HDR1012000150020422971500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released April 22, 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.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                 March Egg Production Up 2 Percent                              
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.60 billion during March 1997, up 2 percent from   
the 6.50 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.58 billion table      
eggs and 1.02 billion hatching eggs, of which 957 million were broiler-type     
and 63.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during March 1997   
averaged 303 million, up 2 percent from the average number of layers during     
March 1996.  March egg production per 100 layers was 2,177 eggs, compared with  
2,178 in March 1996.                                                            
Pou 1-1 (4-97)                                                                  
All layers in the U.S. on April 1, 1997, totaled 303 million, up 2 percent      
from a year ago.  The 303 million layers consisted of 248 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 52.1 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.63 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on April 1, 1997, averaged 70.4 eggs per    
100 layers, down 1 percent from the 70.9 a year ago.                            
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.25 billion eggs  
during March, up 2 percent from March 1996.  The average number of layers       
during March, at 287 million, was up 2 percent from the year earlier.           
                                                                                
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing         
States. These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for       
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the  
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the  
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State   
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg     
Production" report.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up Slightly                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during March totaled 37.6 million, up slightly from     
March 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 35.2 million on April 1, 1997, up       
4 percent from a year ago.                                                      
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 206,000 during March 1997, down 35 percent   
from the 317,000 of March 1996.                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler Hatch Up 3 Percent                                 
                                                                                
The March 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 716 million, was up 3 percent   
from  March of the previous year.  There were 584 million eggs in incubators    
on April 1, 1997, up 4 percent from a year earlier.                             
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.44 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during March 1997, up 6 percent from March      
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           303,111     
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605                       
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458                       
Jun      :     287,974          290,313           293,915                       
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349                       
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785                       
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696                       
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196                       
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1996-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,523      6,678      5,548      5,695         975         983   
Jan        :   6,398      6,554      5,420      5,567         978         987   
Feb        :   5,954      5,887      5,036      4,985         918         902   
Mar        :   6,495      6,599      5,505      5,579         990       1,020   
Apr        :   6,243                 5,284                    959               
May        :   6,340                 5,341                    999               
Jun        :   6,169                 5,209                    960               
Jul        :   6,440                 5,457                    983               
Aug        :   6,447                 5,465                    982               
Sep        :   6,235                 5,297                    938               
Oct        :   6,495                 5,539                    956               
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938               
During Year:  76,148     25,718     64,572     21,826      11,576       3,892   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, February-March 1996-97 1/           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Feb              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 298,357      302,971         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 244,708      248,929         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  53,649       54,042         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  50,970       51,378         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,679        2,664          99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   1,996        1,943          97     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,058        2,003          97     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,711        1,669          98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,689        1,651          98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,128        2,027          95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Feb       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   5,954        5,887          99     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,036        4,985          99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     918          902          98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     861          848          98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      57           54          95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Mar 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 298,348      303,406         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 244,539      249,321         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  53,809       54,085         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  51,078       51,453         101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,731        2,632          96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.5         69.9       101     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.8         72.0       100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      59.1         60.2       102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      58.3         59.5       102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      74.8         75.7       101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Mar 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       3.5          2.4        69     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      23.3         22.9        98     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
               and Forced Molt, United States, March-April 1996-97              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Mar                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,209      303,111        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  244,703      248,688        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,506       54,423        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,767       51,788        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,739        2,635         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Mar  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,178        2,177        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,250        2,243        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,850        1,874        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,824        1,848        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,337        2,391        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Mar       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,495        6,599        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,505        5,579        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      990        1,020        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      926          957        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       64           63         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Apr 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,029      302,770        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  244,850      248,033        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,179       54,737        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,440       52,112        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,739        2,625         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Apr 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.9         70.4         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.2         72.6         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.1         60.7        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.2         59.9        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     76.9         77.2        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Apr 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      1.9          3.0        158     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.9         21.9         96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, February-March, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        :            :            :    1997     
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Feb                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,355      286,918        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,245      236,519        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   50,110       50,399        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,527       47,839        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,583        2,560         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Feb  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    1,996        1,943         97     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,057        2,001         97     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,712        1,671         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,687        1,651         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,168        2,031         94     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Feb       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,635        5,575         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,777        4,733         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      858          842         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      802          790         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       56           52         93     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Mar 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,333      287,374        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,091      237,041        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   50,242       50,333        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,618       47,805        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,624        2,528         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Mar 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.5         69.9        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.7         71.9        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.1         60.4        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.2         59.6        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.9         75.4        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Mar 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.5          2.5         71     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.5         22.9         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Feb           (1,000) :   14,996       14,025         94     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed, or     :                                      
Composted Disappeared For Any Reason     :                                      
 During Feb                      (1,000) :    2,664        3,333        125     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Mar 1                   (1,000) :   71,112       74,365        105     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Feb  3/     (1,000) :   20,485       18,776         92     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet focks.  1997 is      
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flock.                            
