4,564       4,774      4,791     5,010     2,229       2,272    
MN         :   11,445      10,770     12,273    11,605     2,167       2,103    
MS         :    2,140       1,883      6,580     6,667     2,006       1,995    
MO         :    5,705       5,637      6,745     6,818     2,194       2,288    
NE         :    9,030       9,383      9,180     9,533     2,189       2,186    
NY         :    3,331       3,133      3,610     3,331     2,299       2,342    
NC         :    5,446       4,397     12,747    12,093     1,961       1,927    
OH         :   23,748      24,661     24,230    25,211     2,295       2,297    
OK         :    1,890       1,673      3,890     3,578     1,979       1,956    
OR         :    2,518       2,733      2,710     2,900     2,325       2,310    
PA         :   19,350      19,825     20,593    21,053     2,253       2,275    
SC         :    3,628       3,617      4,660     4,674     2,232       2,246    
SD         :    1,883       1,840      2,095     2,118     2,344       2,170    
TX         :   12,631      13,482     15,973    16,889     2,016       2,096    
VA         :    1,969       1,422      4,130     3,324     2,349       1,895    
WA         :    4,892       4,882      5,122     5,253     2,362       2,303    
WI         :    3,020       3,167      3,485     3,800     2,181       2,368    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  226,743     226,901    280,782   283,212     2,174       2,166    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,158      10,779     16,003    15,649     2,137       2,134    
           :                                                                    
US         :  237,901     237,680    296,785   298,861     2,172       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 September 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         :    4,135       4,050     10,481    10,703     1,918       1,906    
AR         :    4,890       4,660     14,520    14,396     1,860       1,827    
CA         :   25,017      24,912     25,571    25,516     2,088       2,105    
CO         :    2,686       2,872      3,248     3,436     2,094       2,125    
CT         :    3,497       3,107      3,626     3,253     2,151       2,183    
FL         :    8,204       8,020      8,799     8,634     2,228       2,131    
GA         :   10,628      11,356     18,441    20,151     2,028       1,980    
HI         :      700         687        724       711     1,989       1,866    
IL         :    3,059       2,945      3,251     3,092     2,338       2,232    
IN         :   20,654      20,425     21,752    21,285     2,193       2,218    
IA         :   19,100      20,428     19,967    21,357     2,179       2,126    
ME         :    5,014       4,788      5,139     4,894     2,316       2,329    
MD         :    3,216       2,889      3,652     3,309     2,054       2,176    
MI         :    4,655       4,845      4,885     5,086     2,121       2,232    
MN         :   11,315      10,818     12,155    11,648     2,123       2,069    
MS         :    2,115       1,855      6,556     6,699     1,952       1,926    
MO         :    5,683       5,550      6,663     6,774     2,146       2,214    
NE         :    8,916       9,528      9,066     9,678     2,088       2,139    
NY         :    3,212       3,007      3,495     3,217     2,260       2,269    
NC         :    5,473       4,401     12,607    11,716     1,896       1,861    
OH         :   23,954      25,507     24,436    26,056     2,185       2,234    
OK         :    1,860       1,673      3,793     3,553     1,951       1,886    
OR         :    2,475       2,767      2,675     2,930     2,280       2,150    
PA         :   19,245      20,155     20,493    21,378     2,181       2,189    
SC         :    3,655       3,700      4,718     4,795     2,183       2,169    
SD         :    1,895       1,843      2,110     2,120     2,211       2,214    
TX         :   12,983      13,634     16,428    17,219     1,911       2,027    
VA         :    1,919       1,514      3,898     3,392     2,129       1,975    
WA         :    4,811       4,955      5,045     5,326     2,240       2,216    
WI         :    3,021       3,093      3,509     3,728     2,080       2,226    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  227,987     229,984    281,703   286,052     2,097       2,099    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,250      11,072     15,993    15,971     2,051       2,054    
           :                                                                    
US         :  239,237     241,056    297,696   302,023     2,094       2,097    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 1996 Revised.                                             
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                August 1996-97 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    207        210         90         90       117        120   
AR             :    278        266        104         91       174        175   
CA             :    548        553                                              
CO             :     70         75                                              
CT             :     81         76                                              
FL             :    198        190        187        178        11         12   
GA             :    388        408        234        242       154        166   
HI             :     14         14         14         14         0          0   
IL             :     77         60         76         59         1          1   
IN             :    487        485        477        475        10         10   
IA             :    441        464                                              
ME             :    123        119                                              
MD             :     76         73         69         67         7          6   
MI             :    107        114                                              
MN             :    266        244        256        233        10         11   
MS             :    132        133         50         44        82         89   
MO             :    148        156                                              
NE             :    201        208        201        208         0          0   
NY             :     83         78                                              
NC             :    250        233        125         97       125        136   
OH             :    556        579                                              
OK             :     77         70         45         39        32         31   
OR             :     63         67         61         66         2          1   
PA             :    464        479        450        465        14         14   
SC             :    104        105         86         86        18         19   
SD             :     49         46         49         46         0          0   
TX             :    322        354                                              
VA             :     97         63         48         32        49         31   
WA             :    121        121                                              
WI             :     76         90                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,104      6,133      5,189      5,191       915        942   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    343        334        276        262        67         72   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,447      6,467      5,465      5,453       982      1,014   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                              September 1996-97 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    201        204         89         88       112       116    
AR             :    270        263        100         94       170       169    
