Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released January 21, 2020, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). December Egg Production Up 4 Percent United States egg production totaled 9.80 billion during December 2019, up 4 percent from last year. Production included 8.59 billion table eggs, and 1.21 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.12 billion were broiler-type and 88.6 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during December 2019 averaged 403 million, up 3 percent from last year. December egg production per 100 layers was 2,429 eggs, up 1 percent from December 2018. All layers in the United States on January 1, 2020 totaled 404 million, up 3 percent from last year. The 404 million layers consisted of 341 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 59.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.50 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on January 1, 2020, averaged 78.0 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from January 1, 2019. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 1 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during December 2019 totaled 46.9 million, up 1 percent from December 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 48.3 million on January 1, 2020, down 6 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 266 thousand during December 2019, down 1 percent from December 2018. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 4 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during December 2019 totaled 858 million, up 4 percent from December 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 715 million on January 1, 2020, up 5 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 8.66 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 2019, up 1 percent from December 2018. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Average Layers During the Month - United States: 2019-2020.................................................. 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2019-2020.......................................... 4 Egg Production During the Month in Dozens by Type - United States: 2019-2020................................ 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: November-December 2018 and 2019.......... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: December-January 2018-2020............... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During November 2018 and 2019.................. 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During December 2018 and 2019.................. 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: November 2018 and 2019................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: December 2018 and 2019................................... 11 Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: November 2018 and 2019......................... 12 Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: December 2018 and 2019......................... 13 Molted as Percent of Total Layers on the First of the Month - United States: 2019-2020...................... 14 Molted as Percent of Total Layers - States and United States: December 1 and January 1, 2018-2020........... 14 Hatchery Production - United States: 2019 and 2020.......................................................... 15 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - United States: 2019 and 2020........................ 16 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2018-2019................................................. 16 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2018-2020.................................................................................... 17 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - United States: 2019 and 2020.................... 17 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: December 2018 and 2019.............................. 18 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2018-2019............................................. 18 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2018-2020.. 19 Statistical Methodology..................................................................................... 20 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates........................................................ 21 Information Contacts........................................................................................ 