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
                Molt, 30 Selected States, March-April, 1996-97 1/               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Mar                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,280      287,005        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,326      236,351        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,954       50,654        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,317       48,122        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,637        2,532         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Mar  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,178        2,179        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,248        2,243        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,852        1,877        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,824        1,852        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,351        2,370        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Mar       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,147        6,253        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,222        5,302        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      925          951        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      863          891        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       62           60         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Apr 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,199      286,601        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,552      235,647        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,647       50,954        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,004       48,429        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,643        2,525         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Apr 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.9         70.6        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.2         72.7         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.0         60.7        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.1         59.9        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     76.6         76.8        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Apr 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      1.9          3.0        158     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.0         21.9         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Mar           (1,000) :   15,395       14,726         96     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During Mar                      (1,000) :    2,631        3,012        114     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Apr 1                   (1,000) :   69,846       74,822        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Mar 4/       (1,000):   17,235       16,939         98     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 February 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         :    4,054       4,051     10,891    10,541     1,763       1,755    
AR         :    5,712       4,648     16,053    14,914     1,757       1,676    
CA         :   25,103      25,384     25,661    25,956     2,007       1,992    
CO         :    2,654       2,669      3,232     3,222     2,073       1,955    
CT         :    3,381       3,259      3,529     3,406     2,125       2,143    
FL         :    8,346       8,051      9,040     8,764     1,991       1,928    
GA         :   10,834      11,208     18,941    19,828     1,906       1,891    
HI         :      727         699        774       723     1,946       1,893    
IL         :    2,990       3,387      3,192     3,538     2,162       2,092    
IN         :   20,729      20,097     21,791    20,980     2,047       2,045    
IA         :   17,285      19,682     18,131    20,630     2,035       1,910    
ME         :    4,837       5,131      4,967     5,227     2,275       2,181    
MD         :    3,138       3,084      3,645     3,559     2,030       1,939    
MI         :    4,895       4,866      5,155     5,115     2,071       1,949    
MN         :   10,860      11,080     11,693    11,858     2,070       1,940    
MS         :    2,310       2,062      6,252     6,705     1,823       1,730    
MO         :    5,525       5,295      6,641     6,482     1,942       1,928    
NE         :    8,976       9,277      9,126     9,427     2,004       1,921    
NY         :    3,548       3,257      3,847     3,463     2,184       2,108    
NC         :    6,058       5,353     13,897    12,835     1,749       1,753    
OH         :   22,861      25,418     23,295    25,964     2,164       2,045    
OK         :    2,000       1,690      3,868     3,640     1,939       1,813    
OR         :    2,650       2,717      2,843     2,889     2,110       2,077    
PA         :   19,880      20,080     21,230    21,336     2,124       2,104    
SC         :    3,775       3,844      4,808     4,816     1,913       1,910    
SD         :    1,558       1,773      1,730     2,025     2,074       2,016    
TX         :   12,793      13,181     16,029    16,677     1,934       1,883    
VA         :    1,617       2,347      3,710     3,810     1,887       1,785    
WA         :    4,888       4,663      5,118     5,030     2,149       2,068    
WI         :    2,775       2,954      3,266     3,558     2,051       2,080    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  226,759     231,207    282,355   286,918     1,996       1,943    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,154      11,330     16,002    16,053     1,994       1,944    
           :                                                                    
US         :  237,913     242,537    298,357   302,971     1,996       1,943    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 March 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         :    4,044       4,147     10,810    10,653     1,924       1,990    
AR         :    5,686       4,590     16,008    14,810     1,887       1,877    
CA         :   24,706      24,977     25,246    25,553     2,242       2,219    
CO         :    2,574       2,643      3,174     3,232     2,237       2,166    
CT         :    3,342       3,255      3,484     3,401     2,296       2,411    
FL         :    8,416       8,068      9,099     8,812     2,187       2,179    
GA         :   10,923      11,149     18,962    19,948     2,120       2,126    
HI         :      733         711        776       736     2,083       2,161    
IL         :    2,948       3,346      3,141     3,488     2,356       2,322    