CA             :    534        537                                              
CO             :     68         73                                              
CT             :     78         71                                              
FL             :    196        184        184        173        12        11    
GA             :    374        399        226        236       148       163    
HI             :     14         13         14         13         0         0    
IL             :     76         69         75         68         1         1    
IN             :    477        472        468        462         9        10    
IA             :    435        454                                              
ME             :    119        114                                              
MD             :     75         72         69         66         6         6    
MI             :    104        113                                              
MN             :    258        241        247        230        11        11    
MS             :    128        129         48         41        80        88    
MO             :    143        150                                              
NE             :    189        207        189        207         0         0    
NY             :     79         73                                              
NC             :    239        218        120         92       119       126    
OH             :    534        582                                              
OK             :     74         67         44         37        30        30    
OR             :     61         63         59         62         2         1    
PA             :    447        468        433        455        14        13    
SC             :    103        104         85         85        18        19    
SD             :     47         47         47         47         0         0    
TX             :    314        349                                              
VA             :     83         67         44         34        39        33    
WA             :    113        118                                              
WI             :     73         83                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,906      6,004      5,029      5,085       877       919    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    329        329        268        258        61        71    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,235      6,333      5,297      5,343       938       990    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 1996 Revised.                                             
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1996-97 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1996       :      1997       :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       3.7               3.8              24.3              22.3       
Feb     :       5.4               5.1              22.3              21.6       
Mar     :       3.5               2.4              23.3              22.9       
Apr     :       1.9               3.1              22.9              21.8       
May     :       5.4               5.3              22.2              19.8       
Jun     :       4.7               4.4              22.2              20.8       
Jul     :       4.0               4.8              22.9              21.1       
Aug     :       4.7               3.5              22.0              21.9       
Sep     :       4.3               3.9              22.3              21.5       
Oct     :       4.8               4.6              23.0              22.5       
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, October 1996-97 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       2.0               4.0              16.0             14.5      
AR        :       2.5               2.5              10.5             13.0      
CA        :       8.5               8.5              41.0             35.5      
CO        :       7.0               6.0              27.0             26.0      
CT        :        .5                .0              13.0             12.0      
FL        :       7.5               5.5              36.0             41.0      
GA        :       6.0               9.5              22.5             19.5      
HI        :       6.5               8.0              56.5             56.0      
IL        :       3.5               1.0              18.5             33.0      
IN        :       3.0               4.5              19.0             21.5      
IA        :       5.5               4.0              32.0             25.0      
ME        :        .5                .0               1.5               .0      
MD        :       9.5               2.5              31.0             47.0      
MI        :       6.5               5.0              15.0             18.5      
MN        :       6.5               3.5              31.0             37.5      
MS        :       3.0               3.0              15.0             11.5      
MO        :       2.5               1.5              22.0             24.5      
NE        :       6.5               5.0              29.0             26.0      
NY        :       1.0               2.0               5.5              7.5      
NC        :       1.0               1.5              15.0             14.0      
OH        :       3.0               3.0              12.0             14.0      
OK        :       4.0               3.5              14.5             10.0      
OR        :       3.0               6.0              34.0             36.5      
PA        :       4.5               5.0              22.0             14.0      
SC        :       5.5               8.5              29.0             24.0      
SD        :       4.0               1.5              57.5             57.0      
TX        :       7.5               5.0              22.0             26.0      
VA        :       5.5               2.5               7.5              7.5      
WA        :       7.0               4.5              41.5             39.5      
WI        :       5.0               6.0              23.5             24.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       4.8               4.6              23.1             22.5      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       5.4               5.1              20.4             21.8      
          :                                                                     
US        :       4.8               4.6              23.0             22.5      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
            Hatchery Production:  Eggs in Incubators, Chicks Hatched,           
        and Placements by Type, United States, September-October 1996-97        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Oct 1            :    30,634       30,441        99     
  Chicks Hatched During Sep              :    32,070       35,794       112     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Sep            :   309,729      323,540       104     
  Pullets Hatched During Aug for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       231          397       172     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,911        2,910       100     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Oct 1            :   539,425      566,473       105     
  Chicks Hatched During Sep              :   658,976      683,249       104     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Sep            : 6,098,553    6,263,691       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Aug for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,166        6,502       105     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    55,533       55,856       101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Mar 1996 through Feb 1997.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Jun 1996 through Feb 1997.              