22 Average Layers During the Month - United States: 2019-2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2019 : 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 392,577 403,496 January ......................: 394,789 February .....................: 399,559 March ........................: 403,680 April ........................: 402,489 May ..........................: 397,737 June .........................: 392,692 July .........................: 390,484 August .......................: 391,826 September ....................: 394,257 October ......................: 397,842 November .....................: 401,592 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December previous year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2019-2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 9,435.6 9,799.8 8,259.1 8,590.9 1,176.5 1,208.9 January .......: 9,456.6 8,275.4 1,181.2 February ......: 8,599.6 7,516.5 1,083.1 March .........: 9,626.7 8,424.3 1,202.4 April .........: 9,325.6 8,160.0 1,165.6 May ...........: 9,559.4 8,346.3 1,213.1 June ..........: 9,164.5 7,990.8 1,173.7 July ..........: 9,408.5 8,200.4 1,208.1 August ........: 9,453.6 8,253.9 1,199.7 September .....: 9,191.7 8,034.7 1,157.0 October .......: 9,651.0 8,446.6 1,204.4 November ......: 9,498.1 8,328.2 1,169.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December previous year. Egg Production During the Month in Dozens by Type - United States: 2019-2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 dozen eggs : December 1/ ...: 786,299.9 816,650.0 688,258.4 715,908.2 98,041.5 100,741.8 January .......: 788,050.4 689,617.1 98,433.3 February ......: 716,633.1 626,374.9 90,258.2 March .........: 802,224.9 702,025.0 100,199.9 April .........: 777,133.0 679,999.9 97,133.1 May ...........: 796,616.6 695,525.0 101,091.6 June ..........: 763,708.5 665,900.2 97,808.3 July ..........: 784,041.3 683,366.7 100,674.6 August ........: 787,799.8 687,825.1 99,974.7 September .....: 765,974.8 669,558.0 96,416.8 October .......: 804,249.6 703,883.2 100,366.4 November ......: 791,507.9 694,016.6 97,491.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December previous year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: November-December 2018 and 2019 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2019 as Item : 2018 : 2019 : percent : : : of 2018 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layers during November : Total layers .................................1,000: 394,987 401,592 102 Table egg type .............................1,000: 334,041 339,123 102 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 60,946 62,469 102 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 57,718 58,950 102 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,228 3,519 109 : Eggs per 100 layers during November : Total layers ................................number: 2,322 2,365 102 Table egg type ............................number: 2,402 2,456 102 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,882 1,873 100 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,846 1,835 99 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,519 2,498 99 : Eggs produced during November : Total layers ...............................million: 9,170.9 9,498.1 104 Table egg type ...........................million: 8,024.2 8,328.2 104 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,146.7 1,169.9 102 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,065.4 1,082.0 102 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 81.3 87.9 108 : Eggs produced during November : Total layers ...........................1,000 dozen: 764,242.0 791,507.9 104 Table egg type .......................1,000 dozen: 668,683.5 694,016.6 104 Hatching egg type ....................1,000 dozen: 95,558.5 97,491.3 102 Broiler-type hatching ..............1,000 dozen: 88,783.4 90,166.6 102 Egg-type hatching ..................1,000 dozen: 6,775.1 7,324.7 108 : Layers on December 1 : Total layers .................................1,000: 396,870 402,869 102 Table egg type .............................1,000: 335,942 340,420 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 60,928 62,449 102 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 57,753 58,977 102 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,175 3,472 109 : Eggs per 100 layers on December 1 : Total layers ................................number: 77.7 78.7 101 Table egg type ............................number: 80.4 81.7 102 Hatching egg type .........................number: 62.7 62.4 100 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 61.5 61.2 100 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 85.8 83.1 97 : Molted layers on December 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 1.1 1.0 91 Molt completed .............................percent: 14.6 12.9 88 : Layers sold for slaughter during November ......1,000: 14,169.1 13,512.4 95 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during November .1,000: 10,106.9 11,416.0 113 : Pullets on December 1 ..........................1,000: 124,135 122,411 99 : Pullets added during November 1/ ...............1,000: 28,335.6 28,864.5 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: December-January 2018-2020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2019 as Item : 2018 : 2019 : percent : : : of 2018 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layers during December : All layers ...................................1,000:392,577 403,496 103 Table egg type .............................1,000:331,277 340,582 103 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 61,300 62,914 103 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 57,957 59,426 103 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,343 3,488 104 : Eggs per 100 layers during December : All layers .................................number: 2,404 2,429 101 Table egg type ...........................number: 2,493 2,522 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,919 1,922 100 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,879 1,885 100 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,611 2,540 97 : Eggs produced during December : All layers .................................million: 9,435.6 9,799.8 104 Table egg type ...........................million: 8,259.1 8,590.9 104 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,176.5 1,208.9 103 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,089.2 1,120.3 103 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 87.3 88.6 101 : Eggs produced during December : All layers .............................1,000 dozen:786,299.9 816,650.0 104 Table egg type .......................1,000 dozen:688,258.4 715,908.2 104 Hatching egg type ....................1,000 dozen: 98,041.5 100,741.8 103 Broiler-type hatching ..............1,000 dozen: 90,766.6 93,358.5 103 Egg-type hatching ..................1,000 dozen: 7,274.9 7,383.3 101 :-------------------------------- : : : 2020 as : 2019 : 2020 : percent : : : of 2019 :-------------------------------- Layers on January 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 393,312 404,089 103 Table egg type .............................1,000: 331,581 340,729 103 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 61,731 63,360 103 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 58,299 59,864 103 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,432 3,496 102 : Eggs per 100 layers on January 1 : All layers ..................................number: 77.3 78.0 101 Table egg type ............................number: 80.4 81.0 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 60.9 61.5 101 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.6 60.4 101 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 82.8 80.8 98 : Molted layers on January 1 : Percent being molted .......................percent: 1.5 1.6 107 Percent with molt completed ................percent: 13.3 11.9 89 : Layers sold for slaughter during December ......1,000: 12,846 12,360 96 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during December 1,000: 10,820 10,807 100 : Pullets on January 1 ...........................1,000: 124,716 120,990 97 : Pullets added during December 1/ ...............1,000: 26,515 25,475 96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During November 2018 and 2019 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: Total layers : total layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,356 1,421 9,688 9,963 1,853 1,883 Arkansas .......: 4,280 (D) 14,608 14,705 2,045 1,999 California .....: 13,954 12,871 14,701 13,485 2,403 2,400 Colorado .......: 4,609 4,760 5,147 5,273 2,499 2,520 Florida 1/ .....: 6,913 (NA) 7,348 (NA) 2,327 (NA) Georgia ........: 9,390 9,368 20,001 19,708 2,126 2,127 Illinois .......: 5,811 5,676 6,379 6,253 2,331 2,450 Indiana ........: 33,372 34,203 34,569 35,489 2,391 2,420 Iowa ...........: 56,630 56,345 58,330 58,118 2,363 2,443 Kentucky 2/ ....: (NA) (D) (NA) 5,678 (NA) 2,182 : Maryland .......: 2,597 2,536 2,800 2,736 2,486 2,420 Michigan .......: 15,718 14,663 16,003 14,957 2,433 2,474 Minnesota ......: 10,384 9,464 10,894 9,949 2,404 2,391 Mississippi ....: 1,433 (D) 5,572 5,626 2,120 2,121 Missouri .......: 7,554 7,349 12,475 12,482 2,438 2,492 Nebraska .......: 8,031 8,536 8,307 9,128 2,444 2,469 New York .......: 5,059 5,250 5,613 5,783 2,407 2,502 North Carolina .: 5,256 7,368 13,290 15,880 2,046 2,128 Ohio ...........: 32,049 35,416 33,246 36,624 2,354 2,506 Oklahoma 2/ ....: (NA) (D) (NA) 2,889 (NA) 1,925 : Oregon .........: 2,099 2,090 2,292 2,283 2,452 2,510 Pennsylvania ...: 26,023 28,170 28,619 30,701 2,451 2,499 South Carolina .: 3,115 2,610 4,391 3,924 2,241 2,082 South Dakota ...: 2,630 2,700 2,685 2,755 2,562 2,642 Texas ..........: 18,003 (D) 22,463 22,266 2,338 2,229 Utah ...........: 4,561 4,541 4,613 4,593 2,443 2,615 Virginia .......: 924 924 2,724 2,663 2,203 2,396 Washington .....: 6,783 6,676 6,948 6,839 2,527 2,519 Wisconsin ......: 6,191 6,689 7,272 7,785 2,222 2,475 : Other States 3/ : 23,942 26,947 34,009 33,057 2,250 2,343 : United States ..: 318,667 323,653 394,987 401,592 2,322 2,365 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During December 2018 and 2019 