IN         :   20,549      20,219     21,624    21,084     2,238       2,262    
IA         :   17,351      19,967     18,210    20,899     2,186       2,201    
ME         :    4,737       5,119      4,870     5,226     2,485       2,354    
MD         :    3,153       3,068      3,621     3,476     2,154       2,244    
MI         :    4,873       4,887      5,135     5,136     2,217       2,182    
MN         :   11,033      10,998     11,881    11,771     2,222       2,175    
MS         :    2,358       1,995      6,309     6,746     2,013       1,972    
MO         :    5,448       5,532      6,573     6,722     2,099       2,172    
NE         :    8,956       9,318      9,106     9,468     2,201       2,120    
NY         :    3,609       3,197      3,928     3,412     2,317       2,286    
NC         :    6,029       5,141     13,787    12,693     1,908       1,970    
OH         :   23,019      25,772     23,494    26,331     2,328       2,290    
OK         :    1,998       1,730      3,888     3,635     2,032       1,981    
OR         :    2,601       2,800      2,804     2,963     2,389       2,362    
PA         :   19,830      19,660     21,175    20,918     2,333       2,352    
SC         :    3,793       3,725      4,781     4,701     2,175       2,191    
SD         :    1,743       1,755      1,935     2,005     2,201       2,257    
TX         :   12,996      13,183     16,272    16,665     2,132       2,112    
VA         :    1,602       2,309      3,695     3,777     1,976       2,065    
WA         :    4,914       4,715      5,152     5,079     2,368       2,323    
WI         :    2,847       3,044      3,340     3,665     2,246       2,292    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  226,811     231,020    282,280   287,005     2,178       2,179    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,069      11,260     15,929    16,106     2,178       2,148    
           :                                                                    
US         :  237,880     242,280    298,209   303,111     2,178       2,177    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                               February 1996-97 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    192        185         80         81       112       104    
AR             :    282        250        109         84       173       166    
CA             :    515        517                                              
CO             :     67         63                                              
CT             :     75         73                                              
FL             :    180        169        168        156        12        13    
GA             :    361        375        217        225       144       150    
HI             :     15         14         15         14         0         0    
IL             :     69         74         68         73         1         1    
IN             :    446        429        437        420         9         9    
IA             :    369        394                                              
ME             :    113        114                                              
MD             :     74         69         66         62         8         7    
MI             :    107        100                                              
MN             :    242        230        232        221        10         9    
MS             :    114        116         47         38        67        78    
MO             :    129        125                                              
NE             :    183        181        183        181         0         0    
NY             :     84         73                                              
NC             :    243        225        120        108       123       117    
OH             :    504        531                                              
OK             :     75         66         46         37        29        29    
OR             :     60         60         58         59         2         1    
PA             :    451        449        436        435        15        14    
SC             :     92         92         75         76        17        16    
SD             :     36         41         36         41         0         0    
TX             :    310        314                                              
VA             :     70         68         36         44        34        24    
WA             :    110        104                                              
WI             :     67         74                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,635      5,575      4,777      4,733       858       842    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    319        312        259        252        60        60    
               :                                                                
US             :  5,954      5,887      5,036      4,985       918       902    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                                March 1996-97 1/                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    208        212         87         95       121        117   
AR             :    302        278        117         92       185        186   
CA             :    566        567                                              
CO             :     71         70                                              
CT             :     80         82                                              
FL             :    199        192        185        176        14         16   
GA             :    402        424        246        254       156        170   
HI             :     16         16         16         16         0          0   
IL             :     74         81         73         80         1          1   
IN             :    484        477        475        467         9         10   
IA             :    398        460                                              
ME             :    121        123                                              
MD             :     78         78         70         71         8          7   
MI             :    114        112                                              
MN             :    264        256        253        246        11         10   
MS             :    127        133         54         43        73         90   
MO             :    138        146                                              
NE             :    200        201        200        201         0          0   
NY             :     91         78                                              
NC             :    263        250        131        118       132        132   
OH             :    547        603                                              
