HDR1012000150020322961500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released March 22, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service        
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office  
hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS  
Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:  NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.           
Estimates refer to January, February and March 1996.                            
                                                                                
               February Egg Production up 5 percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 5.97 billion during February 1996, up 5 percent     
from the 5.71 billion produced February 1995.  Production included 5.05         
billion table eggs and 918 million hatching egg type, of which 861 million      
were broiler-type and 57.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers   
during February 1996 averaged 299 million, up slightly from the average number  
of layers during February 1995.  February egg production per 100 layers was     
1,996 eggs, compared with 1,919 in February 1995.                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (3-96)                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on March 1, 1996, totaled 299 million, up 1 percent      
from a year ago.  The 299 million layers consisted of 245 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 51.1 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.73 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on March 1, 1996, averaged 69.5 eggs per    
100 layers, down slightly from the 69.7 eggs a year ago.                        
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 5.65 billion eggs  
during February, up 5 percent from February 1995.  The average number of        
layers during February, at 283 million, was  up 1 percent from the year         
earlier.                                                                        
                                                                                
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing         
States.  These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for      
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the  
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the  
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State   
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg     
Production" report.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 9 Percent                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during February totaled 34.7 million, up 9 percent      
from February 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 34.7 million on March 1, 1996,  
up 7 percent from a year ago.                                                   
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 238,000 during February 1995, down 5         
percent from the 251,000 of February 1995.                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 8 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The February 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 646 million, was 8 percent   
above February of the previous year.  February 1996 contained 29 days due to    
the leap year. There were 574 million eggs in incubators on March 1, 1996, up   
4 percent from a year earlier.                                                  
                                                                                
Leading  breeders placed 5.92 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 1996, up 8 percent from         
February 1995.                                                                  
                                                                                
                           For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                            United States, 1993-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1993       :      1994      :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     284,267          290,642           299,434           299,066     
Jan      :     284,398          290,041           299,084           299,513     
Feb      :     284,638          290,047           297,759           299,212     
Mar      :     284,405          290,719           296,796                       
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293                       
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548                       
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705                       
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557                       
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837                       
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021                       
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459                       
Nov      :     288,875          297,134           295,562                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  February preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1995-96                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,516      6,534      5,568      5,559         948         975   
Jan        :   6,369      6,411      5,417      5,433         952         978   
Feb        :   5,714      5,972      4,854      5,054         860         918   
Mar        :   6,448                 5,492                    956               
Apr        :   6,177                 5,238                    939               
May        :   6,251                 5,271                    980               
Jun        :   6,010                 5,060                    950               
Jul        :   6,145                 5,179                    966               
Aug        :   6,146                 5,191                    955               
Sep        :   5,990                 5,063                    927               
Oct        :   6,260                 5,301                    959               
Nov        :   6,232                 5,298                    934               
During Year:  74,258     18,917     62,932     16,046      11,326       2,871   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                and Forced Molt, United States, January-February                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jan              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 299,084      299,513         100     
    Table Egg Type                       : 246,868      246,222         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,216       53,291         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,431       50,698         103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,785        2,593          93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jan (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,130        2,140         100     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,194        2,207         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,823        1,835         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,794        1,813         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,334        2,275          97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jan       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,369        6,411         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,417        5,433         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     952          978         103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     887          919         104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      65           59          91     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Feb 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 298,202      299,180         100     
    Table Egg Type                       : 245,778      245,714         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,424       53,466         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,645       50,847         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,779        2,619          94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Feb 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      68.0         68.1       100     
    Table Egg Type                       :      70.0         70.1       100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      58.6         59.0       101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      57.6         58.2       101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      75.5         75.6       100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Feb 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       6.3          5.5        87     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      23.7         22.4        95     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
