Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released March 23, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). February Egg Production Up 5 Percent United States egg production totaled 8.36 billion during February 2026, up 5 percent from last year. Production included 7.17 billion table eggs, and 1.19 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.08 billion were broiler-type and 112 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during February 2026 totaled 379 million, up 5 percent from last year. February egg production per 100 layers was 2,208 eggs, down slightly from February 2025. Total layers in the United States on March 1, 2026 totaled 382 million, up 7 percent from last year. The 382 million layers consisted of 316 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 60.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 4.84 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2026, averaged 79.1 eggs per 100 layers, down 1 percent from March 1, 2025. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 5 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during February 2026 totaled 54.3 million, down 5 percent from February 2025. Eggs in incubators totaled 57.3 million on March 1, 2026, down 1 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 277 thousand during February 2026, up 23 percent from February 2025. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during February 2026 totaled 798 million, up 2 percent from February 2025. Eggs in incubators totaled 763 million on March 1, 2026, up 2 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 9.06 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 2026, up 10 percent from February 2025. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Average Layers During the Month - United States: 2025-2026.................................................. 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2025-2026.......................................... 4 Egg Production During the Month in Dozens by Type - United States: 2025-2026................................ 4 Average Layers During the Month - United States............................................................. 5 Total Egg Production During the Month - United States....................................................... 5 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: December-January 2024-2026............... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: February-March 2025 and 2026............. 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2025 and 2026................... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2025 and 2026.................. 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2025 and 2026.................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2025 and 2026................................... 11 Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: January 2025 and 2026.......................... 12 Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: February 2025 and 2026......................... 13 Total Layers Molted First Day of the Month by Month - United States: 2025-2026.............................. 14 Total Layers Molted First Day of the Month - States and United States: February 1 and March 1, 2025-2026.... 14 Hatchery Production - United States: 2025 and 2026.......................................................... 15 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - United States: 2025-2026............................ 16 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2025-2026................................................. 16 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total - United States: 2025-2026.................................................................................... 17 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - United States: 2025-2026........................ 17 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: February 2025 and 2026.............................. 18 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2025-2026............................................. 18 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2025-2026.. 19 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates........................................................ 19 Statistical Methodology..................................................................................... 20 Information Contacts........................................................................................ 