Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released January 23, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). December Egg Production Up 3 Percent United States egg production totaled 8.63 billion during December 2014, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 7.54 billion table eggs, and 1.09 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.02 billion were broiler-type and 75 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during December 2014 averaged 362 million, up 2 percent from last year. December egg production per 100 layers was 2,384 eggs, up 1 percent from December 2013. All layers in the United States on January 1, 2015 totaled 361 million, up 1 percent from last year. The 361 million layers consisted of 305 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 53.2 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.20 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on January 1, 2015, averaged 76.5 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from January 1, 2014. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 4 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during December 2014 totaled 43.0 million, up 4 percent from December 2013. Eggs in incubators totaled 42.1 million on January 1, 2015, up 2 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 248 thousand during December 2014, down 30 percent from December 2013. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during December 2014 totaled 796 million, up 3 percent from December 2013. Eggs in incubators totaled 644 million on January 1, 2015, up 2 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 7.03 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 2014, up 5 percent from December 2013. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2014-2015............................ 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2014-2015.......................................... 4 Average Number of Layers During the Month - United States................................................... 5 All Egg Production During the Month - United States......................................................... 5 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: November-December 2013 and 2014.......... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: December-January 2013-2015............... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During November 2013 and 2014.................. 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During December 2013 and 2014.................. 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: November 2013 and 2014................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: December 2013 and 2014................................... 11 Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2014-2015......................................... 12 Molted as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015........................ 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2014 and 2015.......................................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2013-2015................ 14 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2013-2014................................................. 14 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2013-2015.................................................................................... 15 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2013-2015............ 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: December 2013 and 2014.............................. 16 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2013-2014............................................. 16 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2013-2015.. 17 Statistical Methodology..................................................................................... 18 Regional Listing............................................................................................ 19 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates........................................................ 19 Information Contacts........................................................................................ 