United States
Department of
Agriculture

Hatchery Production 
1997 Summary


April 1998


 National
 Agricultural
 Statistics
 Service

 
 Pou 1-1-1 (98)
 

              Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent

Broiler-type chicks hatched during 1997 totaled 8.32 billion, an increase
of 3 percent from 1996. This record level continues the trend of annual    
increases begun in 1975.

Leading breeders had intended placements of 77.1 million broiler-type pullet
chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during 1997, an increase of 
3 percent from 1996.


                    15-State Broiler Placements

Placements of broiler chicks in the 15-State weekly program totaled 7.16 billion
during the 52 week period ending December 27, 1997. This total was 3 percent
larger than the comparable period a year earlier.


                Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 6 Percent

Egg-type chicks hatched during 1997 totaled 425 million, up 6 percent from 1996. 

Leading breeders had intended placements of 2.98 million egg-type pullet chicks
for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during 1997, up 1 percent from 1996.


                           Poults Placed

Turkey hatcheries placed 321 million poults in the United States during
1997. This output was down 2 percent from 1996.


                         Hatchery Capacity

The capacity of chicken hatcheries on January 1, 1998, was 833 million
eggs, up 2 percent from a year earlier.

The capacity of turkey hatcheries was 51.5 million on January 1, 1998, down 
1 percent from January 1,1997.



      Broiler-Type Chicks:  Number Hatched by Month, Selected States
                        and United States, 1996
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :         :        :        :        :        :       :        
 State     :    Jan  :   Feb  :   Mar  :   Apr  :   May  :  Jun  :    Jul    
           :         :        :        :        :        :       :      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           1,000
           :
AL         :  89,864   82,139   89,230   86,000   89,627   87,814   88,418
AR         : 108,846  101,870  107,837  101,413  105,263  104,259  104,117
DE         :  16,585   15,494   16,991   15,313   16,169   15,919   16,122
FL         :  10,612    9,910   10,466    9,875    9,936   10,305   10,352
GA         : 104,724   96,817  104,541  100,159  104,220  100,613  103,548
MD         :  31,281   29,146   32,015   30,698   31,598   31,092   29,994
MS         :  56,472   52,653   55,847   56,207   59,292   57,826   58,397
NC         :  64,835   59,255   64,572   62,702   64,300   59,739   62,836
PA         :  11,286   10,170   11,777   11,291   12,283   11,700   12,294
SC         :  15,645   14,511   15,682   14,854   15,266   14,750   15,539
TX         :  42,320   38,783   41,770   40,128   42,912   40,690   40,668
VA         :  23,864   22,395   24,387   23,001   23,280   22,750   23,077
CA,TN,WV   :  34,469   31,194   35,707   34,003   36,198   34,858   34,064
           :
15 Sts 1/  : 610,803  564,337  610,822  585,644  610,344  592,315  599,426
           :
OR & WA    :   5,779    4,894    5,489    6,130    6,314    5,245    5,956
           :
Oth sts 2/ :  73,412   76,359   75,976   76,604   83,898   74,608   74,384
           :
US 1996    : 689,994  645,590  692,287  668,378  700,556  672,168  679,766
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.                                    --continued
                               

    Broiler-Type Chicks:  Number Hatched by Month, Selected States
                 and United States, 1996 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
           :        :        :        :         :         :                 
 State     :   Aug  :   Sep  :   Oct  :   Nov   :   Dec   :  Total           
           :        :        :        :         :         :                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                     1,000
           :
AL         :  89,106   86,773   86,484   81,833   91,727  1,049,015
AR         : 106,065  103,717  103,298   95,913  107,111  1,249,709
DE         :  17,124   15,666   15,591   14,970   15,195    191,139
FL         :  10,507    9,633    9,840    9,411   10,001    120,848
GA         : 103,340   98,687   98,430   94,824  106,631  1,216,534
MD         :  30,606   29,576   28,387   28,449   30,828    363,670
MS         :  58,548   57,065   57,890   54,273   61,145    685,615
NC         :  63,766   59,661   57,277   57,416   60,041    736,400
PA         :  12,266   12,071   11,426   11,392   12,711    140,667
SC         :  15,540   15,094   15,370   14,622   15,785    182,658
TX         :  41,219   41,535   40,462   38,553   43,865    492,905
VA         :  23,859   22,808   22,238   21,259   23,936    276,854
CA,TN,WV   :  33,950   31,862   30,888   33,530   34,997    405,720
           :
15 Sts 1/  : 605,896  584,148  577,581  556,445  613,973  7,111,734
           :
OR & WA    :   5,704    5,048    5,042    5,045    6,021     66,667
           :
Oth sts 2/ :  79,238   69,768   70,914   69,865   74,732    899,758
           :
US 1996    : 690,838  658,964  653,537  631,355  694,726  8,078,159
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ States in the weekly hatchery estimating program.
2/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. 

                 
      Broiler-Type Chicks:  Number Hatched by Month, Selected States
                       and United States, 1997
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :         :        :        :        :        :        :       
 State     :    Jan  :   Feb  :   Mar  :   Apr  :   May  :   Jun  :   Jul    
           :         :        :        :        :        :        :       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           1,000
           :
AL         :  92,017   82,820   94,036   90,180   94,894   91,718   92,756
AR         : 108,459   99,189  109,957  105,461  108,185  106,379  106,429
DE         :  16,072   15,053    16889   16,268   16,820   16,736   16,807
FL         :   9,908    9,149    10507    8,964    9,367    9,263    9,515
GA         : 106,275   95,595   108305  103,199  107,858  107,793  109,334
MD         :  31,866   27,194    31734   30,768   31,733   30,323   31,279
MS         :  61,954   55,756    63943   62,728   65,266   62,375   62,892
NC         :  61,009   55,020    64632   60,912   63,423   61,609   62,098
PA         :  12,770   11,574    12803   12,723   13,258   12,336   12,958
SC         :  15,850   14,026    15699   14,867   15,615   15,405   15,587
TX         :  44,394   40,237    45201   44,269   46,277   45,933   46,165
VA         :  23,807   21,309    24261   23,831   24,700   23,443   24,224
CA,TN,WV   :   35055    31215    37596    35996    37949    36514    36808
           :
15 STS 1/  : 619,436  558,137  635,563  610,166  635,345  619,827  626,852
           :
OR & WA    :    6018     5233     5974     6013     6626     5848     6190
           :
OTH STS 2/ :  74,567   70,883   77,362   77,567   82,764   78,454   77,657
           :
U S 1997   : 700,021  634,253  718,899  693,746  724,735  704,129  710,699
           :
U S 1996   : 689,994  645,590  692,287  668,378  700,556  672,168  679,766
           :
1997 as %  :
of 1996    :     101       98      104      104      103      105      105
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.                                    --continued