             and Forced Molt, United States, February-March 1995-96             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Feb                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  297,759      299,212        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,513      245,563        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,246       53,649        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,443       50,970        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,803        2,679         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    1,919        1,996        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    1,977        2,058        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,646        1,711        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,618        1,689        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,141        2,128         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Feb       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,714        5,972        105     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,854        5,054        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      860          918        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      800          861        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       60           57         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Mar 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  297,689      299,198        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,647      245,389        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,042       53,809        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,226       51,078        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,816        2,731         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.7         69.5        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.0         71.8        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     58.9         59.1        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     57.9         58.3        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.3         74.8         99     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Mar 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.8          3.5         71     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.1         23.4         97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, January-February, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jan                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,452      283,358        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,587      233,576        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,865       49,782        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,182       47,273        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,683        2,509         94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jan  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,130        2,142        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,194        2,207        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,825        1,838        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,793        1,813        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,385        2,312         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jan       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,017        6,069        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,125        5,154        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      892          915        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      828          857        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       64           58         91     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Feb 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  281,480      283,178        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,477      233,220        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,003       49,958        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,327       47,423        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,676        2,535         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Feb 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     68.0         68.1        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     70.0         70.1        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     58.7         59.0        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     57.7         58.1        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.6         75.8        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Feb 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      6.4          5.5         86     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.8         22.4         94     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Jan           (1,000) :   16,940       15,741         93     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Jan                      (1,000) :    2,817        2,572         91     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Feb 1                   (1,000) :   70,789       71,110        100     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Jan         (1,000) :   18,404       19,955        108     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
              Molt, February-March, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Feb                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  281,073      283,190        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,257      233,080        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,816       50,110        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,113       47,527        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,703        2,583         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    1,919        1,996        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    1,976        2,057        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,647        1,712        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,616        1,687        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,183        2,168         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Feb       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,394        5,652        105     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,590        4,794        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      804          858        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      745          802        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           56         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Mar 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  281,050      283,168        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,444      232,926        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,606       50,242        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,887       47,618        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,719        2,624         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.6         69.5        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.9         71.7        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     58.9         59.1        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     57.9         58.2        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.2         74.9        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Mar 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.8          3.5         71     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.1         23.5         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Feb           (1,000) :   14,856       14,980        101     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During Feb                      (1,000) :    3,014        2,667         88     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Mar 1                   (1,000) :   70,345       71,201        101     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Feb         (1,000) :   19,565       20,521        105     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                    and United States, During January 1995-96                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 1/   :     All Layers 1/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,614       4,320     11,725    11,121     1,919       1,897    