20 Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2014 : 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 356,527 362,035 January ......................: 355,205 February .....................: 354,349 March ........................: 355,618 April ........................: 356,988 May ..........................: 356,510 June .........................: 355,724 July .........................: 356,631 August .......................: 357,646 September ....................: 357,965 October ......................: 358,267 November .....................: 360,530 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December preceding year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2014-2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 8,387 8,632 7,320 7,542 1,068 1,091 January .......: 8,297 7,222 1,076 February ......: 7,452 6,482 969 March .........: 8,324 7,252 1,073 April .........: 8,117 7,074 1,042 May ...........: 8,335 7,244 1,093 June ..........: 8,054 6,992 1,062 July ..........: 8,395 7,296 1,100 August ........: 8,394 7,298 1,097 September .....: 8,094 7,033 1,061 October .......: 8,435 7,340 1,096 November ......: 8,325 7,268 1,058 During year ...: 98,609 85,821 12,795 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: November-December 2013 and 2014 [Totals may not add due to rounding] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : 2014 as Item : 2013 : 2014 : percent : : : of 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Layers during November : All layers ....................................1,000: 354,968 360,530 102 Table egg type ..............................1,000: 300,002 304,567 102 Hatching egg type ...........................1,000: 54,966 55,963 102 Broiler-type hatching .....................1,000: 51,795 53,027 102 Egg-type hatching .........................1,000: 3,171 2,936 93 : Eggs per 100 layers during November : All layers ...................................number: 2,281 2,309 101 Table egg type .............................number: 2,355 2,386 101 Hatching egg type ..........................number: 1,881 1,891 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................number: 1,853 1,861 100 Egg-type hatching ........................number: 2,334 2,418 104 : Eggs produced during November : All layers ..................................million: 8,098 8,325 103 Table egg type ............................million: 7,064 7,268 103 Hatching egg type .........................million: 1,034 1,058 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................million: 960 987 103 Egg-type hatching .......................million: 74 71 96 : Layers on December 1 : All layers ....................................1,000: 356,923 362,809 102 Table egg type ..............................1,000: 301,650 306,726 102 Hatching egg type ...........................1,000: 55,273 56,083 101 Broiler-type hatching .....................1,000: 52,078 53,169 102 Egg-type hatching .........................1,000: 3,195 2,914 91 : Eggs per 100 layers on December 1 : All layers ...................................number: 76.1 77.2 101 Table egg type .............................number: 78.6 79.9 102 Hatching egg type ..........................number: 62.2 62.6 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................number: 61.3 61.6 100 Egg-type hatching ........................number: 75.8 79.7 105 : Molted layers on December 1 : Being molted ................................percent: 1.5 1.4 93 Molt completed ..............................percent: 18.4 19.5 106 : Layers sold for slaughter during November .......1,000: 13,431 13,641 102 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during November ..1,000: 6,068 7,413 122 : Pullets on December 1 ...........................1,000: 106,020 105,822 100 : Pullets added during November 1/ ................1,000: 23,438 23,518 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 2013-2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2014 as Item : 2013 : 2014 : percent : : : of 2013 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during December : All layers ...................................1,000: 356,527 362,035 102 Table egg type .............................1,000: 301,038 305,770 102 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 55,489 56,265 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 52,378 53,204 102 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,111 3,061 98 : Eggs per 100 layers during December : All layers .................................number: 2,352 2,384 101 Table egg type ...........................number: 2,432 2,467 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,925 1,939 101 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,894 1,910 101 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,443 2,450 100 : Eggs produced during December : All layers .................................million: 8,387 8,632 103 Table egg type ...........................million: 7,320 7,542 103 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,068 1,091 102 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 992 1,016 102 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 76 75 99 :-------------------------------- : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 :-------------------------------- : Layers on January 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 