Chickens and Eggs

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560

ISSN: 1948-9064

Released April 21, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

March Egg Production Up 1 Percent

United States egg production totaled 8.53 billion during March 2015, up
1 percent from last year. Production included 7.42 billion table eggs, and
1.12 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.03 billion were broiler-type and 91
million were egg-type. The total number of layers during March 2015 averaged
362 million, up 1 percent from last year. March egg production per 100 layers
was 2,358 eggs, up 1 percent from March 2014.

All layers in the United States on April 1, 2015 totaled 361 million, up
slightly from last year. The 361 million layers consisted of 303 million
layers producing table or market type eggs, 54.5 million layers producing
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.53 million layers producing egg-type
hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on April 1, 2015, averaged 76.8 eggs per
100 layers, up 1 percent from April 1, 2014.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 14 Percent

Egg-type chicks hatched during March 2015 totaled 50.4 million, up 14 percent
from March 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 49.0 million on April 1, 2015, up
13 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply
flocks by leading breeders totaled 304 thousand during March 2015, up
29 percent from March 2014.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent

Broiler-type chicks hatched during March 2015 totaled 791 million, up
3 percent from March 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 646 million on April 1,
2015, up 2 percent from a year ago.

Leading breeders placed 7.18 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future
domestic hatchery supply flocks during March 2015, up 6 percent from March
2014.

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Contents

Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month – United States: 2014-2015……………………….  4

Egg Production During the Month by Type – United States: 2014-2015……………………………………  4

Average Number of Layers During the Month – United States……………………………………………  5

All Egg Production During the Month – United States…………………………………………………  5

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States: February-March 2014 and 2015………….  6

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States: March-April 2014 and 2015…………….  7

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During February 2014 and 2015………………  8

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During March 2014 and 2015…………………  9

Egg Production by Type – States and United States: February 2014 and 2015…………………………….. 10

Egg Production by Type – States and United States: March 2014 and 2015……………………………….. 11

Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month – United States: 2014-2015………………………………….. 12

Molted as Percent of All Layers – States and United States: April 1, 2014 and 2015…………………….. 12

Hatchery Production – United States: 2014 and 2015…………………………………………………. 13

Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month – Regions and United States: 2014-2015……………. 14

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2014-2015…………………………………………. 14

Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month –
United States: 2014-2015………………………………………………………………………… 15

Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month – Regions and United States: 2014-2015………… 15

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched – States and United States: March 2014 and 2015…………………………… 16

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2014-2015……………………………………… 16

Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2014-2015.. 17

Statistical Methodology…………………………………………………………………………. 18

Regional Listing……………………………………………………………………………….. 19

Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates……………………………………………….. 19

Information Contacts……………………………………………………………………………. 20

Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month – United States: 2014-2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
——————————————————————————————
Month            :            2014             :            2015
——————————————————————————————
:                       1,000 layers
:
December 1/ ………………:           360,673                       365,691
January ………………….:           359,556                       363,732
February …………………:           358,967                       362,338
March ……………………:           359,955                       361,830
April ……………………:           360,826
May ……………………..:           360,383
June …………………….:           359,729
July …………………….:           360,787
August …………………..:           361,731
September ………………..:           361,813
October ………………….:           362,034
November …………………:           364,017
——————————————————————————————
1/ December preceding year.

Egg Production During the Month by Type – United States: 2014-2015
[Totals may not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period
has not yet begun]
———————————————————————————
:     Total eggs      :     Table eggs      :    Hatching eggs
Month     :—————————————————————–
:   2014   :   2015   :   2014   :   2015   :   2014   :   2015
———————————————————————————
:                          million eggs
:
December 1/ …:   8,489     8,731       7,422     7,633       1,068     1,098
January …….:   8,397     8,540       7,321     7,428       1,077     1,112
February ……:   7,551     7,620       6,579     6,615         972     1,006
March ………:   8,430     8,533       7,354     7,417       1,077     1,116
April ………:   8,205                 7,160                 1,045
May ………..:   8,428                 7,336                 1,094
June ……….:   8,151                 7,091                 1,060
July ……….:   8,503                 7,404                 1,100
August ……..:   8,491                 7,394                 1,098
September …..:   8,186                 7,126                 1,060
October …….:   8,526                 7,433                 1,094
November ……:   8,411                 7,353                 1,058
During year …:  99,768                86,971                12,803
———————————————————————————
1/ December preceding year.