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: Total layers : total layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,397 1,444 9,677 10,235 1,899 1,943 Arkansas .......: 4,167 (D) 14,357 14,908 2,064 2,065 California .....: 14,237 13,349 15,008 13,987 2,429 2,404 Colorado .......: 4,424 4,762 4,819 5,275 2,606 2,624 Florida 1/ .....: 6,933 (NA) 7,323 (NA) 2,474 (NA) Georgia ........: 9,787 9,357 20,026 19,736 2,212 2,183 Illinois .......: 5,802 5,627 6,266 6,197 2,531 2,341 Indiana ........: 33,435 34,586 34,244 35,872 2,487 2,538 Iowa ...........: 56,029 57,113 57,427 58,895 2,486 2,519 Kentucky 2/ ....: (NA) (D) (NA) 5,667 (NA) 2,271 : Maryland .......: 2,639 2,656 2,810 2,851 2,434 2,504 Michigan .......: 15,846 14,796 16,089 15,090 2,517 2,486 Minnesota ......: 10,610 8,940 11,163 9,444 2,524 2,453 Mississippi ....: 1,412 (D) 5,536 5,593 2,148 2,172 Missouri .......: 7,950 7,515 11,600 12,636 2,538 2,487 Nebraska .......: 8,296 8,527 8,604 9,143 2,545 2,554 New York .......: 5,114 5,252 5,516 5,782 2,531 2,598 North Carolina .: 5,476 7,290 13,467 15,858 2,113 2,207 Ohio ...........: 31,554 35,016 32,561 36,226 2,469 2,519 Oklahoma 2/ ....: (NA) (D) (NA) 2,857 (NA) 2,030 : Oregon .........: 2,133 2,131 2,272 2,324 2,623 2,590 Pennsylvania ...: 26,142 28,530 28,235 31,107 2,528 2,569 South Carolina .: 3,067 2,619 4,300 3,935 2,340 2,180 South Dakota ...: 2,681 2,629 2,823 2,684 2,419 2,720 Texas ..........: 18,090 (D) 22,247 22,407 2,337 2,338 Utah ...........: 4,766 4,613 4,804 4,665 2,537 2,684 Virginia .......: 832 913 2,529 2,677 2,282 2,447 Washington .....: 6,740 6,745 6,905 6,909 2,529 2,572 Wisconsin ......: 6,167 6,852 6,880 7,947 2,349 2,514 : Other States 3/ : 25,753 26,534 35,089 32,589 2,308 2,428 : United States ..: 321,479 325,112 392,577 403,496 2,404 2,429 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: November 2018 and 2019 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 179.5 187.6 35.0 37.2 144.5 150.4 Arkansas ........: 298.7 294.0 119.6 (D) 179.1 (D) California ......: 353.2 323.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 128.6 132.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida 1/ ......: 171.0 (NA) 166.9 (NA) 4.1 (NA) Georgia .........: 425.3 419.1 227.0 228.4 198.3 190.7 Illinois ........: 148.7 153.2 144.8 149.8 3.9 3.4 Indiana .........: 826.7 858.8 811.9 843.3 14.8 15.5 Iowa ............: 1,378.5 1,420.1 1,357.9 1,399.3 20.6 20.8 Kentucky 2/ .....: (NA) 123.9 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Maryland ........: 69.6 66.2 68.2 64.7 1.4 1.5 Michigan ........: 389.3 370.1 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 261.9 237.9 255.8 231.7 6.1 6.2 Mississippi .....: 118.1 119.3 38.0 (D) 80.1 (D) Missouri ........: 304.1 311.1 (D) 274.3 (D) 36.8 Nebraska ........: 203.0 225.4 198.0 213.4 5.0 12.0 New York ........: 135.1 144.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 271.9 338.0 126.9 186.3 145.0 151.7 Ohio ............: 782.5 917.8 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma 2/ .....: (NA) 55.6 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Oregon ..........: 56.2 57.3 56.2 57.3 - - Pennsylvania ....: 701.4 767.2 670.0 739.4 31.4 27.8 South Carolina ..: 98.4 81.7 76.2 59.2 22.2 22.5 South Dakota ....: 68.8 72.8 68.8 72.8 - - Texas ...........: 525.2 496.2 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 112.7 120.1 112.7 120.1 - - Virginia ........: 60.0 63.8 30.5 34.1 29.5 29.7 Washington ......: 175.6 172.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 161.6 192.7 (D) 187.4 (D) 5.3 : Other States 3/ .: 765.3 774.6 633.4 699.8 131.9 74.8 : United States ...: 9,170.9 9,498.1 8,024.2 8,328.2 1,146.7 1,169.9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: December 2018 and 2019 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 183.8 198.9 36.3 38.6 147.5 160.3 Arkansas ........: 296.4 307.9 111.7 (D) 184.7 (D) California ......: 364.6 336.2 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 125.6 138.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida 1/ ......: 181.2 (NA) 176.9 (NA) 4.3 (NA) Georgia .........: 443.0 430.9 247.6 234.9 195.4 196.0 Illinois ........: 158.6 145.1 154.8 141.6 3.8 3.5 Indiana .........: 851.7 910.5 836.4 894.1 15.3 16.4 Iowa ............: 1,427.6 1,483.6 1,405.9 1,461.7 21.7 21.9 Kentucky 2/ .....: (NA) 128.7 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Maryland ........: 68.4 71.4 67.0 69.9 1.4 1.5 Michigan ........: 405.0 375.1 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 281.8 231.7 273.7 225.4 8.1 6.3 Mississippi .....: 118.9 121.5 37.6 (D) 81.3 (D) Missouri ........: 294.4 314.3 (D) 277.0 (D) 37.3 Nebraska ........: 219.0 233.5 213.3 220.3 5.7 13.2 New York ........: 139.6 150.2 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 284.6 350.0 134.0 193.2 150.6 156.8 Ohio ............: 803.8 912.5 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma 2/ .....: (NA) 58.0 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Oregon ..........: 59.6 60.2 59.6 60.2 - - Pennsylvania ....: 713.7 799.1 681.6 769.8 32.1 29.3 South Carolina ..: 100.6 85.8 77.6 62.2 23.0 23.6 South Dakota ....: 68.3 73.0 68.3 73.0 - - Texas ...........: 519.9 523.8 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 121.9 125.2 121.9 125.2 - - Virginia ........: 57.7 65.5 26.4 34.4 31.3 31.1 Washington ......: 174.6 177.