356,101 361,240 101 Table egg type .............................1,000: 300,408 304,802 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 55,693 56,438 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 52,668 53,236 101 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,025 3,202 106 : Eggs per 100 layers on January 1 : All layers ..................................number: 75.6 76.5 101 Table egg type ............................number: 78.1 79.0 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 61.9 62.6 101 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 60.8 61.6 101 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 80.8 78.5 97 : Molted layers on January 1 : Percent being molted .......................percent: 2.6 2.0 77 Percent with molt completed ................percent: 18.2 18.5 102 : Layers sold for slaughter during December ......1,000: 13,121 14,284 109 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, : Composted or disappeared for any : Reason during December .......................1,000: 7,440 8,334 112 : Pullets on January 1 ...........................1,000: 107,787 107,359 100 : Pullets added during December 1/ ...............1,000: 22,555 23,926 106 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During November 2013 and 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,486 1,500 9,054 9,155 1,944 1,933 Arkansas .......: 3,614 3,866 12,328 13,026 2,020 2,011 California .....: 16,761 14,669 17,149 15,207 2,350 2,367 Colorado .......: 4,514 4,390 4,965 4,741 2,457 2,468 Connecticut ....: 2,249 2,249 2,338 2,341 2,267 2,264 Florida ........: 7,968 8,536 8,263 8,878 2,287 2,410 Georgia ........: 9,352 9,812 18,037 18,572 2,168 2,165 Illinois .......: 4,307 4,481 4,614 4,786 2,341 2,298 Indiana ........: 26,110 26,017 27,056 26,855 2,354 2,346 Iowa ...........: 57,010 58,334 57,951 59,315 2,280 2,318 : Maine ..........: 3,511 3,511 3,566 3,566 2,299 2,299 Maryland .......: 2,651 2,578 2,775 2,696 2,234 2,337 Michigan .......: 12,878 12,946 13,029 13,098 2,395 2,405 Minnesota ......: 9,954 10,733 10,386 11,143 2,301 2,333 Mississippi ....: 1,533 1,489 5,580 5,474 1,989 2,064 Missouri .......: 6,419 6,736 7,979 8,292 2,294 2,352 Nebraska .......: 9,279 9,447 9,329 9,497 2,455 2,506 New York .......: 4,571 4,582 4,806 4,798 2,455 2,480 North Carolina .: 5,933 6,546 13,137 14,094 2,032 2,086 Ohio ...........: 28,185 30,318 28,715 30,864 2,372 2,411 : Oregon .........: 2,152 2,126 2,222 2,196 2,610 2,596 Pennsylvania ...: 24,832 24,361 26,026 25,581 2,386 2,506 South Carolina .: 3,064 2,895 4,241 4,131 2,169 2,227 South Dakota ...: 2,732 2,473 2,772 2,513 2,417 2,388 Texas ..........: 14,946 15,163 18,805 18,986 2,249 2,270 Utah ...........: 3,871 4,417 3,901 4,447 2,435 2,429 Virginia .......: 1,201 1,223 2,785 2,831 2,154 2,190 Washington .....: 6,654 6,890 6,772 7,009 2,451 2,368 Wisconsin ......: 4,753 4,636 5,372 5,300 2,420 2,396 : Other States 1/ : 12,825 12,864 21,015 21,138 2,156 2,167 : United States ..: 295,315 299,788 354,968 360,530 2,281 2,309 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During December 2013 and 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,482 1,588 9,089 9,291 1,991 1,980 Arkansas .......: 3,602 3,786 12,374 12,895 2,085 2,102 California .....: 16,448 13,597 16,872 14,135 2,454 2,377 Colorado .......: 4,589 4,300 5,029 4,651 2,525 2,430 Connecticut ....: 2,326 2,326 2,415 2,419 2,319 2,315 Florida ........: 8,273 8,731 8,576 9,054 2,355 2,441 Georgia ........: 9,382 10,124 18,072 18,854 2,236 2,212 Illinois .......: 4,237 4,548 4,537 4,841 2,402 2,334 Indiana ........: 26,546 26,124 27,516 26,980 2,399 2,443 Iowa ...........: 57,246 58,725 58,173 59,743 2,341 2,424 : Maine ..........: 3,478 3,478 3,533 3,533 2,378 2,378 Maryland .......: 2,719 2,626 2,842 2,745 2,217 2,441 Michigan .......: 12,734 12,932 12,884 13,084 2,491 2,545 Minnesota ......: 10,163 11,108 10,563 11,516 2,367 2,449 Mississippi ....: 1,532 1,514 5,693 5,584 2,020 2,113 Missouri .......: 6,453 6,837 8,066 8,423 2,368 2,446 Nebraska .......: 9,257 9,464 9,307 9,514 2,493 2,554 New York .......: 4,579 4,719 4,810 4,939 2,516 2,571 North Carolina .: 5,863 6,724 13,160 14,332 2,150 2,198 Ohio ...........: 28,051 30,203 28,585 30,723 2,480 2,451 : Oregon .........: 2,197 2,144 2,267 2,214 2,691 2,620 Pennsylvania ...: 24,791 24,320 26,008 25,581 2,495 2,580 South Carolina .: 3,221 3,012 4,416 4,256 2,242 2,185 South Dakota ...: 2,593 2,510 2,633 2,550 2,545 2,588 Texas ..........: 14,989 15,096 18,887 18,949 2,314 2,354 Utah ...........: 3,864 4,407 3,894 4,437 2,440 2,524 Virginia .......: 1,196 1,260 2,800 2,847 2,179 2,248 Washington .....: 6,756 7,051 6,873 7,169 2,401 2,455 Wisconsin ......: 4,725 4,811 5,381 5,474 2,546 2,448 : Other States 1/ : 12,973 