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States:
February-March 2014 and 2015
[Totals may not add due to rounding]
——————————————————————————————
:           :           :  2015 as
Item                         :   2014    :   2015    :  percent
:           :           :  of 2014
——————————————————————————————
:
Layers during February                                :
All layers ………………………………1,000:  358,967     362,338       101
Table egg type …………………………1,000:  302,666     304,843       101
Hatching egg type ………………………1,000:   56,301      57,495       102
Broiler-type hatching …………………1,000:   52,990      53,929       102
Egg-type hatching …………………….1,000:    3,311       3,566       108
:
Eggs per 100 layers during February                   :
All layers ……………………………..number:    2,104       2,103       100
Table egg type ………………………..number:    2,174       2,170       100
Hatching egg type ……………………..number:    1,726       1,750       101
Broiler-type hatching ………………..number:    1,695       1,717       101
Egg-type hatching ……………………number:    2,235       2,243       100
:
Eggs produced during February                         :
All layers …………………………….million:    7,551       7,620       101
Table egg type ……………………….million:    6,579       6,615       101
Hatching egg type …………………….million:      972       1,006       103
Broiler-type hatching ……………….million:      898         926       103
Egg-type hatching …………………..million:       74          80       108
:
Layers on March 1                                     :
All layers ………………………………1,000:  359,078     362,525       101
Table egg type …………………………1,000:  303,008     305,059       101
Hatching egg type ………………………1,000:   56,070      57,466       102
Broiler-type hatching …………………1,000:   52,823      53,905       102
Egg-type hatching …………………….1,000:    3,247       3,561       110
:
Eggs per 100 layers on March 1                        :
All layers ……………………………..number:     75.3        75.2       100
Table egg type ………………………..number:     77.8        77.7       100
Hatching egg type ……………………..number:     61.9        62.3       101
Broiler-type hatching ………………..number:     60.7        61.0       100
Egg-type hatching ……………………number:     81.6        81.9       100
:
Molted layers on March 1                              :
Being molted …………………………..percent:      2.4         1.9        79
Molt completed …………………………percent:     18.0        18.9       105
:
Layers sold for slaughter during February …….1,000:   15,877      15,184        96
:
Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted           :
or disappeared for any reason during February ..1,000:    8,244       5,781        70
:
Pullets on March 1 …………………………1,000:  107,660     109,252       101
:
Pullets added during February 1/ …………….1,000:   24,543      23,705        97
——————————————————————————————
1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks.

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States:
March-April 2014 and 2015
[Totals may not add due to rounding]
—————————————————————————————–
:           :           :  2015 as
Item                        :   2014    :   2015    :  percent
:           :           :  of 2014
—————————————————————————————–
:
Layers during March                                  :
All layers ……………………………..1,000:  359,955     361,830       101
Table egg type ………………………..1,000:  303,711     304,073       100
Hatching egg type ……………………..1,000:   56,244      57,757       103
Broiler-type hatching ………………..1,000:   53,005      54,208       102
Egg-type hatching ……………………1,000:    3,239       3,549       110
:
Eggs per 100 layers during March                     :
All layers …………………………….number:    2,342       2,358       101
Table egg type ……………………….number:    2,421       2,439       101
Hatching egg type …………………….number:    1,915       1,932       101
Broiler-type hatching ……………….number:    1,877       1,891       101
Egg-type hatching …………………..number:    2,532       2,564       101
:
Eggs produced during March                           :
All layers ……………………………million:    8,430       8,533       101
Table egg type ………………………million:    7,354       7,417       101
Hatching egg type ……………………million:    1,077       1,116       104
Broiler-type hatching ………………million:      995       1,025       103
Egg-type hatching ………………….million:       82          91       111
:
Layers on April 1                                    :
All layers ……………………………..1,000:  360,800     361,115       100
Table egg type ………………………..1,000:  304,398     303,076       100
Hatching egg type ……………………..1,000:   56,402      58,039       103
Broiler-type hatching ………………..1,000:   53,174      54,505       103
Egg-type hatching ……………………1,000:    3,228       3,534       109
:
Eggs per 100 layers on April 1                       :
All layers …………………………….number:     75.7        76.8       101
Table egg type ……………………….number:     78.4        79.6       102
Hatching egg type …………………….number:     61.1        62.3       102
Broiler-type hatching ……………….number:     59.9        60.9       102
Egg-type hatching …………………..number:     80.9        83.5       103
:
Molted layers on April 1                             :
Being molted ………………………….percent:      1.9         2.0       105
Molt completed ………………………..percent:     17.9        17.9       100
:
Layers sold for slaughter during March ………1,000:   13,410      17,636       132
:
Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted          :
or disappeared for any reason during March ….1,000:    7,895       7,866       100
:
Pullets on April 1 ………………………..1,000:  107,290     109,296       102
:
Pullets added during March 1/ ………………1,000:   24,201      25,125       104
—————————————————————————————–
1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks.