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 161.6 199.8 (D) 194.1 (D) 5.7 : Other States 3/ .: 809.7 791.3 673.9 716.4 135.8 74.9 : United States ...: 9,435.6 9,799.8 8,259.1 8,590.9 1,176.5 1,208.9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: November 2018 and 2019 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 dozen eggs : Alabama .........: 14,958.4 15,633.3 2,916.7 3,100.0 12,041.7 12,533.3 Arkansas ........: 24,891.6 24,500.0 9,966.6 (D) 14,925.0 (D) California ......: 29,433.4 26,974.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 10,716.7 11,075.1 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida 1/ ......: 14,250.0 (NA) 13,908.3 (NA) 341.7 (NA) Georgia .........: 35,441.7 34,924.9 18,916.7 19,033.3 16,525.0 15,891.6 Illinois ........: 12,391.7 12,766.7 12,066.7 12,483.4 325.0 283.3 Indiana .........: 68,891.7 71,566.7 67,658.4 70,275.0 1,233.3 1,291.7 Iowa ............: 114,875.1 118,341.7 113,158.4 116,608.3 1,716.7 1,733.4 Kentucky 2/ .....: (NA) 10,325.0 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Maryland ........: 5,800.0 5,516.7 5,683.3 5,391.7 116.7 125.0 Michigan ........: 32,441.7 30,841.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 21,825.1 19,825.0 21,316.7 19,308.3 508.4 516.7 Mississippi .....: 9,841.6 9,941.6 3,166.6 (D) 6,675.0 (D) Missouri ........: 25,341.7 25,925.0 (D) 22,858.3 (D) 3,066.7 Nebraska ........: 16,916.7 18,783.3 16,500.0 17,783.3 416.7 1,000.0 New York ........: 11,258.3 12,058.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 22,658.3 28,166.7 10,575.0 15,525.0 12,083.3 12,641.7 Ohio ............: 65,208.3 76,483.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma 2/ .....: (NA) 4,633.4 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Oregon ..........: 4,683.4 4,775.0 4,683.4 4,775.0 - - Pennsylvania ....: 58,450.0 63,933.2 55,833.3 61,616.6 2,616.7 2,316.6 South Carolina ..: 8,200.0 6,808.3 6,350.0 4,933.3 1,850.0 1,875.0 South Dakota ....: 5,733.4 6,066.7 5,733.4 6,066.7 - - Texas ...........: 43,766.7 41,349.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 9,391.6 10,008.4 9,391.6 10,008.4 - - Virginia ........: 4,999.9 5,316.6 2,541.6 2,841.6 2,458.3 2,475.0 Washington ......: 14,633.4 14,358.4 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 13,466.6 16,058.2 (D) 15,616.6 (D) 441.6 : Other States 3/ .: 63,775.0 64,549.9 52,783.3 58,316.7 10,991.7 6,233.2 : United States ...: 764,242.0 791,507.9 668,683.5 694,016.6 95,558.5 97,491.3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Egg Production in Dozens by Type - States and United States: December 2018 and 2019 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 : 2018 : 2019 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 dozen eggs : Alabama .........: 15,316.7 16,574.9 3,025.0 3,216.6 12,291.7 13,358.3 Arkansas ........: 24,700.1 25,658.4 9,308.4 (D) 15,391.7 (D) California ......: 30,383.3 28,016.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 10,466.6 11,533.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida 1/ ......: 15,100.0 (NA) 14,741.7 (NA) 358.3 (NA) Georgia .........: 36,916.6 35,908.4 20,633.3 19,575.0 16,283.3 16,333.4 Illinois ........: 13,216.7 12,091.7 12,900.0 11,800.0 316.7 291.7 Indiana .........: 70,975.0 75,875.1 69,700.0 74,508.4 1,275.0 1,366.7 Iowa ............: 118,966.7 123,633.3 117,158.4 121,808.3 1,808.3 1,825.0 Kentucky 2/ .....: (NA) 10,724.9 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Maryland ........: 5,700.1 5,950.0 5,583.4 5,825.0 116.7 125.0 Michigan ........: 33,750.0 31,258.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 23,483.3 19,308.3 22,808.3 18,783.3 675.0 525.0 Mississippi .....: 9,908.4 10,124.9 3,133.4 (D) 6,775.0 (D) Missouri ........: 24,533.4 26,191.7 (D) 23,083.3 (D) 3,108.4 Nebraska ........: 18,250.0 19,458.3 17,775.0 18,358.3 475.0 1,100.0 New York ........: 11,633.4 12,516.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 23,716.6 29,166.7 11,166.6 16,100.0 12,550.0 13,066.7 Ohio ............: 66,983.2 76,041.7 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oklahoma 2/ .....: (NA) 4,833.3 (NA) (D) (NA) (D) : Oregon ..........: 4,966.7 5,016.7 4,966.7 5,016.7 - - Pennsylvania ....: 59,475.0 66,591.6 56,800.0 64,150.0 2,675.0 2,441.6 South Carolina ..: 8,383.4 7,150.1 6,466.7 5,183.4 1,916.7 1,966.7 South Dakota ....: 5,691.6 6,083.3 5,691.6 6,083.3 - - Texas ...........: 43,324.9 43,650.0 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 10,158.3 10,433.4 10,158.3 10,433.4 - - Virginia ........: 4,808.3 5,458.4 2,200.0 2,866.7 2,608.3 2,591.7 Washington ......: 14,550.0 14,808.3 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 13,466.7 16,650.0 (D) 16,175.0 (D) 475.0 : Other States 3/ .: 67,474.9 65,941.8 56,158.3 59,700.1 11,316.6 6,241.7 : United States ...: 786,299.9 816,650.0 688,258.4 715,908.2 98,041.5 100,741.