     Broiler-Type Chicks:  Number Hatched by Month, Selected States
                 and United States, 1997 (continued)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :         :        :        :        :        :                   
 State     :    Aug  :   Sep  :   Oct  :   Nov  :   Dec  :      Total          
           :         :        :        :        :        :                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                     1,000
           :
AL         :  93,944   90,327   89,398   83,830   92,538     1,088,458
AR         : 106,487  103,391  104,243   98,707  107,893     1,264,780
DE         :  16,141   15,207   15,117   14,591   15,718       191,419
FL         :   9,318    9,044    9,279    9,440   10,210       113,964
GA         : 107,987  104,403  103,618   95,685  105,891     1,255,943
MD         :  31,733   29,628   28,825   27,837   31,239       364,159
MS         :  60,829   59,411   61,095   57,879   62,068       736,196
NC         :  62,505   57,721   57,082   56,038   59,894       721,943
PA         :  13,153   12,682   12,791   11,697   12,800       151,545
SC         :  15,531   14,909   15,375   14,620   15,368       182,852
TX         :  44,575   42,959   43,077   41,141   45,767       529,995
VA         :  23,841   23,061   23,113   21,706   23,496       280,792
CA,TN,WV   :   36151    35194    33953    35264    38935       430,630
           :
15 STS 1/  : 622,195  597,937  596,966  568,435  621,817     7,312,676
           :
OR & WA    :    5359     4920     4740     4909     5640        67,470
           :
OTH STS 2/ :  81,083   81,347   81,407   74,744   84,515       942,350
           :
U S 1997   : 708,637  684,204  683,113  648,088  711,972     8,322,496
           :
U S 1996   : 690,838  658,964  653,537  631,355  694,726     8,078,159
           :
1997 as %  :
of 1996    :     103      104      105      103      102           103
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ States in the weekly hatchery estimating program.
2/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. 


            Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators:  First of Month
                   by Region and United States, 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Region     :      Jan      :    Feb      :     Mar     :     Apr     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :     11,594        11,662        12,465        11,509
 E North Central :      6,910         7,357         7,329         7,290
 W North Central :     22,865        20,476        19,388        19,078
 South Atlantic  :    227,628       225,619       228,615       223,357
 South Central   :    282,523       283,509       283,604       277,851
 West            :     21,499        19,980        21,952        22,136
                 :
 US              :    573,019       568,603       573,353       561,221
                 :--------------------------------------------------------
                 :      May      :    Jun      :     Jul     :     Aug     
                 :--------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :     11,886        11,769        11,566        11,809
 E North Central :      8,052         8,256         7,164         7,544
 W North Central :     22,889        22,461        23,137        21,798
 South Atlantic  :    222,994       222,505       221,295       225,900
 South Central   :    280,739       285,486       278,845       281,799
 West            :     23,609        22,435        21,922        21,450
                 :
 US              :    570,169       572,912       563,929       570,300
                 :--------------------------------------------------------
                 :       Sep     :     Oct     :     Nov     :     Dec   
                 :--------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :     11,949        10,830        11,157        11,983
 E North Central :      7,262         7,362         7,294         7,200
 W North Central :     22,066        20,215        19,102        21,758
 South Atlantic  :    222,466       209,306       206,559       223,631
 South Central   :    281,757       271,629       260,882       285,651
 West            :     21,540        19,617        22,698        22,808
                 :
 US              :    567,040       538,959       527,692       573,031
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regions
 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