21 Average Layers During the Month - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2025 : 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 377,694 373,264 January ......................: 369,507 375,661 February .....................: 360,746 378,559 March ........................: 356,956 April ........................: 358,756 May ..........................: 359,620 June .........................: 360,651 July .........................: 363,669 August .......................: 366,028 September ....................: 368,338 October ......................: 369,524 November .....................: 370,049 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December previous year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 9,226.7 9,160.1 7,941.9 7,858.6 1,284.8 1,301.5 January .......: 9,005.4 9,204.8 7,709.1 7,891.0 1,296.3 1,313.8 February ......: 7,993.5 8,356.7 6,823.0 7,167.7 1,170.5 1,189.0 March .........: 8,774.2 7,492.6 1,281.6 April .........: 8,492.1 7,253.7 1,238.4 May ...........: 8,785.1 7,503.6 1,281.5 June ..........: 8,557.4 7,308.4 1,249.0 July ..........: 8,933.7 7,633.3 1,300.4 August ........: 8,962.2 7,662.8 1,299.4 September .....: 8,704.1 7,448.6 1,255.5 October .......: 9,041.1 7,749.9 1,291.2 November ......: 8,771.0 7,523.6 1,247.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December previous year. Egg Production During the Month in Dozens by Type - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 dozen eggs : December 1/ ...: 768,891.2 763,341.4 661,824.8 654,883.3 107,066.4 108,458.1 January .......: 750,450.2 767,066.6 642,425.1 657,583.1 108,025.1 109,483.5 February ......: 666,125.3 696,391.9 568,583.8 597,308.5 97,541.5 99,083.4 March .........: 731,183.9 624,383.7 106,800.2 April .........: 707,674.7 604,474.8 103,199.9 May ...........: 732,091.7 625,300.2 106,791.5 June ..........: 713,116.8 609,033.4 104,083.4 July ..........: 744,475.4 636,108.7 108,366.7 August ........: 746,850.2 638,566.8 108,283.4 September .....: 725,341.6 620,716.7 104,624.9 October .......: 753,425.3 645,825.4 107,599.9 November ......: 730,917.0 626,967.0 103,950.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December previous year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: January-February 2025 and 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2026 as Item : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layers during January : Total layers ....................................1,000: 369,507 375,661 102 Table egg type ................................1,000: 304,034 310,645 102 Hatching egg type .............................1,000: 65,473 65,016 99 Broiler-type hatching .......................1,000: 61,586 60,262 98 Egg-type hatching ...........................1,000: 3,887 4,754 122 : Eggs per 100 layers during January : Total layers ...................................number: 2,437 2,450 101 Table egg type ...............................number: 2,536 2,540 100 Hatching egg type ............................number: 1,980 2,021 102 Broiler-type hatching ......................number: 1,944 1,981 102 Egg-type hatching ..........................number: 2,555 2,520 99 : Eggs produced during January : Total layers ..................................million: 9,005.4 9,204.8 102 Table egg type ..............................million: 7,709.1 7,891.0 102 Hatching egg type ...........................million: 1,296.3 1,313.8 101 Broiler-type hatching .....................million: 1,197.0 1,194.0 100 Egg-type hatching .........................million: 99.3 119.8 121 : Eggs produced during January : Total layers ..............................1,000 dozen: 750,450.2 767,066.6 102 Table egg type ..........................1,000 dozen: 642,425.1 657,583.1 102 Hatching egg type .......................1,000 dozen: 108,025.1 109,483.5 101 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000 dozen: 99,750.1 99,500.1 100 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000 dozen: 8,275.0 9,983.4 121 : Layers on February 1 : Total layers ....................................1,000: 364,889 375,563 103 Table egg type ................................1,000: 299,092 310,014 104 Hatching egg type .............................1,000: 65,797 65,549 100 Broiler-type hatching .......................1,000: 61,928 60,668 98 Egg-type hatching ...........................1,000: 3,869 4,881 126 : Eggs per 100 layers on February 1 : Total layers ...................................number: 78.7 78.5 100 Table egg type ...............................number: 82.0 81.5 99 Hatching egg type ............................number: 64.0 64.7 101 Broiler-type hatching ......................number: 62.7 63.5 101 Egg-type hatching ..........................number: 84.5 80.0 95 : Molted layers on February 1 : Being molted ..................................percent: 2.2 2.6 118 Molt completed ................................percent: 10.6 10.6 100 : Layers sold for slaughter during January ..........1,000: 13,123.3 10,931.2 83 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during January .....1,000: 25,168.9 15,691.6 62 : Pullets on February 1 .............................1,000: 135,101 144,948 107 : Pullets added during January 1/ ...................1,000: 28,215.3 31,597.0 112 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: February-March 2025 and 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2026 as Item : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layers during February : Total layers ....................................1,000: 360,746 378,559 105 Table egg type ................................1,000: 295,489 312,917 106 Hatching egg type .............................1,000: 65,257 65,642 101 Broiler-type hatching .......................1,000: 61,372 60,778 99 Egg-type hatching ...........................1,000: 3,885 4,864 125 : Eggs per 100 layers during February : Total layers ...................................number: 2,216 2,208 100 Table egg type ...............................number: 2,309 2,291 99 Hatching egg type ............................number: 1,794 1,811 101 Broiler-type hatching ......................number: 1,757 1,772 101 Egg-type hatching ..........................number: 2,368 2,307 97 : Eggs produced during February : Total layers ..................................million: 7,993.5 8,356.7 105 Table egg type ..............................million: 6,823.0 7,167.7 105 Hatching egg type ...........................million: 1,170.5 1,189.0 102 Broiler-type hatching .....................million: 1,078.5 1,076.8 100 Egg-type hatching .........................million: 92.0 112.2 122 : Eggs produced during February : Total layers ..............................1,000 dozen:666,125.3 696,391.9 105 Table egg type ..........................1,000 dozen:568,583.8 597,308.5 105 Hatching egg type .......................1,000 dozen: 97,541.5 99,083.4 102 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000 dozen: 89,874.9 89,733.3 100 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000 dozen: 7,666.6 9,350.1 122 : Layers on March 1 : Total layers ....................................1,000: 356,564 381,532 107 Table egg type ................................1,000: 291,871 315,811 108 Hatching egg type .............................1,000: 64,693 65,721 102 Broiler-type hatching .......................1,000: 60,801 60,877 100 Egg-type hatching ...........................1,000: 3,892 4,844 124 : Eggs per 100 layers on March 1 : Total layers ...................................number: 79.5 79.1 99 Table egg type ...............................number: 83.0 82.1 99 Hatching egg type ............................number: 64.1 64.6 101 Broiler-type hatching ......................number: 62.8 63.0 100 Egg-type hatching ..........................number: 84.8 84.6 100 : Molted layers on March 1 : Being molted ..................................percent: 2.0 2.0 100 Molt completed ................................percent: 10.3 10.2 99 : Layers sold for slaughter during February .........1,000: 13,376.2 11,357.3 85 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during February ....1,000: 21,455.3 7,949.0 37 : Pullets on March 1 ................................1,000: 136,346 143,868 106 : Pullets added during February 1/ ..................1,000: 28,781.3 25,714.9 89 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2025 and 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: Total layers : total layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,295 1,101 10,795 10,936 1,949 1,913 Arkansas .......: (D) (D) 16,130 15,602 2,129 2,164 California .....: 1,942 7,013 2,312 7,376 2,180 2,427 Colorado .......: 1,606 2,004 2,094 2,491 2,278 2,425 Georgia ........: 9,783 9,624 19,864 19,276 2,268 2,304 Illinois .......: 5,957 6,138 6,553 6,742 2,336 2,504 Indiana ........: 38,350 35,700 39,284 36,613 2,556 2,496 Iowa ...........: 39,406 44,875 41,298 47,082 2,493 2,591 Kentucky .......: (D) (D) 5,420 5,442 2,166 2,251 Michigan .......: 10,903 13,219 11,541 13,803 2,461 2,631 : Minnesota ......: 6,784 7,068 7,262 7,573 2,531 2,580 Mississippi ....: (D) (D) 5,848 5,994 2,160 2,191 Missouri .......: 11,968 12,757 16,191 17,016 2,551 2,524 Nebraska .......: 8,029 8,379 8,751 9,057 2,521 2,465 New York .......: 5,449 5,543 5,960 6,072 2,596 2,594 North Carolina .: 6,463 7,595 15,158 15,958 2,235 2,278 Ohio ...........: 39,995 39,810 41,240 41,096 2,549 2,501 Oklahoma .......: (D) (D) 2,115 2,092 2,099 2,079 Oregon .........: 1,327 1,488 1,437 1,598 2,547 2,641 Pennsylvania ...: 23,211 23,279 26,412 27,062 2,606 2,557 : South Carolina .: 2,798 2,500 4,143 3,874 2,351 2,349 Texas ..........: (D) (D) 22,448 22,916 2,375 2,378 Utah ...........: 6,213 6,730 6,253 6,770 2,661 2,465 Washington .....: 5,690 3,482 5,792 3,584 2,446 2,416 Wisconsin ......: 6,785 4,452 7,961 5,643 2,658 2,509 : Other States 1/ : 56,996 