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During
February 2014 and 2015
—————————————————————————————-
:  Table egg layers in  :                       :   Eggs per 100 for
:flocks 30,000 and above:      All layers       :      all layers
State     :———————————————————————–
:   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015
—————————————————————————————-
:  ————— 1,000 layers ————–      —— eggs —–
:
Alabama ……..:    1,502       1,475       9,292       9,208      1,722       1,759
Arkansas …….:    3,672       3,814      11,873      12,715      1,845       1,880
California …..:   16,261      12,835      16,691      13,329      2,127       2,153
Colorado …….:    4,472       3,830       4,847       4,203      2,269       2,284
Connecticut ….:    2,242       2,242       2,336       2,335      2,055       2,056
Florida ……..:    8,193       8,681       8,578       9,061      2,133       2,086
Georgia ……..:    9,289       9,857      18,200      18,744      1,978       1,953
Illinois …….:    4,423       4,210       4,894       4,663      2,166       2,230
Indiana ……..:   26,491      25,744      27,434      26,616      2,183       2,006
Iowa ………..:   57,728      58,330      58,918      59,562      2,086       2,147
:
Maine ……….:    3,503       3,503       3,558       3,558      2,192       2,192
Maryland …….:    2,546       2,629       2,709       2,795      2,178       2,182
Michigan …….:   12,724      12,894      12,962      13,147      2,245       2,236
Minnesota ……:   10,129      11,369      10,552      11,825      2,170       2,190
Mississippi ….:    1,530       1,564       5,801       5,755      1,862       1,877
Missouri …….:    6,248       6,526       8,556       8,776      2,069       2,097
Nebraska …….:    9,318       9,446       9,426       9,554      2,313       2,303
New York …….:    4,608       4,710       4,964       5,069      2,256       2,249
North Carolina .:    5,727       6,654      13,075      14,420      1,973       1,928
Ohio ………..:   28,948      29,936      29,800      30,798      2,211       2,175
:
Oregon ………:    2,127       2,253       2,266       2,392      2,295       2,383
Pennsylvania …:   23,842      23,657      25,777      25,768      2,254       2,301
South Carolina .:    3,024       3,173       4,260       4,456      1,995       2,065
South Dakota …:    2,517       2,545       2,659       2,687      2,181       2,121
Texas ……….:   14,786      14,759      18,916      19,004      2,072       1,989
Utah ………..:    3,897       4,179       3,935       4,217      2,135       2,205
Virginia …….:      990       1,167       2,775       2,924      1,910       1,984
Washington …..:    6,662       7,056       6,827       7,221      2,109       2,160
Wisconsin ……:    4,274       4,586       5,048       5,366      2,080       2,199
:
Other States 1/ :   13,008      13,138      22,038      22,170      1,992       2,021
:
United States ..:  294,681     296,762     358,967     362,338      2,104       2,103
—————————————————————————————-
1/ Includes data for States not published in this table.

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During March 2014 and 2015
—————————————————————————————-
:  Table egg layers in  :                       :   Eggs per 100 for
:flocks 30,000 and above:      All layers       :      all layers
State     :———————————————————————–
:   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015
—————————————————————————————-
:  ————— 1,000 layers ————–      —— eggs —–
:
Alabama ……..:    1,465       1,465       9,273       9,278      1,920       1,951
Arkansas …….:    3,622       3,756      11,858      12,730      2,066       2,113
California …..:   16,402      12,718      16,832      13,212      2,412       2,422
Colorado …….:    4,497       3,926       4,871       4,338      2,546       2,444
Connecticut ….:    2,272       2,272       2,366       2,365      2,367       2,368
Florida ……..:    8,181       8,755       8,548       9,148      2,422       2,405
Georgia ……..:    9,585       9,875      18,395      18,813      2,196       2,158
Illinois …….:    4,547       4,373       5,015       4,820      2,413       2,344
Indiana ……..:   26,473      25,416      27,392      26,327      2,461       2,355
Iowa ………..:   58,048      58,226      59,210      59,466      2,300       2,376
:
Maine ……….:    3,496       3,496       3,551       3,551      2,450       2,450
Maryland …….:    2,569       2,444       2,742       2,608      2,407       2,454
Michigan …….:   13,044      12,255      13,282      12,508      2,582       2,542
Minnesota ……:   10,194      11,322      10,616      11,777      2,383       2,462
Mississippi ….:    1,530       1,542       5,848       5,749      2,052       2,122
Missouri …….:    6,402       6,590       8,675       8,828      2,282       2,390
Nebraska …….:    9,288       9,436       9,396       9,544      2,522       2,525
New York …….:    4,593       4,672       4,949       5,036      2,526       2,542
North Carolina .:    5,627       6,754      13,032      14,509      2,149       2,164
Ohio ………..:   29,224      30,275      30,085      31,137      2,463       2,438
:
Oregon ………:    2,168       2,305       2,307       2,444      2,514       2,660
Pennsylvania …:   23,458      23,617      25,373      25,671      2,503       2,598
South Carolina .:    2,968       3,165       4,210       4,466      2,185       2,284
South Dakota …:    2,503       2,547       2,645       2,689      2,457       2,492
Texas ……….:   14,696      14,803      18,811      19,008      2,328       2,278
Utah ………..:    3,947       4,115       3,985       4,153      2,334       2,408
Virginia …….:    1,098       1,183       2,920       3,041      2,123       2,039
Washington …..:    6,594       6,994       6,759       7,158      2,397       2,445
Wisconsin ……:    4,223       4,575       4,997       5,356      2,241       2,409
:
Other States 1/ :   12,994      13,120      22,012      22,100      2,208       2,240
:
United States ..:  295,708     295,992     359,955     361,830      2,342       2,358
—————————————————————————————-
1/ Includes data for States not published in this table.