                 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators:  First of Month
                         by Region and United States, 1997
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Region     :      Jan      :    Feb      :     Mar     :     Apr  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     :                          1,000
                     :
     North Atlantic  :     12,267        11,934        11,985        12,155
     E North Central :      7,316         7,178         7,998         8,021
     W North Central :     22,774        21,195        22,396        22,382
     South Atlantic  :    226,126       222,739       231,252       226,127
     South Central   :    290,488       290,595       297,652       296,654
     West            :     22,706        22,217        23,200        22,532
                     :
     US              :    581,677       575,858       594,483       587,871
                     :--------------------------------------------------------
                     :      May      :    Jun      :     Jul     :     Aug
                     :--------------------------------------------------------
                     :                          1,000
                     :
     North Atlantic  :     12,608        12,252        12,022        12,589
     E North Central :      8,187         7,346         6,881         7,476
     W North Central :     22,962        22,812        21,347        22,217
     South Atlantic  :    229,421       232,482       229,213       229,161
     South Central   :    299,789       302,683       297,868       298,366
     West            :     23,493        22,772        22,806        21,783
                     :
     US              :    596,460       600,347       590,137       591,592
                     :--------------------------------------------------------
                     :       Sep     :     Oct     :     Nov     :     Dec
                     :--------------------------------------------------------
                     :                          1,000
                     :
     North Atlantic  :     12,348        12,020        11,093        11,800
     E North Central :      6,779         6,926         6,879         7,352
     W North Central :     23,317        20,647        19,497        21,955
     South Atlantic  :    227,007       214,900       208,556       225,835
     South Central   :    301,813       292,349       282,266       303,436
     West            :     21,644        18,757        20,891        22,970
                     :
     US              :    592,908       565,599       549,182       593,348
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                    and Total, October-December 1996
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Oct  5  : Oct 12  : Oct 19  : Oct 26  : Nov  2  : Nov  9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   24,193    22,565    23,847    21,434    22,961    24,478
AR             :   28,498    27,381    27,038    26,126    26,920    28,312
DE             :    4,329     4,202     3,797     4,047     4,462     4,402
FL             :    2,655     2,630     2,696     2,689     2,606     2,809
GA             :   28,645    28,102    25,702    25,918    27,289    28,536
MD             :    7,916     7,839     7,301     8,085     8,314     8,747
MS             :   16,474    16,002    15,801    13,724    14,971    16,221
NC             :   16,675    15,394    15,398    16,092    16,780    16,928
PA             :    3,310     3,225     3,212     3,249     3,495     3,642
SC             :    4,410     4,176     4,032     4,071     4,244     4,280
TX             :   11,439    11,458    10,692    10,181    11,323    12,079
VA             :    6,509     6,121     5,960     6,080     5,561     6,603
CA TN & WV     :    8,626     8,085     9,497     9,304    10,100     9,600
               :
Total          :  163,679   157,180   154,973   151,000   159,026   166,637
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   16,970    17,500    17,267    17,655    15,976    17,144
AR             :   22,306    21,679    21,350    22,394    22,111    20,995
DE             :    4,591     4,769     4,868     4,835     4,483     4,759
FL             :    2,529     2,524     2,462     2,676     2,578     2,422
GA             :   21,333    21,516    21,377    22,800    22,983    21,112
MD             :    5,892     5,347     5,698     5,550     5,569     4,658
MS             :   13,858    13,363    13,293    13,816    13,640    13,971
NC             :   11,902    12,094    12,557    13,001    12,609    12,519
PA             :    2,383     2,291     2,489     2,516     2,425     2,207
SC             :    3,782     3,176     3,461     4,027     3,520     3,376
TX             :    8,587     7,781     7,882     8,491     8,363     7,702
VA             :    4,573     4,172     5,195     5,351     5,003     4,704
CA TN & WV     :    7,635     8,206     8,458     8,180     7,771     9,102
               :
Total          :  126,341   124,418   126,357   131,292   127,031   124,671
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                 and Total, October-December 1996 (continued)     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Nov 16  : Nov 23  : Nov 30  : Dec  7  : Dec 14  : Dec 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   25,025    24,913    25,205    25,246    25,200    25,306
AR             :   29,162    29,372    28,711    29,038    29,276    29,511
DE             :    4,091     4,325     4,097     4,048     4,302     4,454
FL             :    2,815     2,579     2,885     2,932     2,823     2,840
GA             :   29,415    29,294    29,735    29,098    29,213    29,097
MD             :    8,379     8,571     8,655     8,469     8,574     8,770
MS             :   16,637    15,555    17,119    16,927    17,056    16,869
NC             :   16,098    16,664    16,808    16,749    16,759    17,001
PA             :    3,632     3,663     3,546     3,498     3,678     3,715
SC             :    4,406     4,408     4,322     4,293     4,293     4,404
TX             :   11,988    12,168    12,232    12,155    12,189    12,092
VA             :    6,580     6,608     6,546     6,546     6,579     6,525
CA TN & WV     :    9,197     9,731     9,993     9,467     9,606     9,528
               :
Total          :  167,425   167,851   169,854   168,466   169,548   170,112
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   15,379    16,764    17,545    18,446    18,890    18,263
AR             :   20,099    20,779    23,171    23,241    23,004    23,354
DE             :    4,744     4,378     5,799     5,584     5,040     4,635
FL             :    2,386     2,275     2,488     2,613     2,319     2,564
GA             :   20,906    22,419    23,357    24,021    23,536    24,381
MD             :    5,527     6,638     5,607     5,080     6,141     6,352
MS             :   12,218    13,090    14,232    14,626    13,143    14,015
NC             :   12,568    13,280    13,715    12,800    13,025    13,101
PA             :    2,374     2,673     2,525     2,514     2,633     2,556
SC             :    3,558     3,218     3,427     3,479     3,781     3,968
TX             :    7,261     8,261     8,784     8,897     8,863     8,946
VA             :    4,724     4,392     4,927     5,153     5,169     5,233
CA TN & WV     :    8,802     9,355     9,232     8,632     9,226     9,447
               :
Total          :  120,546   127,522   134,809   135,086   134,770   136,815
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
              and Total, October-December 1996 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :     Week Ending   :
      State    :-------------------:         Thirteen Week Total
               :     Dec 28        :
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                      1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :     25,558                        315,931
AR             :     29,365                        368,710
DE             :      4,390                         54,946
FL             :      2,831                         35,790
GA             :     29,689                        369,733
MD             :      8,701                        108,321
MS             :     17,192                        210,548
NC             :     16,959                        214,305
PA             :      3,668                         45,533
SC             :      4,497                         55,836
TX             :     12,313                        152,309
VA             :      6,479                         82,697
CA TN & WV     :      9,687                        122,421
               :
Total          :    171,329                      2,137,080
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :     18,015                        225,814
AR             :     23,327                        287,810
DE             :      4,266                         62,751
FL             :      2,761                         32,597
GA             :     24,184                        293,925
MD             :      6,259                         74,318
MS             :     14,603                        177,868
NC             :     13,292                        166,463
PA             :      2,567                         32,153
SC             :      3,774                         46,547
TX             :      8,845                        108,663
VA             :      5,132                         63,728
CA TN & WV     :      8,793                        112,839
               :
Total          :    135,818                      1,685,476
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                         and Total, 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Jan  4  : Jan 11  : Jan 18  : Jan 25  : Feb  1  : Feb  8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   25,415    25,284    24,840    25,188    25,230    25,708
AR             :   29,430    29,829    29,985    29,771    29,992    30,150
DE             :    4,412     4,329     4,282     4,661     4,681     4,696
FL             :    2,717     2,737     3,034     2,805     2,854     2,792
GA             :   29,541    28,807    29,024    29,172    29,126    29,623
MD             :    8,748     8,485     8,005     7,708     8,745     8,687
MS             :   17,061    16,952    16,547    16,716    17,040    17,292
NC             :   17,293    16,581    16,542    16,703    16,968    17,700
PA             :    3,534     3,606     3,508     3,500     3,607     3,736
SC             :    4,410     4,319     4,187     4,263     4,397     4,355
TX             :   12,159    12,112    12,122    12,248    12,272    12,242
VA             :    6,555     6,642     6,251     6,602     6,706     6,674
CA TN & WV     :    9,673     9,338     9,058     9,853     9,349     9,443
               :
Total          :  170,948   169,021   167,385   169,190   170,967   173,098
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,455    17,836    18,229    18,418    18,717    17,988
AR             :   23,199    23,816    23,642    23,596    24,418    23,671
DE             :    4,764     5,037     4,930     4,855     5,244     5,084
FL             :    2,497     2,696     2,736     2,442     2,341     2,851
GA             :   23,434    23,618    24,277    24,352    23,830    23,454
MD             :    6,461     6,105     6,014     6,626     5,946     5,591
MS             :   14,992    14,501    14,834    14,681    14,782    13,967
NC             :   13,279    13,573    13,229    14,146    13,064    12,770
PA             :    2,643     2,688     2,673     2,666     2,629     2,570
SC             :    3,869     3,562     3,924     3,112     3,724     3,855
TX             :    8,843     8,996     8,927     8,976     9,122     8,888
VA             :    4,789     5,303     5,339     4,628     4,760     4,873
CA TN & WV     :    9,276     9,165     9,230     9,258     8,726     8,612
               :
Total          :  136,501   136,896   137,984   137,756   137,303   134,174
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                         and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Feb 15  : Feb 22  : Mar  1  : Mar  8  : Mar 15  : Mar 22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   25,772    25,996    26,108    25,593    25,021    25,803
AR             :   29,806    29,973    30,091    29,999    30,060    29,772
DE             :    4,678     4,520     4,601     4,620     4,511     4,510
FL             :    2,863     3,032     2,927     3,131     2,561     2,556
GA             :   29,946    29,994    30,097    29,368    29,633    29,040
MD             :    8,677     8,758     8,718     8,929     8,893     8,711
MS             :   17,391    17,297    17,246    17,341    17,223    17,512
NC             :   17,639    17,629    17,929    17,535    17,549    17,257
PA             :    3,554     3,468     3,655     3,810     3,571     3,742
SC             :    4,406     4,403     4,340     4,343     4,341     4,341
TX             :   12,297    12,313    12,355    12,258    12,340    12,355
VA             :    6,647     6,565     6,583     6,685     6,620     6,691
CA TN & WV     :   10,083    10,385    10,198    10,561    10,198    10,205
               :
Total          :  173,759   174,333   174,848   174,173   172,521   172,495
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,168    18,324    19,166    18,593    18,884    18,967
AR             :   24,961    22,986    24,514    22,901    24,124    24,293
DE             :    5,497     4,803     5,966     5,148     5,302     5,087
FL             :    2,528     2,495     2,676     2,774     2,820     2,860
GA             :   23,570    23,863    23,671    23,914    24,060    24,216
MD             :    5,328     6,607     5,402     6,381     5,734     5,920
MS             :   13,988    14,142    14,521    14,936    14,938    14,964
NC             :   13,007    13,608    13,612    13,901    13,668    14,285
PA             :    2,787     2,908     2,952     2,671     2,588     2,724
SC             :    3,158     3,779     3,894     3,799     3,888     3,869
TX             :    9,070     9,108     9,113     9,173     9,226     9,206
VA             :    5,128     4,969     5,348     4,919     5,575     5,611
CA TN & WV     :    9,547     9,093     9,177     9,915     9,928     9,805
               :
Total          :  136,737   136,685   140,012   139,025   140,735   141,807
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                         and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Mar 29  : Apr  5  : Apr 12  : Apr 19  : Apr 26  : May  3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   25,138    26,014    26,030    26,080    25,981    26,046
AR             :   28,660    30,190    29,718    29,129    30,111    29,206
DE             :    4,708     4,606     4,709     4,645     4,408     4,628
FL             :    2,563     2,566     2,601     2,625     2,599     2,594
GA             :   28,176    30,402    29,944    30,196    30,460    28,817
MD             :    8,686     8,838     8,691     8,729     8,817     8,718
MS             :   17,499    17,462    17,882    17,942    17,042    17,887
NC             :   17,094    17,563    17,536    17,425    17,514    17,417
PA             :    3,692     3,709     3,666     3,630     3,810     3,796
SC             :    4,341     4,343     4,343     4,355     4,410     4,440
TX             :   12,402    12,261    12,416    12,269    12,483    12,646
VA             :    6,670     6,665     6,657     6,664     6,652     6,664
CA TN & WV     :   10,277     9,890    10,654    11,066     9,969    10,006
               :
Total          :  169,906   174,509   174,847   174,755   174,256   172,865
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,173    18,781    18,703    18,048    18,592    18,667
AR             :   24,519    25,143    24,834    23,120    23,726    23,737
DE             :    5,323     5,163     5,290     5,871     6,010     4,744
FL             :    3,136     2,430     2,434     2,574     2,837     2,723
GA             :   24,303    23,307    23,148    22,417    24,052    24,197
MD             :    6,396     6,424     6,028     5,812     5,677     6,560
MS             :   14,792    14,921    15,172    15,278    15,374    15,541
NC             :   14,274    13,727    13,272    13,269    13,539    13,654
PA             :    2,800     2,667     2,833     2,854     2,715     2,723
SC             :    3,554     3,778     3,645     3,656     3,964     3,715
TX             :    9,336     9,326     9,329     9,341     9,230     9,289
VA             :    4,948     5,542     5,511     5,146     5,363     5,639
CA TN & WV     :   10,260     9,780     9,930    10,130     9,234     9,913
               :
Total          :  141,814   140,989   140,129   137,516   140,313   141,102
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                      and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : May 10  : May 17  : May 24  : May 31  : Jun  7  : Jun 14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   26,301    25,949    26,035    25,955    26,061    25,797
AR             :   29,642    30,098    29,849    29,958    30,112    30,033
DE             :    4,684     4,605     4,685     4,744     4,733     4,698
FL             :    2,594     2,643     2,672     2,655     2,672     2,582
GA             :   29,551    30,636    30,638    30,867    30,834    30,731
MD             :    8,833     8,839     8,576     8,734     8,786     8,792
MS             :   17,781    17,517    17,567    17,558    17,490    17,250
NC             :   17,517    17,552    17,439    17,661    17,627    17,502
PA             :    3,628     3,504     3,726     3,594     3,550     3,571
SC             :    4,445     4,450     4,439     4,439     4,426     4,303
TX             :   12,781    12,801    12,878    12,844    13,005    12,759
VA             :    6,665     6,636     6,628     6,599     6,600     6,662
CA TN & WV     :   10,529    10,646    10,221    10,695    10,353    10,391
               :
Total          :  174,951   175,876   175,353   176,303   176,249   175,071
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   19,423    18,802    18,954    18,448    18,669    18,986
AR             :   22,535    24,505    24,395    24,189    24,337    24,651
DE             :    5,162     5,514     5,319     5,103     5,363     5,873
FL             :    2,647     2,693     2,631     2,624     2,718     2,629
GA             :   23,929    24,530    23,066    24,191    24,690    24,746
MD             :    6,285     5,364     5,896     6,554     5,947     5,585
MS             :   15,485    14,642    15,168    15,261    15,319    15,221
NC             :   13,546    13,488    13,819    13,385    13,545    13,539
PA             :    2,685     2,836     2,777     2,736     2,703     2,761
SC             :    3,617     3,990     3,626     3,706     3,788     3,900
TX             :    9,225     9,354     9,451     9,634     9,670     9,744
VA             :    5,432     5,705     5,410     5,260     5,777     5,122
CA TN & WV     :   10,354     9,427     9,336    10,118     9,985     9,617
               :
Total          :  140,325   140,850   139,848   141,209   142,511   142,374
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                       and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Jun 21  : Jun 28  : Jul  5  : Jul 12  : Jul 19  : Jul 26
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   25,238    25,589    25,331    25,809    25,891    25,799
AR             :   29,514    29,276    28,707    29,346    29,316    29,464
DE             :    4,740     4,311     4,629     4,614     4,613     4,260
FL             :    2,677     2,672     2,601     2,559     2,592     2,597
GA             :   30,462    30,268    29,743    30,673    30,585    29,649
MD             :    8,869     8,161     8,782     8,687     8,685     8,732
MS             :   17,524    16,768    17,029    17,206    17,259    17,421
NC             :   17,770    16,367    16,656    17,262    17,444    17,520
PA             :    3,727     3,495     3,650     3,718     3,736     3,734
SC             :    4,457     4,328     4,454     4,457     4,376     4,432
TX             :   12,713    12,625    12,759    11,509    12,828    12,406
VA             :    6,679     6,671     6,566     6,596     6,611     6,599
CA TN & WV     :   10,866     9,506    10,467    10,180    10,285     9,896
               :
Total          :  175,236   170,037   171,374   172,616   174,221   172,509
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,966    19,167    18,926    18,282    18,451    18,056
AR             :   23,696    24,429    23,539    23,716    23,112    23,383
DE             :    4,997     5,372     5,406     6,112     4,907     4,982
FL             :    2,657     2,723     2,729     2,481     2,640     2,614
GA             :   24,564    24,564    24,347    24,053    24,180    24,024
MD             :    6,609     6,222     5,899     5,314     5,841     6,358
MS             :   15,194    15,054    15,142    14,921    14,029    14,584
NC             :   13,778    13,528    13,774    13,679    12,752    13,430
PA             :    2,645     2,632     2,573     2,817     2,740     2,763
SC             :    3,684     3,990     3,948     4,101     3,826     3,359
TX             :    9,752     9,850     9,708     9,665     9,470     9,593
VA             :    5,264     5,383     5,360     5,425     5,212     5,434
CA TN & WV     :    9,700     9,534     9,509    10,425     8,821     9,480
               :
Total          :  141,506   142,448   140,860   140,991   135,981   138,060
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                      and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Aug  2  : Aug  9  : Aug 16  : Aug 23  : Aug 30  : Sep  6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   26,097    26,033    26,088    26,264    26,021    25,698
AR             :   29,564    29,404    29,484    29,445    29,263    29,602
DE             :    4,477     4,521     4,412     4,456     4,422     4,228
FL             :    2,611     2,617     2,600     2,562     2,578     2,575
GA             :   29,781    30,512    29,543    30,478    30,359    30,376
MD             :    8,867     8,893     8,874     8,825     8,639     8,140
MS             :   16,009    16,282    17,392    17,334    16,817    17,060
NC             :   17,253    17,276    16,793    16,854    16,483    16,142
PA             :    3,804     3,699     3,762     3,724     3,760     3,657
SC             :    4,466     4,468     4,469     4,361     4,437     4,313
TX             :   12,237    12,094    12,070    12,060    12,368    12,409
VA             :    6,599     6,582     6,610     6,610     6,594     6,644
CA TN & WV     :   10,165    10,093    10,446    10,417    10,097     9,829
               :
Total          :  171,930   172,474   172,543   173,390   171,838   170,673
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,686    18,879    18,733    19,100    18,559    18,601
AR             :   23,261    24,869    23,475    23,417    23,130    23,627
DE             :    5,240     5,246     5,305     5,600     5,538     5,755
FL             :    2,558     2,808     2,495     2,614     2,632     2,595
GA             :   24,198    24,555    23,454    23,208    24,060    23,574
MD             :    6,354     6,074     6,033     5,827     5,914     5,566
MS             :   14,666    14,165    14,847    13,676    13,690    14,548
NC             :   13,235    13,407    13,196    13,153    13,081    12,963
PA             :    2,805     2,806     2,810     2,815     2,684     2,725
SC             :    3,568     3,426     4,016     3,861     4,065     3,910
TX             :    8,901     9,281     9,333     9,261     9,148     9,113
VA             :    5,298     5,162     5,019     5,200     5,266     5,382
CA TN & WV     :    9,689     9,532     9,002     9,205     9,390     9,615
               :
Total          :  138,459   140,210   137,718   136,937   137,157   137,974
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                       and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Sep 13  : Sep 20  : Sep 27  : Oct  4  : Oct 11  : Oct 18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   23,438    26,020    24,018    25,600    23,812    24,195
AR             :   28,419    28,791    27,998    29,790    28,369    27,735
DE             :    3,953     4,102     4,162     4,298     4,229     3,533
FL             :    2,513     2,550     2,362     2,719     2,796     2,880
GA             :   28,323    28,506    28,068    30,269    28,914    26,729
MD             :    7,574     8,144     8,072     8,153     8,138     7,713
MS             :   17,086    16,617    17,253    16,714    17,056    16,940
NC             :   16,050    14,834    16,083    16,375    15,969    14,714
PA             :    3,562     3,502     3,796     3,448     3,438     3,321
SC             :    4,391     4,381     4,197     4,493     4,389     4,130
TX             :   12,239    11,596    11,385    12,108    12,095    11,360
VA             :    6,111     6,251     6,468     6,672     6,271     6,147
CA TN & WV     :    9,147     8,742     9,089    10,024     9,647     9,486
               :
Total          :  162,806   164,036   162,951   170,663   165,123   158,883
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,610    18,497    18,121    17,071    18,553    16,710
AR             :   23,866    24,581    24,219    22,772    23,260    23,042
DE             :    4,870     4,692     4,900     5,000     4,634     5,429
FL             :    2,639     2,584     2,579     2,723     2,863     2,502
GA             :   24,196    24,262    24,496    22,561    22,520    22,017
MD             :    5,910     6,243     5,650     4,934     5,795     5,042
MS             :   14,174    13,881    14,354    13,982    14,104    14,697
NC             :   13,089    12,993    12,709    12,357    12,030    12,659
PA             :    2,777     2,737     2,802     2,710     2,634     2,780
SC             :    3,736     3,210     3,619     3,635     3,202     3,079
TX             :    8,957     9,231     9,498     9,332     8,818     8,740
VA             :    5,539     5,410     5,228     4,815     4,628     5,001
CA TN & WV     :    9,527     9,641     8,742     7,715     8,117     8,538
               :
Total          :  137,890   137,962   136,917   129,607   131,158   130,236
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                     and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Week Ending
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Oct 25  : Nov  1  : Nov  8  : Nov 15  : Nov 22  : Nov 29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   22,508    23,518    25,115    25,605    25,791    25,840
AR             :   26,494    28,654    28,928    29,913    29,306    29,888
DE             :    4,198     4,488     4,449     4,271     4,536     4,542
FL             :    2,642     2,425     2,939     2,917     2,930     2,992
GA             :   27,470    27,773    27,852    28,770    29,451    29,936
MD             :    7,371     8,352     8,646     8,299     8,749     8,785
MS             :   15,826    16,103    16,891    17,499    16,584    17,490
NC             :   15,964    16,130    17,158    16,696    16,795    17,097
PA             :    3,198     3,370     3,575     3,494     3,685     3,502
SC             :    4,325     4,231     4,365     4,391     4,405     4,365
TX             :   11,048    11,523    12,454    12,485    12,395    12,313
VA             :    6,391     5,467     6,617     6,523     6,492     6,427
CA TN & WV     :    9,870    10,627    10,352    11,093    10,688    11,028
               :
Total          :  157,305   162,661   169,341   171,956   171,807   174,205
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,517    16,808    17,070    15,899    17,029    18,673
AR             :   26,494    22,479    21,344    20,861    23,177    23,658
DE             :    5,841     4,440     4,868     5,019     4,864     5,084
FL             :    2,461     2,643     2,757     2,701     2,115     2,277
GA             :   23,740    23,219    21,541    21,463    22,955    22,671
MD             :    4,927     6,381     4,754     5,042     5,640     5,604
MS             :   14,255    14,324    14,184    13,619    13,366    13,980
NC             :   12,711    12,401    11,676    12,568    12,610    13,558
PA             :    2,713     2,605     2,512     2,582     2,761     2,725
SC             :    4,051     4,220     3,949     3,672     3,129     3,531
TX             :    9,163     9,304     8,634     8,403     8,818     9,494
VA             :    5,118     4,618     4,812     4,593     4,548     5,648
CA TN & WV     :    9,501     8,933     8,147     8,992     8,993     8,816
               :
Total          :  139,492   132,375   126,248   125,414   130,005   135,719
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                         and Total, 1997 (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :             Week Ending               :   52 Week Total
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Dec  6  : Dec 13  : Dec 20  : Dec 27  : 1997 1/ : 1996 2/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                            1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   25,324    25,301    24,976    25,452 1,323,716 1,266,921
AR             :   29,753    29,256    29,813    29,605 1,530,661 1,500,177
DE             :    4,429     4,141     4,623     4,339   232,330   227,295
FL             :    2,915     2,404     2,558     2,743   139,901   146,408
GA             :   29,527    30,247    30,037    30,314 1,539,238 1,479,000
MD             :    8,587     8,709     8,688     8,014   444,251   442,188
MS             :   17,233    17,145    17,385    17,358   891,776   828,341
NC             :   16,420    16,796    17,078    16,033   881,184   890,874
PA             :    3,583     3,681     3,574     3,679   188,041   176,402
SC             :    4,310     4,356     4,353     4,244   227,183   223,823
TX             :   12,391    12,323    12,247    12,386   639,044   595,830
VA             :    6,259     6,383     6,405     6,403   339,631   330,438
CA TN & WV     :   10,666    10,070     9,931     9,889   525,637   488,545
               :
Total          :  171,397   170,812   171,668   170,459 8,902,593 8,596,242
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,816    18,424    18,386    18,047   955,628   910,928
AR             :   23,794    23,251    25,501    24,700 1,236,465 1,194,826
DE             :    4,856     4,510     5,572     5,938   271,429   267,210
FL             :    2,690     2,249     2,746     2,863   136,730   133,417
GA             :   23,232    23,880    24,046    23,122 1,231,537 1,205,649
MD             :    5,776     6,534     5,557     5,310   305,753   307,632
MS             :   14,578    13,936    14,793    14,195   758,358   710,289
NC             :   13,029    13,167    13,800    12,200   688,732   701,224
PA             :    2,705     2,770     2,708     2,677   141,602   131,335
SC             :    3,580     3,210     3,489     4,156   192,594   186,205
TX             :    9,592     9,629     9,610     9,670   481,545   439,000
VA             :    5,035     5,436     5,508     4,997   270,436   266,343
CA TN & WV     :    9,269     9,624    10,329     9,648   488,250   470,912
               :
Total          :  136,952   136,620   142,045   137,523 7,159,059 6,924,970
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes weeks ending Jan 4, 1997 Through Dec 27,1997.
2/ Includes weeks ending Jan 6, 1996 through Dec 28,1996.


          Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set: 15 Selected States
                   and Total, Week Ending Jan 3, 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               : Week Ending  :               53 Week Total
      State    :------------------------------------------------------------
               : Jan  3, 1998 :                  1997 1/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                 1,000
Eggs Set       :
               :
AL             :   24,960                       1,348,676
AR             :   29,061                       1,559,722
DE             :    4,461                         236,791
FL             :    2,766                         142,667
GA             :   30,288                       1,569,526
MD             :    8,522                         452,773
MS             :   17,315                         909,091
NC             :   16,991                         898,175
PA             :    3,504                         191,545
SC             :    4,215                         231,398
TX             :   12,404                         651,448
VA             :    6,401                         346,032
CA TN & WV     :   10,887                         536,524
               : 
Total          :  171,775                       9,074,368
               :
Chicks Placed  :
               :
AL             :   18,109                        973,737
AR             :   23,804                       1,260,269
DE             :    4,960                         276,389
FL             :    2,297                         139,027
GA             :   23,867                      1,255,404
MD             :    6,186                         311,939
MS             :   14,111                        772,469
NC             :   12,856                        701,588
PA             :    2,688                        144,290
SC             :    4,760                         197,354
TX             :    9,603                         491,148
VA             :    5,142                         275,578
CA TN & WV     :    9,374                         497,624
               :
Total          :  137,757                      7,296,816
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes weeks ending Jan 4, 1997 through Jan 3,1998.  Both weeks ending 
   Saturday Jan 4, 1997 and Jan 3, 1998 have a minimum of 4 days in calendar
   year 1997, and could be included in year 1997.  Week "one" of year 1998 
   would then be the week ending Jan 10,1998.