AR         :    6,354       5,469     16,498    15,749     1,897       1,892    
CA         :   25,961      25,233     26,565    25,791     2,108       2,144    
CO         :    2,628       2,696      3,206     3,276     2,152       2,167    
CT         :    3,390       3,400      3,574     3,549     2,210       2,226    
FL         :    8,856       8,502      9,448     9,194     2,202       2,175    
GA         :   10,438      10,716     18,161    18,736     2,065       2,039    
HI         :      745         738        794       785     2,040       2,012    
IL         :    2,689       3,099      2,901     3,301     2,378       2,242    
IN         :   21,132      20,614     22,058    21,667     2,190       2,183    
IA         :   15,900      17,547     16,775    18,403     2,021       2,222    
ME         :    4,790       4,862      4,953     4,974     2,342       2,413    
MD         :    2,771       3,403      3,368     3,904     2,257       2,177    
MI         :    5,054       4,963      5,351     5,231     2,244       2,114    
MN         :   10,215      10,770     11,036    11,573     2,220       2,203    
MS         :    2,422       2,306      6,333     6,240     1,990       1,987    
MO         :    6,003       5,640      6,828     6,770     2,197       2,127    
NE         :    8,950       8,989      9,100     9,139     2,275       2,139    
NY         :    3,492       3,677      3,819     3,974     2,357       2,365    
NC         :    6,383       6,054     13,950    13,824     1,928       1,902    
OH         :   22,381      22,764     22,661    23,196     2,237       2,319    
OK         :    1,940       2,000      3,725     3,900     2,040       2,077    
OR         :    2,416       2,522      2,604     2,699     2,227       2,186    
PA         :   20,585      20,020     21,995    21,378     2,255       2,273    
SC         :    4,010       3,695      5,035     4,703     2,244       2,148    
SD         :    1,570       1,570      1,815     1,745     2,062       2,275    
TX         :   12,413      13,166     15,656    16,321     2,069       2,102    
VA         :    1,705       1,660      3,902     3,802     1,973       2,025    
WA         :    4,975       4,955      5,239     5,186     2,367       2,275    
WI         :    2,844       2,727      3,377     3,227     2,073       2,169    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  227,626     228,077    282,452   283,358     2,130       2,142    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 2/ :   11,886      11,316     16,632    16,155     2,110       2,117    
           :                                                                    
US         :  239,512     239,393    299,084   299,513     2,130       2,140    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
flocks regardless of size.                                                      
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During February 1995-96 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,620       4,054     11,711    10,891     1,733       1,763    
AR         :    6,191       5,712     16,224    16,053     1,707       1,757    
CA         :   25,515      25,103     26,100    25,661     1,893       2,007    
CO         :    2,624       2,654      3,173     3,232     1,986       2,073    
CT         :    3,323       3,381      3,509     3,529     2,023       2,125    
FL         :    8,591       8,346      9,203     9,040     1,999       1,991    
GA         :   10,368      10,834     18,075    18,941     1,826       1,906    
HI         :      731         727        776       774     1,868       1,946    
IL         :    2,703       2,990      2,909     3,192     2,097       2,162    
IN         :   20,823      20,729     21,731    21,791     2,016       2,047    
IA         :   15,820      17,285     16,700    18,131     1,820       2,035    
ME         :    4,753       4,837      4,911     4,967     2,118       2,275    
MD         :    3,025       3,612      3,622     4,119     1,988       2,039    
MI         :    5,107       4,845      5,400     5,105     2,066       2,071    
MN         :   10,270      10,860     11,106    11,693     1,981       2,070    
MS         :    2,359       2,310      6,231     6,252     1,733       1,823    
MO         :    5,935       5,525      6,790     6,641     1,900       1,942    
NE         :    8,850       8,976      9,000     9,126     2,072       2,004    
NY         :    3,510       3,548      3,852     3,847     2,129       2,184    
NC         :    6,388       6,048     14,041    13,887     1,716       1,757    
OH         :   22,246      22,861     22,531    23,295     2,019       2,164    
OK         :    1,955       2,000      3,725     3,868     1,826       1,939    
OR         :    2,350       2,650      2,543     2,843     2,045       2,110    
PA         :   20,570      19,880     21,980    21,230     2,047       2,124    
SC         :    4,024       3,775      5,049     4,808     2,020       1,913    
SD         :    1,508       1,558      1,743     1,730     1,882       2,074    
TX         :   12,520      13,214     15,801    16,450     1,873       1,939    
VA         :    1,707       1,617      3,845     3,710     1,795       1,887    
WA         :    5,139       4,888      5,411     5,118     2,070       2,149    
WI         :    2,850       2,775      3,381     3,266     1,893       1,990    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  226,375     227,594    281,073   283,190     1,919       1,996    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,864      11,154     16,686    16,022     1,918       1,997    
           :                                                                    
US         :  238,239     238,748    297,759   299,212     1,919       1,996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
flocks regardless of size.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                                 January 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 1/    :  Hatching Eggs 1/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    225        211        102         90       123       121    
AR             :    313        298        134        115       179       183    
CA             :    560        553                                              
CO             :     69         71                                              
CT             :     79         79                                              
FL             :    208        200        198        188        10        12    
GA             :    375        382        230        229       145       153    
HI             :     16         16         16         16         0         0    
IL             :     69         74         67         73         2         1    
IN             :    483        473        472        464        11         9    
IA             :    339        409                                              
ME             :    116        120                                              
MD             :     76         85         66         77        10         8    
MI             :    120        110                                              
MN             :    245        255        236        245         9        10    
MS             :    126        124         55         52        71        72    
MO             :    150        144                                              
NE             :    207        195        207        195         0         0    
NY             :     90         94                                              
NC             :    269        263        142        131       127       132    
OH             :    507        538                                              
OK             :     76         81         48         50        28        31    
OR             :     58         59         56         58         2         1    
PA             :    496        486        478        468        18        18    
SC             :    113        101         94         82        19        19    
SD             :     37         40         37         40         0         0    
TX             :    324        343        277        290        47        53    
VA             :     77         77         37         40        40        37    
WA             :    124        118                                              