Egg Production by Type – States and United States: February 2014 and 2015
[Totals may not add due to rounding. Data by type of flock not shown for some States to
avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals]
—————————————————————————————–
:   Total production    :      Table eggs       :     Hatching eggs
State      :———————————————————————–
:   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015
—————————————————————————————–
:                             million eggs
:
Alabama ………:     160         162          32          33        128          129
Arkansas ……..:     219         239          80          87        139          152
California ……:     355         287         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Colorado ……..:     110          96         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Connecticut …..:      48          48         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Florida ………:     183         189         179         185          4            4
Georgia ………:     360         366         206         211        154          155
Illinois ……..:     106         104         102         100          4            4
Indiana ………:     599         534         583         519         16           15
Iowa …………:   1,229       1,279       1,213       1,262         16           17
:
Maine ………..:      78          78         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Maryland ……..:      59          61          58          60          1            1
Michigan ……..:     291         294         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Minnesota …….:     229         259         224         253          5            6
Mississippi …..:     108         108          34          35         74           73
Missouri ……..:     177         184         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Nebraska ……..:     218         220         218         220          –            –
New York ……..:     112         114         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
North Carolina ..:     258         278         134         148        124          130
Ohio …………:     659         670         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
:
Oregon ……….:      52          57          52          57          –            –
Pennsylvania ….:     581         593         556         565         25           28
South Carolina ..:      85          92          67          71         18           21
South Dakota ….:      58          57          58          57          –            –
Texas ………..:     392         378         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Utah …………:      84          93          84          93          –            –
Virginia ……..:      53          58          24          29         29           29
Washington ……:     144         156         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
Wisconsin …….:     105         118         (D)         (D)        (D)          (D)
:
Other States 1/ .:     439         448         317         324        122          125
:
United States …:   7,551       7,620       6,579       6,615        972        1,006
—————————————————————————————–
–   Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.

Egg Production by Type – States and United States: March 2014 and 2015
[Totals may not add due to rounding. Data by type of flock not shown for some States to
avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals]
—————————————————————————————–
:   Total production    :      Table eggs       :     Hatching eggs
State      :———————————————————————–
:   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015
—————————————————————————————–
:                             million eggs
:
Alabama ………:     178         181          38          37         140         144
Arkansas ……..:     245         269          91          99         154         170
California ……:     406         320         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Colorado ……..:     124         106         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Connecticut …..:      56          56         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Florida ………:     207         220         202         216           5           4
Georgia ………:     404         406         236         235         168         171
Illinois ……..:     121         113         116         109           5           4
Indiana ………:     674         620         657         602          17          18
Iowa …………:   1,362       1,413       1,345       1,394          17          19
:
Maine ………..:      87          87         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Maryland ……..:      66          64          65          63           1           1
Michigan ……..:     343         318         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Minnesota …….:     253         290         247         284           6           6
Mississippi …..:     120         122          38          41          82          81
Missouri ……..:     198         211         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Nebraska ……..:     237         241         237         241           –           –
New York ……..:     125         128         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
North Carolina ..:     280         314         143         170         137         144
Ohio …………:     741         759         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
:
Oregon ……….:      58          65          58          65           –           –
Pennsylvania ….:     635         667         607         636          28          31
South Carolina ..:      92         102          71          78          21          24
South Dakota ….:      65          67          65          67           –           –
Texas ………..:     438         433         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Utah …………:      93         100          93         100           –           –
Virginia ……..:      62          62          30          29          32          33
Washington ……:     162         175         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
Wisconsin …….:     112         129         (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
:
Other States 1/ .:     486         495         351         360         136         135
:
United States …:   8,430       8,533       7,354       7,417       1,077       1,116
—————————————————————————————–
–   Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.

Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month – United States: 2014-2015
[As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not
yet begun]
—————————————————————————————-
:         Being molted          :        Molt completed
Month         :—————————————————————
:     2014      :     2015      :     2014      :     2015
—————————————————————————————-
:                            percent
:
January …………….:      2.7             2.1            18.2            18.1
February ……………:      2.8             3.3            18.0            17.9
March ………………:      2.4             1.9            18.0            18.9
April ………………:      1.9             2.0            17.9            17.9
May ………………..:      2.8                            17.7
June ……………….:      3.0                            17.2
July ……………….:      2.6                            18.0
August ……………..:      3.3                            18.0
September …………..:      2.9                            18.9
October …………….:      3.3                            19.3
November ……………:      2.0                            19.9
December ……………:      1.3                            19.3
—————————————————————————————-

Molted as Percent of All Layers – States and United States: April 1, 2014 and 2015
[As of the first of the month]
—————————————————————————————-
:         Being molted          :        Molt completed
State         :—————————————————————
:     2014      :     2015      :     2014      :     2015
—————————————————————————————-
:                            percent
:
Alabama …………….:      0.5             0.5             4.0             7.5
Arkansas ……………:      1.0             1.0            11.0            15.5
California ………….:      3.5             1.0            27.5            32.0
Colorado ……………:      2.0               –            15.5            13.0
Connecticut …………:      8.0             8.0            16.5            16.5
Florida …………….:      1.0               –            29.0            46.0
Georgia …………….:      1.0               –            15.5            19.0
Illinois ……………:      4.0             1.5            14.0             9.0
Indiana …………….:      1.0             1.5            24.0            25.5
Iowa ……………….:      4.0             5.5            25.0            22.5
:
Maine ………………:        –               –               –               –
Maryland ……………:        –               –             3.5               –
Michigan ……………:      1.5               –             8.5            11.0
Minnesota …………..:      3.0             3.0            17.5            17.5
Mississippi …………:      1.5               –             9.0            15.5
Missouri ……………:        –               –            21.5            17.0
Nebraska ……………:        –               –             3.0             1.5
New York ……………:        –               –             6.0             0.5
North Carolina ………:      0.5             0.5            13.0            13.5
Ohio ……………….:      2.5             1.5            23.0            20.0
:
Oregon ……………..:        –             6.5            14.5            15.0
Pennsylvania ………..:      0.5               –             8.0             1.5
South Carolina ………:        –               –            10.5             9.5
South Dakota ………..:      6.5             6.5            15.0             7.5
Texas ………………:      0.5             1.5            25.0            34.5
Utah ……………….:      5.5             4.5            31.0            29.0
Virginia ……………:        –               –            10.5            15.0
Washington ………….:      4.0             6.0            21.0            21.0
Wisconsin …………..:        –             9.0            22.0            19.5
:
Other States 1/ ……..:      2.2             1.2            13.5            10.6
:
United States ……….:      1.9             2.0            17.9            17.9
—————————————————————————————-
–  Represents zero.
1/ Includes data for States not published in this table.

Hatchery Production – United States: 2014 and 2015
———————————————————————————————————
:              :              :   2015 as
Item                            :     2014     :     2015     :   percent
:              :              :   of 2014
———————————————————————————————————
:  ——— 1,000 ——–       percent
:
Egg-type                                                    :
Eggs in incubators on April 1 ……………………….:     43,197         48,973         113
Chicks hatched during March …………………………:     44,233         50,405         114
Chicks hatched January through March …………………:    129,677        137,670         106
:
Pullets hatched during March for intended placements:     :
Hatchery supply flocks …………………………….:        235            304         129
Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..:      2,716          2,863         105
:
Broiler-type                                                :
Eggs in incubators on April 1 ……………………….:    630,959        645,858         102
Chicks hatched during March …………………………:    771,618        791,085         103
Chicks hatched January through March …………………:  2,238,720      2,294,484         102
:
Pullets hatched during March for intended placements:     :
Hatchery supply flocks …………………………….:      6,790          7,175         106
Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..:     61,214         62,220         102
———————————————————————————————————
1/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched September 2013 through August 2014.
2/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched December 2013 through August 2014.

Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month – Regions and United States: 2014-2015
[See regional listing on page 19]
————————————————————————————————————–
:           March 1           :   2015 as    :           April 1           :   2015 as
Region       :—————————–:   percent    :—————————–:   percent
:     2014     :     2015     :   of 2014    :     2014     :     2015     :   of 2014
————————————————————————————————————–
:  1,000 eggs     1,000 eggs      percent       1,000 eggs     1,000 eggs      percent
:
North Atlantic …..:     5,311          6,547          123            5,055          7,205          143
East North Central .:     9,192         10,610          115           10,139         10,709          106
West North Central .:     9,075         11,250          124           10,522         13,066          124
South Atlantic …..:     4,031          4,049          100            4,628          4,638          100
South Central ……:     5,808          5,862          101            6,016          6,232          104
West ……………:     5,992          7,746          129            6,837          7,123          104
:
United States ……:    39,409         46,064          117           43,197         48,973          113
————————————————————————————————————–

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2014-2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
————————————————————————————————-
:               By months                :               Cumulative
:———————————————————————————
Month     :            :            :   2015 as    :            :            :   2015 as
:    2014    :    2015    :   percent    :    2014    :    2015    :   percent
:            :            :   of 2014    :            :            :   of 2014
————————————————————————————————-
:   — 1,000 chicks —       percent       — 1,000 chicks —       percent
:
January …….:   44,458       44,174          99          44,458       44,174          99
February ……:   40,986       43,091         105          85,444       87,265         102
March ………:   44,233       50,405         114         129,677      137,670         106
April ………:   45,703                                  175,380
May ………..:   49,146                                  224,526
June ……….:   44,006                                  268,532
July ……….:   42,297                                  310,829
August ……..:   39,803                                  350,632
September …..:   43,722                                  394,354
October …….:   44,468                                  438,822
November ……:   36,544                                  475,366
December ……:   42,980                                  518,346
————————————————————————————————-

Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month –
United States: 2014-2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
———————————————————————————————————
:                             :              :  Cumulative potential placements
:    Pullet chicks hatched    :   2015 as    :    relative to current supply
Month         :                             :   percent    :   flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/
:—————————–:   of 2014    :———————————–
:     2014     :     2015     :              :      2014       :      2015
———————————————————————————————————
:    — 1,000 chicks —          percent           —– 1,000 chicks —-
:
January …………….:      270           270            100             2,714             2,947
February ……………:      243           309            127             2,710             2,955
March ………………:      235           304            129             2,716             2,863
April ………………:      243                                          2,780             2,987
May ………………..:      224                                          2,744             3,206
June ……………….:      172                                          2,680             3,178
July ……………….:      275                                          2,866             3,074
August ……………..:      251                                          2,786             3,074
September …………..:      394                                          2,805             3,140
October …………….:      369                                          2,868             3,209
November ……………:      150                                          2,878
December ……………:      248                                          2,927
:
Total ………………:    3,074
———————————————————————————————————
1/ For March 2015, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 2013 through August 2014. 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 on the First of the Month – Regions and United States: 2014-2015
[See regional listing on page 19]
————————————————————————————————————–
:           March 1           :   2015 as    :           April 1           :   2015 as
Region       :—————————–:   percent    :—————————–:   percent
:     2014     :     2015     :   of 2014    :     2014     :     2015     :   of 2014
————————————————————————————————————–
:  1,000 eggs     1,000 eggs      percent       1,000 eggs     1,000 eggs      percent
:
North Atlantic …..:    13,358         14,368          108           13,930         14,128          101
East North Central .:    13,895         14,177          102           14,000         14,312          102
West North Central .:    30,873         29,869           97           30,362         30,262          100
South Atlantic …..:   243,143        246,995          102          244,732        248,624          102
South Central ……:   307,645        318,109          103          307,703        315,271          102
West ……………:    21,418         23,983          112           20,232         23,261          115
:
United States ……:   630,332        647,501          103          630,959        645,858          102
————————————————————————————————————–