      Intended Placements:  Broiler-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:    7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :-------------------------:  1996  :---------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997 :        :     1996   :    1997   :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :     ----- 1,000 ------        Percent       ------- 1,000 ---------
         :
US       :
 Place-  :
  ments  :
Jan      :  5,710    5,491    6,397      116       54,562      56,101     56,552
Feb      :  5,484    5,917    5,916      100       54,522      56,122     57,494
Mar      :  6,161    6,100    6,443      106       55,178      55,981     57,677
Apr      :  6,320    6,751    6,036       89       55,053      55,933     58,228
May      :  6,135    6,780    7,062      104       55,356      56,667     58,085
Jun      :  6,178    6,175    6,008       97       56,528      57,264     58,516
Jul      :  6,302    6,034    7,167      119       56,585      57,115     58,325
Aug      :  6,475    6,515    6,697      103       55,756      56,761
Sep      :  6,288    6,170    6,502      105       55,538      55,897
Oct      :  6,013    6,225    6,254      100       55,460      56,165
Nov      :  6,656    6,514    6,347       97       55,909      56,167
Dec      :  6,218    5,951    6,252      105       56,214      56,714
         :
Annual   :
 Total   : 73,940   74,623   77,081      103
         :
Total    :
 Place-  :
 ments 2/:
Jan      :  7,040    6,697    7,545      113
Feb      :  7,180    7,168    7,122       99
Mar      :  7,577    7,508    7,894      105
Apr      :  7,835    7,908    7,238       92
May      :  7,873    8,238    8,505      103
Jun      :  7,485    7,365    7,381      100
Jul      :  7,730    7,468    8,460      113
Aug      :  7,850    7,982    8,132      102
Sep      :  7,730    7,626    8,092      106
Oct      :  7,301    7,330    8,145      111
Nov      :  7,784    7,708    7,973      103
Dec      :  7,750    7,593    8,237      108
         :
Annual   :
 Total   : 91,135   90,591   94,724      105
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes 
    expected pullet placements from eggs sold during the preceding month at
    the rate of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.  
2/  U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.            
          