                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               October 1, 1996-97                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,921        4,887         99     
E North Central                          :    8,394        8,116         97     
W North Central                          :    5,048        5,330        106     
South Atlantic                           :    4,675        4,405         94     
South Central                            :    3,201        3,898        122     
West                                     :    4,395        3,805         87     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   30,634       30,441         99     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
Regional Listing:                                                               
North Atlantic  = CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT.                         
E North Central = IL, IN, MI, OH, WI.                                         
W North Central = IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD.                                 
South Atlantic  = DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV.                             
South Central   = AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX.                             
West            = AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY.         
                                                                                
              Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State and United States,             
                                September 1996-97                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :           September            :             Jan-Sep             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     591        696      118        8,186       7,393       90    
FL           :   1,281      1,192       93        9,881      10,858      110    
GA           :   2,113      2,012       95       18,779      18,818      100    
IN           :   6,849      7,437      109       65,340      65,519      100    
IA           :   2,920      3,899      134       29,991      35,568      119    
KS           :     331        219       66        2,378       2,347       99    
MN           :   1,684      2,041      121       18,301      17,627       96    
MO           :     359        378      105        3,123       3,499      112    
PA           :   5,156      5,548      108       36,941      44,290      120    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  10,786     12,372      115      116,809     117,621      101    
             :                                                                  
US           :  32,070     35,794      112      309,729     323,540      104    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                


                                                                               
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1997  :          :         :        :  1997  
      :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:   1995   :  1996   :  1997  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 32,374   31,523   33,331    106     32,374     31,523   33,331    106   
Feb   : 32,743   34,627   35,318    102     65,117     66,150   68,649    104   
Mar   : 36,019   37,474   37,648    100    101,136    103,624  106,297    103   
Apr   : 35,078   35,628   38,746    109    136,214    139,252  145,043    104   
May   : 37,540   38,607   38,891    101    173,754    177,859  183,934    103   
Jun   : 34,996   34,076   36,955    108    208,750    211,935  220,889    104   
Jul   : 29,572   33,331   33,954    102    238,322    245,266  254,843    104   
Aug   : 31,442   32,393   32,903    102    269,764    277,659  287,746    104   
Sep   : 33,586   32,070   35,794    112    303,350    309,729  323,540    104   
Oct   : 33,383   33,065                    336,733    342,794                   
Nov   : 29,129   31,437                    365,862    374,231                   
Dec   : 30,639   33,017                    396,501    407,248                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1995-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1996    :   1997    :   1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   236      219     208       95      3,108       2,953       2,814   
Feb      :   251      238     219       92      3,089       2,984       2,747   
Mar      :   356      317     206       65      2,943       3,007       2,845   
Apr      :   317      252     316      125      2,920       2,946       3,011   
May      :   193      291     268       92      2,951       2,870               
Jun      :   234      282     256       91      2,835       2,956               
Jul      :   235      266     199       75      2,941       2,940               
Aug      :   163      186     284      153      2,924       2,929               
Sep      :   292      231     397      172      2,911       2,910               
Oct      :   309      233                       2,872       2,799               
Nov      :   124      210                       2,807       2,863               
Dec      :   231      215                       2,905       2,840               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 2,941    2,940                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For September 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Mar 1996 through 
    Feb 1997.  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and   
    additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 
                                                                                