54,806 37,245 33,993 2,433 2,500 : United States ..: 290,950 297,563 369,507 375,661 2,437 2,450 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Include State estimates not shown and States withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2025 and 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: Total layers : total layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,301 1,012 11,015 11,140 1,778 1,715 Arkansas .......: (D) (D) 15,995 15,659 1,967 1,915 California .....: 1,878 7,704 2,256 8,067 2,030 2,192 Colorado .......: 1,861 1,330 2,349 1,817 2,188 2,345 Georgia ........: 9,855 9,493 19,894 19,284 2,048 2,051 Illinois .......: 6,030 6,446 6,625 7,044 2,214 2,270 Indiana ........: 36,018 34,784 36,957 35,709 2,309 2,254 Iowa ...........: 40,209 45,463 42,087 47,736 2,291 2,347 Kentucky .......: (D) (D) 5,450 5,407 1,950 1,984 Michigan .......: 11,311 13,225 11,916 13,810 2,298 2,392 : Minnesota ......: 6,825 7,042 7,309 7,555 2,340 2,312 Mississippi ....: (D) (D) 5,874 5,978 1,958 1,979 Missouri .......: 10,944 11,641 15,152 15,845 2,295 2,264 Nebraska .......: 7,909 8,461 8,621 9,166 2,350 2,261 New York .......: 5,408 5,537 5,908 6,070 2,395 2,356 North Carolina .: 5,037 7,782 13,675 16,188 1,951 2,066 Ohio ...........: 34,764 41,426 36,026 42,712 2,326 2,292 Oklahoma .......: (D) (D) 2,124 2,010 1,911 1,925 Oregon .........: 1,457 1,473 1,567 1,583 2,265 2,280 Pennsylvania ...: 22,021 23,669 25,224 27,478 2,356 2,328 : South Carolina .: 2,790 2,608 4,123 4,008 2,122 2,058 Texas ..........: (D) (D) 22,559 22,735 2,154 2,107 Utah ...........: 6,292 7,018 6,332 7,058 2,293 2,120 Washington .....: 5,642 4,232 5,744 4,334 2,221 2,176 Wisconsin ......: 7,056 4,943 8,242 6,155 2,428 2,073 : Other States 1/ : 57,797 54,546 37,722 34,011 2,214 2,248 : United States ..: 282,405 299,835 360,746 378,559 2,216 2,208 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Include State estimates not shown and States withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2025 and 2026 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 210.4 209.2 35.8 31.4 174.6 177.8 Arkansas ........: 343.4 337.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) California ......: 50.4 179.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 47.7 60.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) Georgia .........: 450.6 444.1 255.9 251.8 194.7 192.3 Illinois ........: 153.1 168.8 148.1 163.6 5.0 5.2 Indiana .........: 1,004.2 913.7 991.0 900.9 13.2 12.8 Iowa ............: 1,029.6 1,219.9 1,005.6 1,189.0 24.0 30.9 Kentucky ........: 117.4 122.5 (D) (D) (D) (D) Michigan ........: 284.0 363.1 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Minnesota .......: 183.8 195.4 176.6 187.5 7.2 7.9 Mississippi .....: 126.3 131.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Missouri ........: 413.0 429.4 374.4 388.0 38.6 41.4 Nebraska ........: 220.6 223.3 207.3 210.6 13.3 12.7 New York ........: 154.7 157.5 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 338.8 363.5 172.8 201.5 166.0 162.0 Ohio ............: 1,051.4 1,027.8 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma ........: 44.4 43.5 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 36.6 42.2 36.6 42.2 - - Pennsylvania ....: 688.4 691.9 641.2 632.4 47.2 59.5 : South Carolina ..: 97.4 91.0 72.8 66.2 24.6 24.8 Texas ...........: 533.2 544.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 166.4 166.9 166.4 166.9 - - Washington ......: 141.7 86.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 211.6 141.6 205.8 135.6 5.8 6.0 : Other States 1/ .: 906.3 849.7 3,218.8 3,323.4 582.1 580.5 : United States ...: 9,005.4 9,204.8 7,709.1 7,891.0 1,296.3 1,313.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Include State estimates not shown and States withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2025 and 2026 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 195.8 191.1 32.9 26.5 162.9 164.6 Arkansas ........: 314.6 299.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) California ......: 45.8 176.8 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 51.4 42.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) Georgia .........: 407.4 395.5 231.1 220.4 176.3 175.1 Illinois ........: 146.7 159.9 142.3 155.3 4.4 4.6 Indiana .........: 853.2 805.0 841.2 793.0 12.0 12.0 Iowa ............: 964.1 1,120.5 942.5 1,090.4 21.6 30.1 Kentucky ........: 106.3 107.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Michigan ........: 273.8 330.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Minnesota .......: 171.0 174.7 164.2 167.3 6.8 7.4 Mississippi .....: 115.0 118.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Missouri ........: 347.8 358.8 313.1 322.6 34.7 36.2 Nebraska ........: 202.6 207.2 190.4 195.4 12.2 11.8 New York ........: 141.5 143.