WI             :     70         70                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,017      6,069      5,125      5,154       892       915    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 2/     :    352        342        292        279        60        63    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,369      6,411      5,417      5,433       952       978    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
individual operations.                                                          
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                               February 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    203        192         92         80       111       112    
AR             :    277        282        120        109       157       173    
CA             :    494        515                                              
CO             :     63         67                                              
CT             :     71         75                                              
FL             :    184        180        174        168        10        12    
GA             :    330        361        199        217       131       144    
HI             :     14         15         14         15         0         0    
IL             :     61         69         60         68         1         1    
IN             :    438        446        428        437        10         9    
IA             :    304        369                                              
ME             :    104        113                                              
MD             :     72         84         63         76         9         8    
MI             :    111        106                                              
MN             :    220        242        211        232         9        10    
MS             :    108        114         45         47        63        67    
MO             :    129        129                                              
NE             :    186        183        186        183         0         0    
NY             :     82         84                                              
NC             :    241        244        124        121       117       123    
OH             :    455        504                                              
OK             :     68         75         43         46        25        29    
OR             :     52         60         50         58         2         2    
PA             :    450        451        434        436        16        15    
SC             :    102         92         85         75        17        17    
SD             :     33         36         33         36         0         0    
TX             :    296        319        252        269        44        50    
VA             :     69         70         34         36        35        34    
WA             :    112        110                                              
WI             :     64         65                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,394      5,652      4,590      4,794       804       858    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    320        320        264        260        56        60    
               :                                                                
US             :  5,714      5,972      4,854      5,054       860       918    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1995-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1995       :      1996       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       4.6               3.7              23.9              24.3       
Feb     :       6.3               5.5              23.7              22.4       
Mar     :       4.8               3.5              24.1              23.4       
Apr     :       3.4                                23.8                         
May     :       5.7                                22.4                         
Jun     :       6.0                                23.0                         
Jul     :       4.9                                23.4                         
Aug     :       4.1                                23.4                         
Sep     :       4.6                                23.3                         
Oct     :       5.1                                23.3                         
Nov     :       3.6                                24.2                         
Dec     :       2.2                                25.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                       and United States, March 1995-96 1/                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       5.0               1.5              13.0             12.5      
AR        :       2.5               2.0              10.5              9.5      
CA        :       9.5               6.5              43.5             46.5      
CO        :       2.0               2.5              25.0             25.0      
CT        :       3.5                .0              11.5             12.5      
FL        :      20.5               5.5              30.0             28.0      
GA        :       4.0               2.5              20.5             23.0      
HI        :       6.5               5.0              50.0             52.5      
IL        :       8.0               4.5              22.5             42.0      
IN        :       1.0               3.0              34.0             23.5      
IA        :       3.5               8.0              33.0             27.5      
ME        :        .5                .0                .5               .5      
MD        :       3.5               4.0              23.5             33.0      
MI        :       2.5               1.5              13.0             23.0      
MN        :       6.5               1.5              24.5             33.5      
MS        :       2.5                .5              17.0             15.0      
MO        :       3.0               1.5              20.5             28.5      
NE        :       5.5               7.5              23.0             33.0      
NY        :       2.0                .0              10.0              8.5      
NC        :       2.5               3.5              18.0             13.5      
OH        :       3.0                .0              16.0             12.0      
OK        :       1.5               3.0              18.0             11.5      
OR        :      12.0               3.5              32.5             36.0      
PA        :       2.0               4.0              23.5             20.0      
SC        :       8.5               3.0              28.0             30.5      
SD        :       2.0               1.0              49.0             23.0      
TX        :       4.5               6.0              25.5             20.0      
VA        :      12.0               5.0              17.0             15.5      
WA        :       8.5               6.5              38.5             39.5      
WI        :       8.0                .0              28.0             27.5      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       4.8               3.5              24.1             23.5      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       4.6               2.9              23.3             21.3      
          :                                                                     
US        :       4.8               3.5              24.1             23.4      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1995-96         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Mar 1            :    32,320       34,669       107     
  Chicks Hatched During Feb              :    31,693       34,652       109     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Feb            :    63,220       66,199       105     
  Pullets Hatched During Feb for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       251          238        95     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,937        3,064       104     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Mar 1            :   549,742      573,793       104     
  Chicks Hatched During Feb              :   598,962      646,085       108     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Feb            : 1,260,351    1,332,444       106     
  Pullets Hatched During Feb for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     5,481        5,916       108     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    53,376       54,557       102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Aug 1994 through Jul 1995.              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Nov 1994 through Jul 1995.              