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched – States and United States: March 2014 and 2015
—————————————————————————————————————-
:              During March              :             January-March
:———————————————————————————
State            :            :            :   2015 as    :            :            :   2015 as
:    2014    :    2015    :   percent    :    2014    :    2015    :   percent
:            :            :   of 2014    :            :            :   of 2014
—————————————————————————————————————-
:  — 1,000 chicks —       percent      —- 1,000 chicks —-      percent
:
Alabama ………………….:  104,730      108,391         103          303,615      311,765        103
Arkansas …………………:   75,638       79,865         106          221,756      232,032        105
Delaware …………………:   16,412       17,779         108           47,538       50,722        107
Florida ………………….:    4,419        3,973          90           12,975       12,306         95
Georgia ………………….:  122,507      121,253          99          357,179      360,164        101
Kentucky …………………:   27,449       28,123         102           80,684       83,061        103
Louisiana ………………..:   14,450       14,217          98           41,703       41,313         99
Maryland …………………:   28,081       28,499         101           79,758       82,941        104
Mississippi ………………:   65,833       66,431         101          189,774      192,822        102
Missouri …………………:   31,556       29,719          94           91,237       87,606         96
:
North Carolina ……………:   74,639       77,522         104          215,457      223,140        104
Oklahoma …………………:   24,185       23,862          99           71,309       68,165         96
Pennsylvania ……………..:   15,426       16,520         107           45,888       46,805        102
South Carolina ……………:   17,384       19,652         113           51,090       56,185        110
Texas ……………………:   53,584       56,515         105          154,769      162,452        105
Virginia …………………:   24,222       24,590         102           69,061       70,498        102
California, Tennessee,        :
and West Virginia ………..:   41,840       44,954         107          120,414      127,343        106
:
19 States 1/ ……………..:  742,355      761,865         103        2,154,207    2,209,320        103
:
Other States 2/ …………..:   29,263       29,220         100           84,513       85,164        101
:
United States …………….:  771,618      791,085         103        2,238,720    2,294,484        102
—————————————————————————————————————-
1/ States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program.
2/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2014-2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
————————————————————————————————-
:               By months                :               Cumulative
:———————————————————————————
Month     :            :            :   2015 as    :            :            :   2015 as
:    2014    :    2015    :   percent    :    2014    :    2015    :   percent
:            :            :   of 2014    :            :            :   of 2014
————————————————————————————————-
:  — 1,000 chicks —       percent      —- 1,000 chicks —-      percent
:
January …….:  772,825      792,176         103          772,825      792,176        103
February ……:  694,277      711,223         102        1,467,102    1,503,399        102
March ………:  771,618      791,085         103        2,238,720    2,294,484        102
April ………:  750,447                                 2,989,167
May ………..:  783,136                                 3,772,303
June ……….:  764,412                                 4,536,715
July ……….:  785,896                                 5,322,611
August ……..:  789,582                                 6,112,193
September …..:  757,650                                 6,869,843
October …….:  762,311                                 7,632,154
November ……:  732,978                                 8,365,132
December ……:  795,846                                 9,160,978
————————————————————————————————-

Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2014-2015
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
————————————————————————————————————
:                             :              :  Cumulative potential placements
:    Pullet chicks hatched    :   2015 as    :    relative to current supply
Month           :                             :   percent    :   flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/
:—————————–:   of 2014    :———————————–
:     2014     :     2015     :              :      2014       :      2015
————————————————————————————————————
:   —- 1,000 chicks —         percent          —– 1,000 chicks —–
:
United States placements ..:
January ……………..:     6,470         6,959           108            60,546            62,018
February …………….:     7,239         7,921           109            60,850            61,999
March ……………….:     6,790         7,175           106            61,214            62,220
April ……………….:     6,710                                        61,457            62,804
May …………………:     7,600                                        61,385            63,157
June ………………..:     7,094                                        61,444            63,509
July ………………..:     6,212                                        61,524            63,514
August ………………:     7,436                                        61,772            63,763
September ……………:     7,253                                        61,446            64,084
October ……………..:     6,823                                        61,225            64,165
November …………….:     7,591                                        61,366
December …………….:     6,795                                        61,835
:
Annual total …………..:    84,013
:
Total placements 2/ …….:
January ……………..:     8,077         8,382           104
February …………….:     9,068         9,546           105
March ……………….:     8,702         8,891           102
April ……………….:     8,122
May …………………:     9,470
June ………………..:     9,021
July ………………..:     7,916
August ………………:     9,413
September ……………:     9,228
October ……………..:     8,288
November …………….:     9,540
December …………….:     8,649
:
Annual total …………..:   105,494
————————————————————————————————————
1/ For March 2015, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched December 2013 through August 2014.
2/ United States production of intended placements worldwide.

Statistical Methodology

Survey Procedures: 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 at least 30,000 table egg layers, flocks of
hatchery supply layers, or pullet only operations with at least 500 pullets.
Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated
each month based on data reported in December. Approximately 500 contractors,
independent egg producers, and pullet only operations are contacted each
month. Data for broiler hatchery estimates are collected weekly from all
broiler-type hatcheries that hatch at least one million chicks a year. Data
for egg-type hatchery estimates are collected monthly from all egg-type
hatcheries that hatch at least 50,000 chicks a year.