            Egg-Type Chicks:  Number Hatched by Month, Selected
                      States, and United States, 1996
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  State    :    Jan :   Feb  :   Mar  :   Apr  :   May  :   Jun  :   Jul  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           1,000
           :
AR         :     831    1,277      803      743    1,001      895      898
FL         :   1,019      986      963    1,202    1,367    1,339      745
GA         :   2,130    1,899    2,365    2,040    2,275    1,957    1,960
IN         :   7,280    7,364    7,505    7,768    8,196    6,502    6,371
IA         :   2,093    3,301    3,829    3,232    3,760    3,658    4,353
KS         :     340      326      178      146      265      236      213
MN         :   1,915    2,326    2,037    2,196    2,179    2,022    1,991
MO         :      47      322      427      414      414      376      382
PA         :   3,260    4,046    3,884    3,798    4,410    3,984    4,540
           :
           :
Oth Sts 1/ :  12,665   12,761   14,899   14,201   14,161   12,048   10,467
           :
US 1996    :  31,580   34,608   36,890   35,740   38,028   33,017   31,920
           :
           :---------------------------------------------------------------
           :   Aug  :   Sep  :   Oct  :   Nov  :   Dec  :    Total   
           :---------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           1,000
           :
AR         :   1,147      591      585      655      590     10,016
FL         :     979    1,281    1,536    1,110      959     13,486
GA         :   2,043    2,113    1,912    1,524    1,848     24,066
IN         :   7,505    6,849    6,886    6,643    7,090     85,959
IA         :   2,845    2,920    2,766    3,606    3,430     39,793
KS         :     343      331      201      334      174      3,087
MN         :   1,951    1,684    1,984    1,961    2,010     24,256
MO         :     382      359      351      341      352      4,167
PA         :   3,863    5,156    3,728    3,729    4,670     49,068
           :
           :
Oth Sts 1/ :  10,724   10,646   12,370   11,044   11,756    147,742
           :
US 1996    :  31,782   31,930   32,319   30,947   32,879    401,640
           :
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.
 