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                                March 1, 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,369        4,624        106     
E North Central                          :    8,551        9,167        107     
W North Central                          :    5,079        6,287        124     
South Atlantic                           :    5,337        5,231         98     
South Central                            :    4,468        3,587         80     
West                                     :    4,516        5,773        128     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   32,320       34,669        107     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            February            :             Jan-Feb             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent     ----- 1,000 -----     Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,060      1,277      120        2,139      2,108        99    
FL           :   1,026        986       96        2,096      2,029        97    
GA           :   1,620      1,899      117        3,434      4,029       117    
IN           :   6,299      7,364      117       13,181     14,644       111    
IA           :   2,369      3,301      139        4,885      5,394       110    
KS           :     258        326      126          497        666       134    
MN           :   2,215      2,326      105        3,898      4,241       109    
MO           :     346        322       93          669        369        55    
PA           :   3,356      4,046      121        6,603      7,306       111    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  13,144     12,805       97       25,818     25,413        98    
             :                                                                  
US           :  31,693     34,652      109       63,220     66,199       105    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
      :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:   1994   :  1995   :  1996  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1995  :          :         :        :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 33,212   31,527   31,547    100     33,212     31,527   31,547    100   
Feb   : 31,086   31,693   34,652    109     64,298     63,220   66,199    105   
Mar   : 33,492   34,806                     97,790     98,026                   
Apr   : 35,668   34,101                    133,458    132,127                   
May   : 35,336   36,335                    168,794    168,462                   
Jun   : 31,986   33,392                    200,780    201,854                   
Jul   : 29,613   28,682                    230,393    230,536                   
Aug   : 31,295   30,399                    261,688    260,935                   
Sep   : 30,873   32,112                    292,561    293,047                   
Oct   : 31,766   31,682                    324,327    324,729                   
Nov   : 25,475   28,539                    349,802    353,268                   
Dec   : 29,072   30,012                    378,874    383,280                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1994-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   197      236     171      72       2,806       2,916       3,093   
Feb      :   186      251     238      95       2,812       2,937       3,064   
Mar      :   259      356                       2,754       3,027       2,918   
Apr      :   277      317                       2,787       3,072       2,895   
May      :   334      193                       2,801       3,091       2,934   
Jun      :   254      234                       2,690       3,156       2,835   
Jul      :   264      235                       2,782       3,013       2,934   
Aug      :   309      163                       2,786       3,052       2,869   
Sep      :   315      292                       2,853       3,117       2,856   
Oct      :   270      309                       2,844       3,214               
Nov      :   223      124                       2,870       3,254               
Dec      :   125      224                       2,929       3,113               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 3,013    2,934                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Aug 1994 through  
    Jul 1995.  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and   
    additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 
                                                                                
            Broiler-Type Eggs In Incubators:  By Region                         
                       and United States, March 1, 1995-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,655              12,531               108         
E North Central    :        8,408               8,074                96         
W North Central    :       16,132              19,331               120         
South Atlantic     :      217,804             231,127               106         
South Central      :      273,321             280,897               103         
West               :       22,422              21,833                97         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      549,742             573,793               104         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, February 1995-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            February            :             Jan-Feb             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  85,011     80,253       94       179,626     168,102      94    
AR           :  93,942    101,870      108       197,597     210,699     107    
DE           :  15,356     15,494      101        32,439      32,079      99    
FL           :   8,370      9,910      118        17,731      20,522     116    
GA           :  86,655     96,817      112       182,681     201,541     110    
MD           :  28,294     32,022      113        60,942      63,661     104    
MS           :  49,284     52,653      107       105,126     109,125     104    
NC           :  55,270     59,255      107       117,385     124,090     106    
PA           :   9,857     10,121      103        21,101      21,407     101    
SC           :  14,386     14,511      101        29,451      30,156     102    
TX           :  34,013     38,764      114        71,685      81,081     113    
VA           :  21,952     22,395      102        45,802      46,259     101    
CA TN & WV   :  29,471     31,198      106        63,712      65,680     103    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 531,861    565,263      106     1,125,278   1,174,402     104    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   4,972      4,894       98        10,481      10,673     102    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  62,129     75,928      122       124,592     147,369     118    
             :                                                                  
US           : 598,962    646,085      108     1,260,351   1,332,444     106    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program.                