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 266.8 334.5 120.9 188.1 145.9 146.4 Ohio ............: 838.0 979.1 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma ........: 40.6 38.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 35.5 36.1 35.5 36.1 - - Pennsylvania ....: 594.2 639.6 550.9 584.5 43.3 55.1 : South Carolina ..: 87.5 82.5 65.5 59.9 22.0 22.6 Texas ...........: 485.9 479.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 145.2 149.6 145.2 149.6 - - Washington ......: 127.6 94.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 200.1 127.6 194.5 122.1 5.6 5.5 : Other States 1/ .: 835.1 764.7 2,852.8 3,056.5 522.8 517.6 : United States ...: 7,993.5 8,356.7 6,823.0 7,167.7 1,170.5 1,189.0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Include State estimates not shown and States withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: January 2025 and 2026 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 dozen eggs : Alabama .........: 17,533.4 17,433.4 2,983.4 2,616.7 14,550.0 14,816.7 Arkansas ........: 28,616.7 28,133.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) California ......: 4,200.0 14,916.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 3,974.9 5,033.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Georgia .........: 37,550.0 37,008.3 21,325.0 20,983.3 16,225.0 16,025.0 Illinois ........: 12,758.4 14,066.6 12,341.7 13,633.3 416.7 433.3 Indiana .........: 83,683.3 76,141.7 82,583.3 75,075.0 1,100.0 1,066.7 Iowa ............: 85,800.0 101,658.4 83,800.0 99,083.4 2,000.0 2,575.0 Kentucky ........: 9,783.4 10,208.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Michigan ........: 23,666.6 30,258.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Minnesota .......: 15,316.7 16,283.4 14,716.7 15,625.0 600.0 658.4 Mississippi .....: 10,525.0 10,941.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) Missouri ........: 34,416.7 35,783.3 31,200.0 32,333.3 3,216.7 3,450.0 Nebraska ........: 18,383.4 18,608.3 17,275.0 17,550.0 1,108.4 1,058.3 New York ........: 12,891.7 13,125.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 28,233.3 30,291.7 14,400.0 16,791.7 13,833.3 13,500.0 Ohio ............: 87,616.7 85,650.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma ........: 3,700.0 3,625.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 3,050.0 3,516.7 3,050.0 3,516.7 - - Pennsylvania ....: 57,366.6 57,658.4 53,433.3 52,700.0 3,933.3 4,958.4 : South Carolina ..: 8,116.7 7,583.4 6,066.7 5,516.7 2,050.0 2,066.7 Texas ...........: 44,433.4 45,408.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 13,866.7 13,908.3 13,866.7 13,908.3 - - Washington ......: 11,808.3 7,216.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 17,633.3 11,800.0 17,150.0 11,300.0 483.3 500.0 : Other States 1/ .: 75,525.0 70,808.0 268,233.3 276,949.7 48,508.4 48,375.0 : United States ...: 750,450.2 767,066.6 642,425.1 657,583.1 108,025.1 109,483.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Include State estimates not shown and States withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: February 2025 and 2026 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 dozen eggs : Alabama .........: 16,316.7 15,925.0 2,741.7 2,208.3 13,575.0 13,716.7 Arkansas ........: 26,216.7 24,991.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) California ......: 3,816.7 14,733.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 4,283.3 3,549.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) Georgia .........: 33,950.1 32,958.3 19,258.4 18,366.7 14,691.7 14,591.6 Illinois ........: 12,225.0 13,325.0 11,858.3 12,941.7 366.7 383.3 Indiana .........: 71,100.0 67,083.3 70,100.0 66,083.3 1,000.0 1,000.0 Iowa ............: 80,341.6 93,375.0 78,541.6 90,866.7 1,800.0 2,508.3 Kentucky ........: 8,858.4 8,941.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Michigan ........: 22,816.7 27,533.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Minnesota .......: 14,249.9 14,558.4 13,683.3 13,941.7 566.6 616.7 Mississippi .....: 9,583.4 9,858.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) Missouri ........: 28,983.3 29,900.0 26,091.7 26,883.3 2,891.6 3,016.7 Nebraska ........: 16,883.2 17,266.7 15,866.6 16,283.3 1,016.6 983.4 New York ........: 11,791.7 11,916.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 22,233.3 27,875.0 10,075.0 15,675.0 12,158.3 12,200.0 Ohio ............: 69,833.3 81,591.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma ........: 3,383.4 3,225.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 2,958.3 3,008.3 2,958.3 3,008.3 - - Pennsylvania ....: 49,516.6 53,300.1 45,908.3 48,708.4 3,608.3 4,591.7 : South Carolina ..: 7,291.7 6,875.0 5,458.4 4,991.7 1,833.3 1,883.3 Texas ...........: 40,491.7 39,916.