            Egg-Type Chicks:  Number Hatched by Month, Selected
                      States, and United States, 1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  State    :    Jan :   Feb  :   Mar  :   Apr  :   May  :   Jun  :   Jul  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           1,000
           :
AR         :     603    1,005      671      912      934      629      807
FL         :   1,078    1,039    1,289    1,391    1,372    1,190    1,128
GA         :   2,099    2,039    2,152    2,245    2,068    2,055    1,960
IN         :   7,205    7,326    7,377    7,896    7,667    7,200    6,270
IA         :   3,540    3,421    3,482    4,135    4,169    4,355    4,865
KS         :     375      173      251      350      250      308      285
MN         :   2,173    2,247    1,963    1,840    2,234    1,828    1,794
MO         :     369      387      445      402      407      398      402
PA         :   4,235    4,868    5,523    4,979    4,967    5,517    4,670
           :
           :
Oth Sts 1/ :  12,138   13,257   14,257   14,723   15,010   13,381   11,657
           :
US 1997    :  33,815   35,762   37,410   38,873   39,078   36,861   33,838
           :
US 1996    :  31,580   34,608   36,890   35,740   38,028   33,017   31,920
           :
1997 as %  :
 of 1996   :     107      103      101      109      103      112      106
           :---------------------------------------------------------------
           :   Aug  :   Sep  :   Oct  :   Nov  :   Dec  :      Total   
           :---------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           1,000
           :
AR         :     940      696      846      645      709       9,397
FL         :   1,179    1,192    1,327      835      993      14,013
GA         :   2,184    2,012    1,719    1,400    1,817      23,750
IN         :   7,141    7,437    7,048    5,529    7,513      85,609
IA         :   4,008    3,934    4,186    3,587    4,362      48,044
KS         :     142      219      232      292      379       3,256
MN         :   1,507    2,041    1,946    1,483    1,810      22,866
MO         :     400      378      372      360      372       4,692
PA         :   3,983    5,548    4,181    4,128    4,510      57,109
           :
           :
Oth Sts 1/ :  11,641   13,724   13,471    9,587   13,425     156,271
           :
US 1997    :  33,125   37,181   35,328   27,846   35,890     425,007
           :
US 1996    :  31,782   31,930   32,319   30,947   32,879     401,640
           :
1997 as %  :
 of 1996   :     104      116      109       90      109         106
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.
 

             Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  First of Month
                  by Region and United States, 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Region     :      Jan      :    Feb      :    Mar      :    Apr
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :      3,831         4,461         4,626         4,653
 E North Central :      7,830         8,044         9,167         8,668
 W North Central :      4,147         5,828         6,299         6,156
 South Atlantic  :      4,800         4,971         4,508         4,512
 South Central   :      4,046         4,289         3,655         4,788
 West            :      3,544         3,635         5,646         4,651
                 :
 US              :     28,198        31,228        33,901        33,428
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :      May      :    Jun      :    Jul      :    Aug
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :      4,634         4,614         5,743         4,824
 E North Central :      9,513         8,573         7,026         8,449
 W North Central :      6,348         6,132         6,080         4,608
 South Atlantic  :      5,105         4,783         4,003         4,092
 South Central   :      3,315         3,313         2,881         3,273
 West            :      5,041         4,806         4,153         3,141
                 :
 US              :     33,956        32,221        29,886        28,387
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :      Sep      :    Oct      :    Nov      :    Dec
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :      5,215         4,921         4,887         5,080
 E North Central :      7,541         8,394         7,690         8,471
 W North Central :      4,667         5,048         5,725         5,863
 South Atlantic  :      4,508         4,484         3,805         4,429
 South Central   :      2,481         3,201         2,290         3,002
 West            :      3,300         4,395         4,209         4,101
                 :
 US              :     27,712        30,443        28,606        30,946
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regions
 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 Eggs in Incubators:  First of Month
                              by Region and United States, 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Region     :      Jan      :    Feb      :    Mar      :    Apr
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :      4,764         5,820         5,855         5,851
 E North Central :      8,377         9,009         8,542         9,643
 W North Central :      5,570         5,694         5,522         6,049
 South Atlantic  :      4,717         4,747         4,815         5,037
 South Central   :      2,942         3,500         3,790         3,929
 West            :      4,255         4,293         5,565         4,882
                 :
 US              :     30,625        33,063        34,089        35,391
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :      May      :    Jun      :    Jul      :    Aug
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :      6,196         5,838         5,852         5,365
 E North Central :      9,928         8,458         6,855         7,406
 W North Central :      6,679         6,362         6,106         5,148
 South Atlantic  :      4,866         4,548         4,245         4,272
 South Central   :      4,026         2,987         3,590         3,153
 West            :      4,840         5,036         3,590         2,930
                 :
 US              :     36,535        33,229        30,238        28,274
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :      Sep      :    Oct      :    Nov      :    Dec
                 :------------------------------------------------------
                 :                          1,000
                 :
 North Atlantic  :      5,977         4,882         6,057         5,151
 E North Central :      8,139         8,470         7,649         9,338
 W North Central :      5,661         5,365         5,136         6,286
 South Atlantic  :      4,480         4,405         2,890         4,475
 South Central   :      3,630         3,898         2,282         3,551
 West            :      5,024         4,253         2,680         3,966
                 :
 US              :     32,911        31,273        26,694        32,767
------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Intended Placements:  Egg-type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply
               Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1995-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :                            :        :  Cumulative Potential Placements 
      :  Pullet Chicks Hatched     :  1997  : Relative  to Current Supply Flocks
Month :                            : as % of:    7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
      :----------------------------:  1996  :-----------------------------------
      :   1995  :  1996  :  1997   :        :     1996   :    1997   :    1998 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :     ----- 1,000 ------        Percent       ------- 1,000 ---------
      :
      :
Jan   :    236      219      208       95        3,108       2,953       2,823
Feb   :    251      238      222       93        3,089       2,984       2,764
Mar   :    356      317      209       66        2,943       3,007       2,863
Apr   :    317      252      316      125        2,920       2,946       3,034
May   :    193      291      273       94        2,951       2,870       3,067
Jun   :    234      282      254       90        2,835       2,956       2,986
Jul   :    235      266      207       78        2,941       2,940       2,978
Aug   :    163      186      285      153        2,924       2,929
Sep   :    292      231      402      174        2,911       2,913
Oct   :    309      233      266      114        2,872       2,805
Nov   :    124      210      129       61        2,807       2,869
Dec   :    231      215      207       96        2,905       2,851
      :
      :
      :  2,941    2,940    2,978      101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes 
    expected pullet placements from eggs sold during the preceding month at the
    rate of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.  
2/  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and additional 
    laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements.            