OK             :     79         72         49         41        30         31   
OR             :     67         70         65         69         2          1   
PA             :    494        492        477        476        17         16   
SC             :    104        103         86         85        18         18   
SD             :     43         45         43         45         0          0   
TX             :    347        352                                              
VA             :     73         78         36         51        37         27   
WA             :    122        118                                              
WI             :     75         84                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,147      6,253      5,222      5,302       925        951   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    348        346        283        277        65         69   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,495      6,599      5,505      5,579       990      1,020   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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               3.0              22.9              21.9       
May     :       5.4                                22.2                         
Jun     :       4.7                                22.2                         
Jul     :       4.0                                22.9                         
Aug     :       4.7                                22.0                         
Sep     :       4.3                                22.3                         
Oct     :       4.8                                23.0                         
Nov     :       3.1                                23.9                         
Dec     :       2.1                                23.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                       and United States, April 1996-97 1/                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       1.0               3.5              10.0             12.0      
AR        :       2.0               4.5               9.0              8.5      
CA        :       1.5               6.5              46.5             40.0      
CO        :       4.0               3.5              17.5             24.0      
CT        :       3.0                .0              12.0             11.0      
FL        :       2.0               3.0              32.5             26.5      
GA        :       3.0               1.5              22.5             20.0      
HI        :       8.0               7.5              47.0             47.5      
IL        :       4.5               7.5              28.5             19.5      
IN        :       1.5               1.5              23.5             17.5      
IA        :       2.0               2.5              25.5             36.0      
ME        :        .0                .0                .0              3.0      
MD        :       7.0               5.0              31.0             38.0      
MI        :       2.0               2.0              21.0             19.0      
MN        :       1.0               2.0              31.5             31.5      
MS        :       2.5               2.5              13.5             13.0      
MO        :        .0               1.5              25.5             14.0      
NE        :       4.0               5.0              35.0             25.5      
NY        :        .0               1.0               3.5              3.0      
NC        :       1.5               1.5              14.5             10.5      
OH        :        .5               2.0              11.0             12.0      
OK        :       1.5               3.5              13.0             12.5      
OR        :       5.0               7.0              37.5             36.0      
PA        :       1.5               2.0              21.5             18.0      
SC        :        .0               3.5              32.5             27.0      
SD        :       3.0               1.5              41.0             52.0      
TX        :       3.5               2.5              21.0             25.0      
VA        :       3.5               2.5              10.0             13.0      
WA        :       3.0               7.0              40.5             42.0      
WI        :        .5               4.5              26.0             21.5      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       1.9               3.0              23.0             21.9      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       2.5               3.0              20.3             22.0      
          :                                                                     
US        :       1.9               3.0              22.9             21.9      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March-April 1996-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Apr 1            :    33,919       35,162       104     
  Chicks Hatched During Mar              :    37,474       37,648       100     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Mar            :   103,624      106,297       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Mar for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       317          206        65     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,943        3,007       102     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Apr 1            :   561,736      583,986       104     
  Chicks Hatched During Mar              :   692,287      716,374       103     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Mar            : 2,027,871    2,048,100       101     
  Pullets Hatched During Mar for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,093        6,439       106     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    55,178       55,944       101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Sep 1995 through Aug 1996.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Dec 1995 through Aug 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                                April 1, 1996-97                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,653        5,842        126     
E North Central                          :    8,668        9,623        111     
W North Central                          :    6,156        5,966         97     
South Atlantic                           :    5,003        4,895         98     
South Central                            :    4,788        3,929         82     
West                                     :    4,651        4,907        106     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   33,919       35,162        104     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                  March 1996-97                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :             March              :             Jan-Mar             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     803        671       84        2,911       2,279       78    