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Molted as Percent of Total Layers on the First of the Month - United States: 2019-2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 1.5 1.6 13.3 11.9 February ...............: 2.6 13.0 March ..................: 1.5 13.8 April ..................: 1.3 13.8 May ....................: 2.5 13.2 June ...................: 2.1 13.4 July ...................: 2.0 13.5 August .................: 2.0 13.4 September ..............: 2.0 13.2 October ................: 1.9 13.3 November ...............: 1.5 13.3 December ...............: 1.0 12.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Molted as Percent of Total Layers - States and United States: December 1 and January 1, 2018-2020 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : December 1 : January 1 : December 1 : January 1 :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : 2019 : 2020 : 2018 : 2019 : 2019 : 2020 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: - 1.0 0.5 - 5.5 8.0 5.5 7.5 Arkansas ...............: - 1.0 2.5 1.0 9.0 10.5 7.0 9.0 California .............: 0.5 0.5 3.5 - 10.5 10.0 9.5 8.5 Colorado ...............: - - - - 6.0 7.5 6.5 6.0 Florida 1/ .............: 2.0 (NA) - (NA) 34.5 (NA) 32.0 (NA) Georgia ................: - 0.5 0.5 2.5 11.5 14.5 9.0 12.0 Illinois ...............: - - - - 12.0 5.0 11.0 - Indiana ................: 0.5 - 1.0 1.5 17.5 16.5 16.0 16.0 Iowa ...................: 2.0 1.5 3.0 1.5 20.0 17.0 17.5 15.5 Kentucky 2/ ............: (NA) 2.0 (NA) 1.5 (NA) 3.5 (NA) 3.0 : Maryland ...............: - - - - - - - - Michigan ...............: - 2.5 - 1.5 3.0 3.5 3.0 3.5 Minnesota ..............: 1.0 0.5 3.5 2.5 8.5 1.5 6.5 2.0 Mississippi ............: 0.5 - 1.5 2.0 17.5 21.5 16.5 20.5 Missouri ...............: - - - - 11.0 5.0 10.0 4.0 Nebraska ...............: 5.5 - - 1.0 10.5 7.0 13.0 6.0 New York ...............: - - 1.5 1.5 2.0 8.0 2.5 8.0 North Carolina .........: - - 0.5 0.5 7.5 3.5 6.0 3.5 Ohio ...................: 4.5 1.0 1.0 2.5 22.0 14.0 21.0 12.0 Oklahoma 2/ ............: (NA) - (NA) - (NA) - (NA) - : Oregon .................: - - 1.5 - 5.0 1.5 3.5 1.5 Pennsylvania ...........: - 3.0 - 2.5 2.5 2.0 1.5 2.0 South Carolina .........: - - - 2.5 20.5 22.5 19.0 22.0 South Dakota ...........: - - - - 3.5 3.0 3.5 - Texas ..................: 0.5 1.0 4.0 3.5 33.5 39.0 31.5 38.0 Utah ...................: - - 2.0 2.5 24.5 23.5 23.0 19.0 Virginia ...............: - - - - 8.0 - 8.0 - Washington .............: 5.5 1.5 4.5 3.0 13.0 13.0 12.5 11.5 Wisconsin ..............: - - - 4.0 17.0 1.5 16.5 1.0 : Other States 3/ ........: 1.0 1.4 1.8 1.4 14.0 20.8 12.9 21.1 : United States ..........: 1.1 1.0 1.5 1.6 14.6 12.9 13.3 11.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2019. 2/ Included in Other States in 2018. 3/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2019 and 2020 [December preceding year] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2020 as Item : 2019 : 2020 : percent : : : of 2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on January 1 ..........................: 51,432 48,273 94 Chicks hatched during December ...........................: 46,370 46,868 101 Chicks hatched January through December ..................: 633,952 631,999 100 : Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 268 266 99 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 2,568 2,699 105 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on January 1 ..........................: 683,669 714,997 105 Chicks hatched during December ...........................: 826,760 857,608 104 Chicks hatched January through December ..................: 9,707,741 9,903,342 102 : Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 8,595 8,658 101 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 70,137 71,730 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2020 includes pullet chicks hatched June 2018 through May 2019. 2/ 2020 includes pullet chicks hatched September 2018 through May 2019. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - United States: 2019 and 2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2020 as Item : 2019 : 2020 : percent : : : of 2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------- 1,000 ------- percent : January ....................................................: 51,432 48,273 94 February ...................................................: 55,001 March ......................................................: 53,586 April ......................................................: 58,422 May ........................................................: 55,489 June .......................................................: 51,648 July .......................................................: 47,615 August .....................................................: 47,490 September ..................................................: 47,878 October ....................................................: 48,512 November ...................................................: 48,069 December ...................................................: 47,798 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2018-2019 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2019 as : : : 2019 as : 2018 : 2019 : percent : 2018 : 2019 : percent : : : of 2018 : : : of 2018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 51,900 56,219 108 51,900 56,219 108 February ......: 50,148 52,182 104 102,048 108,401 106 March .........: 58,147 55,658 96 160,195 164,059 102 April .........: 58,986 60,668 103 219,181 224,727 103 May ...........: 59,756 60,816 102 278,937 285,543 102 June ..........: 53,019 51,858 98 331,956 337,401 102 July ..........: 50,806 50,919 100 382,762 388,320 101 August ........: 53,207 46,246 87 435,969 434,566 100 September .....: 49,610 50,386 102 485,579 484,952 100 October .......: 54,960 52,066 95 540,539 537,018 99 November ......: 47,043 48,113 102 587,582 585,131 100 December ......: 46,370 46,868 101 633,952 631,999 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2018-2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2019 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2018 :----------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : : 2019 : 2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 251 268 107 2,791 2,791 February ...............: 148 201 136 2,887 2,887 March ..................: 195 189 97 2,818 2,818 April ..................: 205 295 144 2,954 2,954 May ....................: 185 215 116 2,882 2,882 June ...................: 178 270 152 2,838 2,838 July ...................: 159 255 160 2,836 2,836 August .................: 263 194 74 2,476 September ..............: 150 286 191 2,524 October ................: 271 199 73 2,579 November ...............: 242 198 82 2,669 December ...............: 268 266 99 2,699 : Total ..................: 2,515 2,836 113 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For December 2019, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched June 2018 through May 2019. 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: 2019 and 2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2020 as Item : 2019 : 2020 : percent : : : of 2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------- 1,000 ------- percent : January ....................................................: 683,669 714,997 105 February ...................................................: 687,593 March ......................................................: 693,433 April ......................................................: 695,057 May ........................................................: 701,875 June .......................................................: 704,340 July .......................................................: 693,367 August .....................................................: 699,363 September ..................................................: 693,656 October ....................................................: 673,142 November ...................................................: 674,321 December ...................................................: 710,479 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: December 2018 and 2019 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During December : January-December :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2019 as : : : 2019 as : 2018 : 2019 : percent : 2018 : 2019 : percent : : : of 2018 : : : of 2018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ........................: 111,453 122,689 110 1,297,034 1,343,702 104 Arkansas .......................: 89,997 86,225 96 1,041,609 1,040,741 100 Delaware .......................: 17,820 20,577 115 217,845 225,270 103 Florida ........................: 4,459 4,324 97 49,705 50,828 102 Georgia ........................: 124,801 123,937 99 1,482,559 1,481,996 100 Kentucky .......................: 27,513 27,030 98 322,862 323,991 100 Louisiana ......................: 13,451 12,993 97 154,091 157,277 102 Maryland .......................: 29,385 29,431 100 349,579 343,890 98 Mississippi ....................: 69,038 67,823 98 800,980 802,159 100 Missouri .......................: 30,150 32,879 109 357,655 368,048 103 : North Carolina .................: 81,151 88,195 109 949,691 1,018,384 107 Oklahoma .......................: 27,505 27,391 100 322,355 321,046 100 Pennsylvania ...................: 19,646 21,967 112 236,858 235,522 99 South Carolina .................: 