Estimating Procedures: Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive
estimates from the reported data. All data are analyzed for unusual values.
Data from each operation are compared to their own past operating profile and
to trends from similar operations. Data for missing operations are estimated
based on similar operations or historical data. NASS field offices prepare
these estimates by using a combination of survey indications and historic
trends. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural
Statistics Board for reasonableness. Individual hatchery data are summed to
State, regional, and United States totals.

For chicken hatcheries, chicks hatched consist of all chicks of domesticated
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and
research purposes. Eggs set are eggs in incubators for the purpose of
hatching. The relationship of egg-type chicks hatched to chicken inventory
and poultry marketings are 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. Broiler chicks placed are specifically for meat
production. 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 supply layer flocks
several months before the pullets will actually move into the laying flocks.
“Hatchery Supply Flocks” include all generations of layers which could lay
eggs to supply a hatchery. This includes the generations of parents,
grandparents, great-grandparents, pedigree, etc. Also included are research
flocks, vaccine flocks, and specific pathogen-free flocks. The broiler
cumulative potential placements are a moving total of the intended placements
7-15 months earlier. The egg-type cumulative potential placements of 7-18
months earlier represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional
laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements of egg-type
hatching flocks.

Revision Policy: The previous month’s estimates are subject to revision if
late reports or corrected data indicates a different level. Additionally,
revisions after the monthly report will be made at the end of the marketing
year and published in the annual reports of Chickens and Eggs Summary and
Hatchery Production Summary. Estimates will also be reviewed for chickens and
eggs after data from the 5-year Census of Agriculture are available. No
revisions will be made after that date.

Reliability: Estimates are based on a census of all known contractors and
independent producers who have at least 30,000 table egg layers, flocks of
hatchery supply layers, pullet only operations with at least 500 pullets, or
operating hatcheries and therefore, have no sampling error. However,
estimates are subject to errors such as omission, duplication, and mistakes
in reporting, recording, and processing the data. While these errors cannot
be measured directly, they are minimized through strict quality controls in
the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for
consistency and reasonableness.

To assist in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the
“Root Mean Square Error” is shown for selected items in the following table.
The “Root Mean Square Error” is a statistical measure based on past
performance and is computed using the differences between first and final
estimates. The “Root Mean Square Error” for all layers over the past 24
months is 2.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final
estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 362 million
layers by more than 2.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference
will not exceed 3.8 percent.

Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates
[Based on data for the past twenty-four months]
————————————————————————————————————————–
:  Root mean   :  90 percent  :        Difference between first and latest estimate
: square error :  confidence  :         :         :         :               :
:              :    level     :————————————————————-
Item             :              :              :         :         :         :            Months
:              :              :         :         :         :——————————-
:              :              : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest  : Above latest
————————————————————————————————————————–
:   percent        percent       ——— 1,000 ———         —– number —–
:
All layers ……………….:     2.2            3.8         7,217      37      10,344         23               1
:
:                                  ——- million ——-
:
Eggs …………………….:     2.3            3.9           174       1         271         23               1
————————————————————————————————————————–

Egg-Type Regional Listing

North Atlantic:     Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania.
East North Central:    Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin.
West North Central:    Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri.
South Atlantic:     Florida, Georgia, Virginia.
South Central:     Alabama, Mississippi, Texas.
West:     California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon.

Broiler-Type Regional Listing

North Atlantic:     New York, Pennsylvania.
East North Central:    Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin.
West North Central:    Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri.
South Atlantic:     Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
South Central:     Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas.
West:     California, Oregon, Washington.

Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates

All Layers includes both table egg and hatching egg flocks regardless of
size.

Intended Placements are 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 case of 30 dozen eggs.

Molted Layers is the same data series as the previously published Forced Molt
Layers. Nomenclature changed as of January 2015.

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries
may be sent to [email protected]

Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ………………………………. (202) 720-3570

Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section ………….. (202) 720-4447
Alissa Cowell-Mytar – Cold Storage ………………………………. (202) 720-4751
Heidi Gleich – Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery …………………. (202) 720-0585
Michael Klamm – Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ….. (202) 690-3237
Tom Kruchten – Census of Aquaculture …………………………….. (202) 690-4870
Kim Linonis – Layers, Eggs ……………………………………… (202) 690-8632
Sammy Neal – Catfish Production, Egg Products, Mink, Trout Production .. (202) 720-3244
Joshua O’Rear – Honey ………………………………………….. (202) 690-3676

Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following
ways:

All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web
site: http://www.nass.usda.gov

Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-
mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit
http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Follow NASS” box under “Receive
reports by Email,” click on “National” or “State” to select the reports
you would like to receive.

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural
Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail:
[email protected].

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against
its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion,
reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial
or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s
income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic
information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded
by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs
and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination,
complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online
at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA
office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a
letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your
completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at
[email protected].

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