FL           :     963      1,289      134        2,968       3,406      115    
GA           :   2,362      2,152       91        6,391       6,290       98    
IN           :   7,505      7,377       98       22,149      21,908       99    
IA           :   3,829      3,448       90        9,223      10,328      112    
KS           :     178        248      139          844         796       94    
MN           :   2,037      1,963       96        6,278       6,383      102    
MO           :     427        427      100          796       1,099      138    
PA           :   3,884      5,523      142       11,190      14,626      131    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  15,486     14,550       94       40,874      39,182       96    
             :                                                                  
US           :  37,474     37,648      100      103,624     106,297      103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1997  :          :         :        :  1997  
      :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:   1995   :  1996   :  1997  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 32,374   31,523   33,331    106     32,374     31,523   33,331    106   
Feb   : 32,743   34,627   35,318    102     65,117     66,150   68,649    104   
Mar   : 36,019   37,474   37,648    100    101,136    103,624  106,297    103   
Apr   : 35,078   35,628                    136,214    139,252                   
May   : 37,540   38,607                    173,754    177,859                   
Jun   : 34,996   34,076                    208,750    211,935                   
Jul   : 29,572   33,331                    238,322    245,266                   
Aug   : 31,442   32,393                    269,764    277,659                   
Sep   : 33,586   32,070                    303,350    309,729                   
Oct   : 33,383   33,065                    336,733    342,794                   
Nov   : 29,129   31,437                    365,862    374,231                   
Dec   : 30,639   33,017                    396,501    407,248                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1995-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   236      219     208      95       3,022       3,108       2,953   
Feb      :   251      238     219      92       3,009       3,089       2,984   
Mar      :   356      317     206      65       3,075       2,943       3,007   
Apr      :   317      252                       3,106       2,920       2,946   
May      :   193      291                       3,119       2,951       2,870   
Jun      :   234      282                       3,187       2,835       2,956   
Jul      :   235      266                       3,045       2,941       2,940   
Aug      :   163      186                       3,068       2,924       2,929   
Sep      :   292      231                       3,135       2,911       2,910   
Oct      :   309      233                       3,232       2,872       2,799   
Nov      :   124      210                       3,272       2,807               
Dec      :   231      215                       3,131       2,905               
         :                                                                      
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.  Revised in "Hatchery       
    Production" on April 15, 1997.                                              
2/  For March 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Sep 1995 through Aug 
    1996.  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and       
    additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region                  
                       and United States, April 1, 1996-97                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,509              12,095               105         
E North Central    :        7,794               8,021               103         
W North Central    :       19,089              21,671               114         
South Atlantic     :      223,357             226,005               101         
South Central      :      277,851             293,772               106         
West               :       22,136              22,422               101         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      561,736             583,986               104         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                        and United States, March 1996-97                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :             March              :             Jan-Mar             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  89,230     94,040      105       261,233     268,880     103    
AR           : 107,837    109,624      102       318,553     317,130     100    
DE           :  16,991     16,889       99        49,070      48,014      98    
FL           :  10,466     10,507      100        30,988      29,588      95    
GA           : 104,541    108,295      104       306,082     310,112     101    
MD           :  32,015     31,734       99        92,442      90,764      98    
MS           :  55,847     63,943      114       164,972     181,653     110    
NC           :  64,572     64,632      100       188,662     180,654      96    
PA           :  11,777     12,786      109        33,233      37,130     112    
SC           :  15,682     15,699      100        45,838      45,575      99    
TX           :  41,770     44,418      106       122,873     125,513     102    
VA           :  24,387     24,272      100        70,646      69,622      99    
CA TN & WV   :  35,707     36,403      102       101,370     103,023     102    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 610,822    633,242      104     1,785,962   1,807,658     101    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,489      6,171      112        16,162      17,700     110    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  75,976     76,961      101       225,747     222,742      99    
             :                                                                  
US           : 692,287    716,374      103     2,027,871   2,048,100     101    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                  2,605,749 2,696,249                   
May    :691,935  700,556                  3,297,684 3,396,805                   
Jun    :670,815  672,168                  3,968,499 4,068,973                   
Jul    :673,666  679,766                  4,642,165 4,748,739                   
Aug    :674,054  690,838                  5,316,219 5,439,577                   