20,441 20,283 99 242,287 243,160 100 Texas ..........................: 58,500 64,070 110 689,929 737,731 107 Virginia .......................: 23,175 22,440 97 273,095 273,784 100 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia .............: 43,709 45,363 104 519,973 512,713 99 : Other States 2/ ................: 34,566 39,991 116 399,634 423,100 106 : United States ..................: 826,760 857,608 104 9,707,741 9,903,342 102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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: 2018-2019 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2019 as : : : 2019 as : 2018 : 2019 : percent : 2018 : 2019 : percent : : : of 2018 : : : of 2018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : January .......: 823,159 828,596 101 823,159 828,596 101 February ......: 735,151 749,845 102 1,558,310 1,578,441 101 March .........: 828,209 836,472 101 2,386,519 2,414,913 101 April .........: 803,046 817,559 102 3,189,565 3,232,472 101 May ...........: 839,138 855,746 102 4,028,703 4,088,218 101 June ..........: 822,100 832,018 101 4,850,803 4,920,236 101 July ..........: 844,737 848,560 100 5,695,540 5,768,796 101 August ........: 840,163 853,455 102 6,535,703 6,622,251 101 September .....: 787,754 813,807 103 7,323,457 7,436,058 102 October .......: 790,516 814,644 103 8,113,973 8,250,702 102 November ......: 767,008 795,032 104 8,880,981 9,045,734 102 December ......: 826,760 857,608 104 9,707,741 9,903,342 102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2018-2020 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2019 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2018 :----------------------------------- : 2018 : 2019 : : 2019 : 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements ..: January .................: 7,133 7,478 105 70,216 72,170 February ................: 7,579 7,882 104 70,100 73,411 March ...................: 8,088 8,222 102 70,500 73,604 April ...................: 7,688 7,339 95 71,182 73,624 May .....................: 8,282 8,767 106 71,318 73,677 June ....................: 8,319 8,717 105 71,640 73,936 July ....................: 7,473 8,510 114 72,147 74,372 August ..................: 8,343 8,094 97 72,314 September ...............: 8,277 8,615 104 71,895 October .................: 7,269 7,531 104 71,440 November ................: 7,901 8,141 103 71,306 December ................: 8,595 8,658 101 71,730 : Annual total ..............: 94,947 97,954 103 : Total placements 2/ : January .................: 8,817 8,957 102 February ................: 9,458 9,525 101 March ...................: 9,782 10,161 104 April ...................: 9,334 9,146 98 May .....................: 10,178 10,797 106 June ....................: 10,140 10,606 105 July ....................: 8,843 10,444 118 August ..................: 10,102 9,763 97 September ...............: 9,886 10,468 106 October .................: 8,971 9,063 101 November ................: 9,720 9,653 99 December ................: 10,470 10,420 100 : Annual total ..............: 115,701 119,003 103 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ For December 2019, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 2018 through May 2019. 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 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 1.1 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 403 million layers by more than 1.1 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 1.9 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 .................: 1.1 1.9 3,212 - 6,443 20 3 : : ------- million ------ : Eggs .........................: 1.1 1.9 77 - 178 20 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 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. 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@nass.usda.gov Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ..................................... (202) 692-0069 Tony Dorn, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section .................. (202) 690-3223 Holly Brenize - Poultry Slaughter......................................... (202) 720-0585 Alissa Cowell-Mytar - Cold Storage, Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses .. (202) 720-4751 Liana Cuffman - Catfish and Trout, Mink, Census of Aquaculture ........... (202) 720-8784 Fatema Haque - Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ........................... (202) 690-3244 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs, Egg Products ................................. (202) 690-3676 Adam Peters - Honey, Honey Bee Colonies .................................. (202) 690-3237 Takiyah Walker - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery ...................... (202) 720-6147 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: www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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