                                                                                
                   Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region                  
                      and United States, October 1, 1996-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       10,830              12,028               111         
E North Central    :        7,837               6,931                88         
W North Central    :       20,215              20,647               102         
South Atlantic     :      209,297             215,691               103         
South Central      :      271,629             292,557               108         
West               :       19,617              18,619                95         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      539,425             566,473               105         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                      and United States, September 1996-97                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :           September            :             Jan-Sep             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  86,773     90,327      104       788,971     822,699     104    
AR           : 103,717    103,254      100       943,387     952,740     101    
DE           :  15,666     15,207       97       145,383     147,556     101    
FL           :   9,633      9,037       94        91,596      84,757      93    
GA           :  98,687    104,403      106       916,649     950,885     104    
MD           :  29,576     29,628      100       276,006     275,180     100    
MS           :  57,065     59,411      104       512,307     555,154     108    
NC           :  59,661     57,721       97       561,666     548,910      98    
PA           :  12,071     12,682      105       105,138     114,307     109    
SC           :  15,094     14,909       99       136,881     137,489     100    
TX           :  41,535     42,950      103       370,025     393,456     106    
VA           :  22,808     23,061      101       209,421     212,713     102    
CA TN & WV   :  31,874     34,745      109       306,317     314,179     103    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 584,160    597,335      102     5,363,747   5,510,025     103    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,048      4,920       97        50,559      52,656     104    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  69,768     80,994      116       684,247     701,010     102    
             :                                                                  
US           : 658,976    683,249      104     6,098,553   6,263,691     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, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1997  :        :         :         :  1997  
       :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:  1995  :  1996   :  1997   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :662,467  689,994  700,467    102    662,467   689,994   700,467   102   
Feb    :600,095  645,590  631,259     98  1,262,562 1,335,584 1,331,726   100   
Mar    :679,066  692,287  716,374    103  1,941,628 2,027,871 2,048,100   101   
Apr    :664,121  668,378  690,790    103  2,605,749 2,696,249 2,738,890   102   
May    :691,935  700,556  720,610    103  3,297,684 3,396,805 3,459,500   102   
Jun    :670,815  672,168  702,511    105  3,968,499 4,068,973 4,162,011   102   
Jul    :673,666  679,766  709,150    104  4,642,165 4,748,739 4,871,161   103   
Aug    :674,054  690,838  709,281    103  5,316,219 5,439,577 5,580,442   103   
Sep    :638,882  658,976  683,249    104  5,955,101 6,098,553 6,263,691   103   
Oct    :655,036  652,232                  6,610,137 6,750,785                   
Nov    :629,208  631,142                  7,239,345 7,381,927                   
Dec    :693,007  695,011                  7,932,352 8,076,938                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1995-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1996    :   1997    :   1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,710    5,487   6,393     117     54,562      56,074      56,607   
Feb      :  5,484    5,916   5,913     100     54,522      56,090      57,718   
Mar      :  6,161    6,093   6,439     106     55,178      55,944      57,907   
Apr      :  6,320    6,746   6,122      91     55,053      55,892      58,462   
May      :  6,135    6,776   7,056     104     55,356      56,626               
Jun      :  6,178    6,169   6,008      97     56,528      57,218               
Jul      :  6,302    6,029   7,332     122     56,585      57,072               
Aug      :  6,475    6,510   6,697     103     55,752      56,719               
Sep      :  6,288    6,166   6,502     105     55,533      55,856               
Oct      :  6,013    6,221                     55,448      56,126               
Nov      :  6,656    6,508                     55,892      56,219               
Dec      :  6,218    5,947                     56,193      56,765               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,940   74,568                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,040    6,693   7,665     115                                      
Feb      :  7,180    7,167   7,252     101                                      
Mar      :  7,577    7,501   8,030     107                                      
Apr      :  7,835    7,903   7,453      94                                      
May      :  7,873    8,234   8,660     105                                      
Jun      :  7,485    7,467   7,483     100                                      
Jul      :  7,730    7,572   8,714     115                                      
Aug      :  7,850    8,120   8,350     103                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771   8,188     105                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892                                                      
Nov      :  7,784    7,860                                                      
Dec      :  7,750    7,709                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 91,135   91,889                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For Sep 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jun 1996 through Feb   
    1997.                                                                       
3/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.                           

                     Procedures and Reliability

Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly
           and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt is made to collect
information for layer and egg estimates from each known contractor and independent producer who
has over 30,000 table egg layers.  Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg
layers are estimated each month based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900
contractors, independent egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each month. 
All known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information on a weekly and/or
monthly basis.


Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late reports
          or corrected data indicates a different level.  Additionally, revisions needed
after the monthly report will be made at the end of the marketing year and published in the
annual summaries of "Layers and Egg Production" and "Hatchery Production".


Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given adequate time to
                             respond by mail.  Those that do not respond are phoned.  Great
care is exercised to ensure that all operations are accounted for during each survey period. 
However, there are usually missing reports that must be accounted for in the estimates.  

Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the reported data.  All data
are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data are compared to their own past operating
profiles and also to trends from other operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated
based on similar operations or historical data.  Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these errors cannot be
measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data for consistency and reasonableness.

Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated breeds including
males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and research purposes.  The relationship
of chicks hatched to chicken inventory and poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The
disposition of egg-type chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary
significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory inconsistent over time.

Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks expected from eggs
sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report account for a large percentage of
replacement pullets for hatchery supply flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these
breeders indicates the number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months
before the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the January 1996
publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements went from 7-14 months earlier to
7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type cumulative potential placements of 7-18 months represent the
first laying cycle.  Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative
potential placements of egg-type hatching flocks.


The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on November 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, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape,
etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340
 (voice) or 202-720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.




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