Sep    :638,882  658,976                  5,955,101 6,098,553                   
Oct    :655,036  652,232                  6,610,137 6,750,785                   
Nov    :629,208  631,142                  7,239,345 7,381,927                   
Dec    :693,007  695,011                  7,932,352 8,076,938                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1995-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,710    5,487   6,393     117     53,071      54,562      56,074   
Feb      :  5,484    5,916   5,913     100     53,563      54,522      56,090   
Mar      :  6,161    6,093   6,439     106     53,808      55,178      55,944   
Apr      :  6,320    6,746                     54,576      55,053      55,892   
May      :  6,135    6,776                     54,930      55,356      56,626   
Jun      :  6,178    6,169                     55,297      56,528      57,218   
Jul      :  6,302    6,029                     55,376      56,585      57,072   
Aug      :  6,475    6,510                     54,965      55,752      56,719   
Sep      :  6,288    6,166                     54,183      55,533      55,856   
Oct      :  6,013    6,221                     54,433      55,448      56,126   
Nov      :  6,656    6,508                     54,649      55,892               
Dec      :  6,218    5,947                     54,720      56,193               
         :                                                                      
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                                                      
May      :  7,873    8,234                                                      
Jun      :  7,485    7,467                                                      
Jul      :  7,730    7,572                                                      
Aug      :  7,850    8,120                                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771                                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892                                                      
Nov      :  7,784    7,860                                                      
Dec      :  7,750    7,709                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 91,135   91,889                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.  Revised in "Hatchery       
    Production" on April 15, 1997.                                              
2/  For Mar 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Dec 1995 through Aug   
    1996.                                                                       
3/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Procedures and Reliability                                 
                                                                                
Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly  
               and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt is  
made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known         
contractor and independent producer who has over 30,000 table egg layers.       
Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated    
each month based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900 contractors,  
independent egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each     
month.  All known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information  
on a weekly and/or monthly basis.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late      
            reports or corrected data indicates a different level.              
Additionally, revisions needed after the monthly report will be made at the     
end of the marketing year and published in the annual summaries of "Layers and  
Egg Production" and "Hatchery Production".                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given    
                             adequate time to respond by mail.  Those that do   
not respond are phoned.  Great care is exercised to ensure that all operations  
are accounted for during each survey period.  However, there are usually        
missing reports that must be accounted for in the estimates.                    
                                                                                
Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the          
reported data.  All data are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data  
are compared to their own past operating profiles and also to trends from       
other operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar   
operations or historical data.  Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors  
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these     
errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data    
for consistency and reasonableness.                                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated    
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and       
research purposes.  The relationship of chicks hatched to chicken inventory     
and poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The disposition of egg-type     
chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary                
significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory         
inconsistent over time.                                                         
                                                                                
Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks      
expected from eggs sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report       
account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply       
flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the      
number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months        
before the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the      
January 1996 publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements went  
from 7-14 months earlier to 7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type cumulative       
potential placements of 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting  
and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements  
of egg-type hatching flocks.                                                    
                                                                                
The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on         
May 22, 1997.                                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA     
Office of Communications at (202) 720-2791.                                     
                                                                                
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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