                           Turkey Hatchery Production                           
                          1996 and 1997 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      United States       :  East  :  West   :North & :        :       
        :--------------------------: North  :  North  : South  : South  : West  
  Month :        :         :1997 As:Central : Central :Atlantic:Central :       
        :  1996  :  1997   :Percent:--------------------------------------------
        :        :         :Of 1996:                    1997                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                  Eggs in Incubators, First of Month                   
        :
        :----- 1,000 -----  Percent ------------------- 1,000 ------------------
All     :                                                                       
Breeds  :                                                                       
Jan     :  35,618   34,111     96     4,994    10,076    11,609   3,986    3,446
Feb     :  36,343   35,683     98     4,970    10,856    11,825   4,296    3,736
Mar     :  36,184   35,035     97     5,016    10,573    11,717   3,966    3,763
Apr     :  39,242   37,214     95     5,099    11,604    12,544   3,894    4,073
May     :  37,935   36,574     96     5,319    11,058    11,898   4,150    4,149
Jun     :  38,148   36,859     97     5,021    11,534    12,308   3,951    4,045
Jul     :  37,689   38,586    102     5,153    11,484    13,017   4,021    4,911
Aug     :  36,157   34,956     97     4,885    10,716    11,523   3,974    3,858
Sep     :  32,048   30,928     97     4,454     9,058    11,374   3,355    2,687
Oct     :  32,333   31,878     99     4,587     9,306    11,715   3,728    2,542
Nov     :  31,668   30,964     98     4,682     9,298    10,332   4,013    2,639
Dec     :  33,667   32,074     95     4,408     9,677    11,323   4,058    2,608
        :                                                                       
        :                           Poults Placed 2/                            
        :
        :----- 1,000 -----  Percent ------------------- 1,000 ------------------
All     :                                                                       
Breeds  :                                                                       
Jan     :  27,391   27,121     99     3,806     7,586     9,690   3,310    2,729
Feb     :  27,596   27,145     98     3,654     8,025     9,135   3,520    2,811
Mar     :  27,935   27,610     99     3,699     8,141     9,633   3,231    2,906
Apr     :  29,742   28,220     95     3,814     8,365     9,691   3,359    2,991
May     :  29,682   29,111     98     3,978     8,688     9,749   3,496    3,200
Jun     :  27,998   28,381    101     3,651     8,802     9,609   3,274    3,045
Jul     :  28,916   30,092    104     3,893     9,104    10,005   3,320    3,770
Aug     :  27,496   26,321     96     3,426     8,069     8,769   3,162    2,895
Sep     :  24,154   23,907     99     3,250     7,077     8,646   2,722    2,212
Oct     :  25,354   24,587     97     3,511     7,292     8,629   3,130    2,025
Nov     :  23,830   23,281     98     3,245     6,955     7,761   3,178    2,142
Dec     :  27,119   25,711     95     3,307     7,904     9,030   3,366    2,104
        :                                                                       
Total   : 327,213  321,487     98    43,234    96,008   110,347  39,068   32,830
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes data for States that report monthly and annually.
2/  Regional placements refer to poults placed from hatcheries located in that  
    region, and not the actual location of the birds after placement.  Excludes 
    exported poults.



Regions
 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

     Hatchery Capacity: Chicken and Turkey Hatcheries and Egg Capacity
        by Region and United States, January 1, 1997 and 1998 1/                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :                             :         
    Geographic   :       Hatcheries            :       Egg Capacity
      Region     :------------------------------------------------------------
                 :       1997         1998     :     1997      :     1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :
                 :                     Chicken Hatcheries
                 :   -----Number-----             ---------1,000----------
                 :
                 :
 North Atlantic  :        30           29            24,814         23,888
 E North Central :        29           29            23,635         23,270
 W North Central :        40           41            44,443         44,789
 South Atlantic  :       101           97           304,108        293,325
 South Central   :       132          130           386,003        409,099
 West            :        27           26            37,947         39,025
                 :
 US              :       359          352           820,950        833,396
                 :
                 :
                 :                      Turkey Hatcheries
                 :
 N & S Atlantic  :
  Combined       :        27           27            18,914         19,877
 E North Central :         9            9             6,267          6,157
 W North Central :        21           20            14,530         14,319
 South Central   :        13           13             5,445          5,433
 West            :         9            7             6,721          5,706
                 :
 US              :        79           76            51,877         51,492
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Hatchery capacity for this data series is defined as the number of eggs
    the machines can hold in a controlled environment favorable for hatching.
    All setter, hatcher, and inactive capacity is included.


                               Index

                                                                          Page


Broiler Chicks Hatched During the Month,
 by Selected States and US, 1996-1997 ....................................   2


Broiler Chicks Placed and Eggs Set Weekly,  
 15 Selected States, October 7, 1996 to December 28, 1997 ................   8


Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators, First of Month, 
 by Region and US,  1996-1997 ............................................   6


Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks Intended for Hatchery Supply Flocks,
 U.S. Placements and Total Worldwide Placements, 1995-1997 ...............  21  


Egg-Type Chicks Hatched During the Month,
 By Selected States and US, 1996-1997 ....................................  22


Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators, First of Month,
 by Region and US, 1996-1997 .............................................  24


Egg-Type Pullet Chicks Intended for Hatchery Supply Flocks,
 U.S. Placements, 1995-1997 ..............................................  26


Hatchery Numbers and Egg Capacity by Regions and US,
 January 1, 1997 and 1997 ................................................  28


Turkey Hatchery Eggs in Incubators and Poults Placed,
 by Months, Regions and US, 1996-1997 .. .................................  27

Released April 15, 1998, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),
Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For information
on "Hatchery Production" call (202) 690-4870, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. ET. 

The next "Hatchery Production" report will be released in April 1999.

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