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 12,100.0 12,466.7 12,100.0 12,466.7 - - Washington ......: 10,633.3 7,858.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 16,675.0 10,633.3 16,208.4 10,175.0 466.6 458.3 : Other States 1/ .: 69,592.0 63,725.1 237,733.8 254,708.4 43,566.8 43,133.4 : United States ...: 666,125.3 696,391.9 568,583.8 597,308.5 97,541.5 99,083.4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Include State estimates not shown and States withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Total Layers Molted First Day of the Month by Month - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 2.2 1.6 10.3 10.7 February ...............: 2.2 2.6 10.6 10.6 March ..................: 2.0 2.0 10.3 10.2 April ..................: 2.3 10.3 May ....................: 2.5 10.3 June ...................: 2.4 9.7 July ...................: 2.0 10.1 August .................: 2.5 10.1 September ..............: 2.5 10.2 October ................: 2.3 10.6 November ...............: 2.1 10.9 December ...............: 1.9 11.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Layers Molted First Day of the Month - States and United States: February 1 and March 1, 2025-2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : February 1 : March 1 : February 1 : March 1 :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 2.0 1.0 2.0 0.5 5.5 5.0 5.0 4.5 Arkansas ...............: 2.5 2.5 2.0 1.5 13.0 7.5 14.0 8.5 California .............: 3.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 4.0 3.0 5.5 3.0 Colorado ...............: 1.0 1.5 - 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.0 2.5 Georgia ................: 1.0 4.5 1.0 3.0 12.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 Illinois ...............: 6.0 2.0 6.0 3.0 32.0 21.0 29.0 18.5 Indiana ................: 1.5 2.0 1.0 0.5 8.0 9.0 7.5 10.5 Iowa ...................: 4.0 2.0 4.0 1.5 8.5 8.0 9.0 6.5 Kentucky ...............: 5.5 3.5 3.0 3.0 22.5 18.0 25.0 18.0 Michigan ...............: 1.5 1.0 - 0.5 2.5 2.5 0.5 2.0 : Minnesota ..............: 1.5 3.0 2.0 4.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 2.0 Mississippi ............: 2.0 3.0 2.0 1.5 13.5 16.0 14.0 18.5 Missouri ...............: 1.5 2.0 1.5 2.0 5.0 3.5 6.0 4.0 Nebraska ...............: 2.0 1.5 2.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.5 2.0 New York ...............: 2.0 3.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 7.0 2.5 7.0 North Carolina .........: 3.5 1.0 1.5 1.5 6.5 5.0 4.5 4.5 Ohio ...................: 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 7.5 4.0 7.5 4.0 Oklahoma ...............: 6.5 7.5 6.0 6.0 13.0 23.0 18.5 12.0 Oregon .................: 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 1.5 2.5 1.0 1.0 3.5 8.0 3.0 8.5 : South Carolina .........: 3.0 6.5 2.0 6.5 13.0 11.5 10.0 11.5 Texas ..................: 1.5 6.5 2.5 6.5 36.5 48.5 35.0 46.0 Utah ...................: 1.0 9.0 4.5 4.5 8.0 20.0 1.5 22.0 Washington .............: 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 4.0 - 2.0 0.5 Wisconsin ..............: 8.5 3.0 - 6.0 1.0 4.5 10.5 6.5 : Other States 1/ ........: 2.0 3.1 1.7 2.5 16.7 16.0 16.6 16.1 : United States ..........: 2.2 2.6 2.0 2.0 10.6 10.6 10.3 10.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Include State estimates not shown. Hatchery Production - United States: 2025 and 2026 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2026 as Item : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on March 1 ............................: 57,939 57,259 99 Chicks hatched during February ...........................: 57,191 54,264 95 Chicks hatched January through February ..................: 113,866 107,714 95 : Pullets hatched during February for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 226 277 123 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 2,757 2,737 99 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on March 1 ............................: 748,226 763,142 102 Chicks hatched during February ...........................: 782,831 797,890 102 Chicks hatched January through February ..................: 1,652,162 1,685,837 102 : Pullets hatched during February for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 8,223 9,056 110 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 76,843 77,408 101 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2026 includes pullet chicks hatched August 2024 through July 2025. 2/ 2026 includes pullet chicks hatched November 2024 through July 2025. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2026 as Month : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------- 1,000 ------- percent : January ................................................: 52,411 53,109 101 February ...............................................: 56,430 57,766 102 March ..................................................: 57,939 57,259 99 April ..................................................: 61,895 May ....................................................: 60,738 June ...................................................: 59,828 July ...................................................: 56,016 August .................................................: 56,077 September ..............................................: 55,017 October ................................................: 55,812 November ...............................................: 52,425 December ...............................................: 52,517 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2026 as : : : 2026 as : 2025 : 2026 : percent : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 : : : of 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 56,675 53,450 94 56,675 53,450 94 February ......: 57,191 54,264 95 113,866 107,714 95 March .........: 60,769 174,635 April .........: 61,286 235,921 May ...........: 60,389 296,310 June ..........: 59,587 355,897 July ..........: 58,236 414,133 August ........: 57,386 471,519 September .....: 55,639 527,158 October .......: 56,240 583,398 November ......: 52,468 635,866 December ......: 52,845 688,711 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2026 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2025 :----------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : : 2025 : 2026 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 200 205 103 2,753 2,721 February ...............: 226 277 123 2,757 2,737 March ..................: 197 2,765 2,732 April ..................: 235 2,771 2,728 May ....................: 246 2,767 2,719 June ...................: 227 2,759 2,721 July ...................: 216 2,755 2,724 August .................: 258 2,749 2,729 September ..............: 272 2,739 2,780 October ................: 236 2,738 November ...............: 193 2,724 December ...............: 218 2,713 : Annual total ...........: 2,724 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For February 2026, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched August 2024 through July 2025. 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 - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2026 as Month : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------- 1,000 ------- percent : January ................................................: 745,127 757,666 102 February ...............................................: 746,009 759,294 102 March ..................................................: 748,226 763,142 102 April ..................................................: 747,273 May ....................................................: 751,247 June ...................................................: 756,917 July ...................................................: 752,197 August .................................................: 748,407 September ..............................................: 748,295 October ................................................: 726,279 November ...............................................: 728,593 December ...............................................: 756,871 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: February 2025 and 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During February : January-February :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2026 as : : : 2026 as : 2025 : 2026 : percent : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 : : : of 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ........................: 110,676 112,072 101 235,506 235,692 100 Arkansas .......................: 82,496 85,377 103 173,725 180,775 104 Delaware .......................: 18,269 18,781 103 37,760 39,692 105 Georgia ........................: 108,361 112,488 104 229,764 235,157 102 Kentucky .......................: 24,767 26,195 106 51,714 54,996 106 Maryland .......................: 26,723 26,367 99 55,203 55,562 101 Mississippi ....................: 57,531 58,351 101 121,935 123,234 101 Missouri .......................: 28,520 29,471 103 60,742 62,121 102 : North Carolina .................: 80,135 81,917 102 170,250 173,533 102 Oklahoma .......................: 18,118 17,547 97 37,869 37,901 100 Pennsylvania ...................: 27,526 29,033 105 58,184 61,424 106 South Carolina .................: 18,529 19,211 104 38,910 40,516 104 Texas ..........................: 61,130 61,281 100 129,187 130,995 101 Virginia .......................: 17,802 16,977 95 37,412 37,054 99 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia .............: 50,259 49,879 99 103,797 105,242 101 : Other States 1/ ................: 51,989 52,943 102 110,204 111,943 102 : United States ..................: 782,831 797,890 102 1,652,162 1,685,837 102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes State estimates not shown. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Monthly : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2026 as : : : 2026 as : 2025 : 2026 : percent : 2025 : 2026 : percent : : : of 2025 : : : of 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : January ........................: 869,331 887,947 102 869,331 887,947 102 February .......................: 782,831 797,890 102 1,652,162 1,685,837 102 March ..........................: 867,475 2,519,637 April ..........................: 841,745 3,361,382 May ............................: 876,136 4,237,518 June ...........................: 856,689 5,094,207 July ...........................: 880,557 5,974,764 August .........................: 878,352 6,853,116 September ......................: 847,392 7,700,508 October ........................: 851,174 8,551,682 November .......................: 832,545 9,384,227 December .......................: 889,445 10,273,672 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2025-2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2026 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2025 :----------------------------------- : 2025 : 2026 : : 2025 : 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements : January .................: 7,774 8,553 110 77,087 77,166 February ................: 8,223 9,056 110 76,843 77,408 March ...................: 9,408 77,337 77,384 April ...................: 8,873 77,528 77,007 May .....................: 8,051 78,150 77,021 June ....................: 9,379 78,216 76,874 July ....................: 8,300 77,934 76,283 August ..................: 8,239 77,556 75,963 September ...............: 8,760 77,547 76,968 October .................: 7,788 77,171 November ................: 8,076 78,277 December ................: 8,817 77,627 : Annual total ..............: 101,688 : Total placements 2/ .......: January .................: 9,698 10,758 111 February ................: 10,431 11,053 106 March ...................: 11,681 April ...................: 10,805 May .....................: 9,948 June ....................: 11,767 July ....................: 10,149 August ..................: 9,950 September ...............: 11,049 October .................: 9,619 November ................: 9,814 December ................: 10,827 : Annual total ..............: 125,738 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ For February 2026, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched November 2024 through July 2025. 2/ United States production of intended placements worldwide. Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates Total 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. 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 regional 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. 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 total layers over the past 24 months is 1.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 379 million layers by more than 1.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 2.0 percent. Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past 24 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 ----- : Total layers .................: 1.2 2.0 3,391 361 8,645 23 1 : : ------- million ------ : Eggs .........................: 1.2 2.1 85 4 232 23 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 nass@usda.gov. Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch................................................ (202) 692-0069 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter............................................. (202) 690-8632 Tiffany Byrne - Dairy Products...................................................... (651) 440-7789 Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed................................................. (202) 720-3040 Kim DaPra - Milk Production......................................................... (202) 720-3278 Fatema Haque - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised................... (202) 720-3244 Derron Martin - Catfish, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Trout................. (202) 690-3237 Ralph Mondesir - Hogs and Pigs...................................................... (202) 720-3106 Suzanne Richards - Cost of Pollination, Honey, Honey Bee Colonies, Sheep and Goats.. (202) 720-4448 Shulonda Shaw - Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses, Cold Storage................... (202) 720-3240 Autumn Stone - Layers, Eggs......................................................... (202) 690-3676 Takiyah Walker - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery................................. (202) 720-6147