2/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Broiler Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
       :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:  1994  :  1995   :  1996   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1995  :        :         :         :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :618,112  661,389  686,359    104    618,112   661,389   686,359   104   
Feb    :558,590  598,962  646,085    108  1,176,702 1,260,351 1,332,444   106   
Mar    :639,967  677,334                  1,816,669 1,937,685                   
Apr    :627,051  662,372                  2,443,720 2,600,057                   
May    :658,690  689,650                  3,102,410 3,289,707                   
Jun    :647,163  669,390                  3,749,573 3,959,097                   
Jul    :646,456  672,822                  4,396,029 4,631,919                   
Aug    :653,710  672,608                  5,049,739 5,304,527                   
Sep    :625,867  634,272                  5,675,606 5,938,799                   
Oct    :617,957  652,198                  6,293,563 6,590,997                   
Nov    :597,276  626,487                  6,890,839 7,217,484                   
Dec    :658,914  689,596                  7,549,753 7,907,080                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1994-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,989    5,748   5,538      96     48,072      52,785      54,597   
Feb      :  5,518    5,481   5,916     108     48,632      53,376      54,557   
Mar      :  6,301    6,161                     49,491      53,923      55,202   
Apr      :  6,101    6,319                     49,607      54,590      55,077   
May      :  6,266    6,135                     49,456      54,943      55,342   
Jun      :  5,911    6,178                     50,424      55,244      56,527   
Jul      :  6,104    6,302                     50,415      55,356      56,389   
Aug      :  6,064    6,464                     50,873      55,003      55,607   
Sep      :  6,336    6,288                     50,447      54,218      55,388   
Oct      :  6,342    6,013                     51,180      54,468               
Nov      :  5,819    6,666                     51,314      54,684               
Dec      :  6,413    6,023                     51,995      54,755               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,164   73,778                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,168    7,038   6,782      96                                      
Feb      :  6,829    7,176   7,167     100                                      
Mar      :  7,544    7,577                                                      
Apr      :  7,234    7,835                                                      
May      :  7,394    7,873                                                      
Jun      :  7,153    7,485                                                      
Jul      :  7,146    7,730                                                      
Aug      :  7,290    7,838                                                      
Sep      :  7,545    7,730                                                      
Oct      :  7,959    7,301                                                      
Nov      :  7,251    7,816                                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,612                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,421   91,011                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Nov 1994 through Jul   
    1995.                                                                       
3/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Procedures and Reliability                                 
                                                                                
Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly  
               and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt is  
made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known         
contractor and independent producer who has over 30,000 table egg layers.       
Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated    
each month based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900 contractors,  
independent egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each     
month.  All known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information  
on a weekly and/or monthly basis.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late      
            reports or corrected data indicates a different level.              
Additionally, revisions needed after the monthly report will be made at the end 
of the marketing year and published in the annual summaries of "Layers and Egg  
Production" and "Hatchery Production".                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given    
                             adequate time to respond by mail.  Those that do   
not respond are phoned.  Great care is exercised to ensure that all operations  
are accounted for during each survey period.  However, there are usually missing
reports that must be accounted for in the estimates.                            
                                                                                
Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the reported 
data.  All data are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data are       
compared to their own past operating profiles and also to trends from other     
operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar         
operations or historical data.  Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors  
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these     
errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data for
consistency and reasonableness.                                                 
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated    
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and       
research purposes.  The relationship of chicks hatched to chicken inventory and 
poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The disposition of egg-type chicks  
hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary significantly, which  
can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory inconsistent over time.      
                                                                                
Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks      
expected from eggs sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report       
account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply       
flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the      
number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months before 
the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the January 1996
publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements went from          
7-14 months earlier to 7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type cumulative potential  
placements of 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and        
additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements of   
egg-type hatching flocks.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on            
April 23, 1996.                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA     
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).     
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA,                  
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