12,924 21,272 21,302 2,228 2,239 : United States ..: 296,265 300,989 356,527 362,035 2,352 2,384 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: November 2013 and 2014 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production : Table eggs : Hatching eggs State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 176 177 35 36 141 141 Arkansas ........: 249 262 87 93 162 169 California ......: 403 360 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 122 117 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 53 53 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 189 214 185 209 4 5 Georgia .........: 391 402 227 236 164 166 Illinois ........: 108 110 103 105 5 5 Indiana .........: 637 630 619 614 18 16 Iowa ............: 1,321 1,375 1,307 1,359 14 16 : Maine ...........: 82 82 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 62 63 61 62 1 1 Michigan ........: 312 315 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 239 260 232 254 7 6 Mississippi .....: 111 113 36 37 75 76 Missouri ........: 183 195 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 229 238 229 238 - - New York ........: 118 119 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 267 294 137 156 130 138 Ohio ............: 681 744 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 58 57 58 57 - - Pennsylvania ....: 621 641 600 619 21 22 South Carolina ..: 92 92 72 70 20 22 South Dakota ....: 67 60 67 60 - - Texas ...........: 423 431 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 95 108 95 108 - - Virginia ........: 60 62 31 32 29 30 Washington ......: 166 166 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 130 127 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 453 458 323 330 130 129 : United States ...: 8,098 8,325 7,064 7,268 1,034 1,058 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: December 2013 and 2014 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production : Table eggs : Hatching eggs State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 181 184 35 39 146 145 Arkansas ........: 258 271 92 96 166 175 California ......: 414 336 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 127 113 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 56 56 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 202 221 198 216 4 5 Georgia .........: 404 417 234 247 170 170 Illinois ........: 109 113 104 108 5 5 Indiana .........: 660 659 642 643 18 16 Iowa ............: 1,362 1,448 1,348 1,432 14 16 : Maine ...........: 84 84 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 63 67 62 66 1 1 Michigan ........: 321 333 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 250 282 244 276 6 6 Mississippi .....: 115 118 37 39 78 79 Missouri ........: 191 206 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 232 243 232 243 - - New York ........: 121 127 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 283 315 148 173 135 142 Ohio ............: 709 753 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 61 58 61 58 - - Pennsylvania ....: 649 660 626 636 23 24 South Carolina ..: 99 93 79 71 20 22 South Dakota ....: 67 66 67 66 - - Texas ...........: 437 446 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 95 112 95 112 - - Virginia ........: 61 64 31 33 30 31 Washington ......: 165 176 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 137 134 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 474 477 341 344 134 134 : United States ...: 8,387 8,632 7,320 7,542 1,068 1,091 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 2.6 2.0 18.2 18.5 February ...............: 2.9 17.9 March ..................: 2.5 17.7 April ..................: 1.9 17.9 May ....................: 2.9 17.7 June ...................: 3.0 17.2 July ...................: 2.6 18.0 August .................: 3.2 18.1 September ..............: 2.9 18.9 October ................: 3.4 19.3 November ...............: 2.0 20.0 December ...............: 1.4 19.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Molted as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 1.0 1.5 4.5 7.5 Arkansas ...............: 1.5 2.0 10.5 14.0 California .............: 2.0 1.5 22.5 33.0 Colorado ...............: 6.0 - 14.5 21.5 Connecticut ............: - - 8.5 8.5 Florida ................: 7.0 3.0 31.0 40.5 Georgia ................: 0.5 1.5 14.0 18.0 Illinois ...............: - - 21.5 14.0 Indiana ................: 3.5 1.0 25.0 24.5 Iowa ...................: 4.0 4.0 26.5 24.5 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: - - 7.5 - Michigan ...............: 4.5 2.0 10.0 10.0 Minnesota ..............: 3.5 4.0 17.0 18.0 Mississippi ............: 1.0 1.5 9.5 14.0 Missouri ...............: 0.5 - 20.0 14.5 Nebraska ...............: 1.5 1.0 5.0 2.0 New York ...............: 0.5 - 5.0 7.0 North Carolina .........: - - 15.0 15.5 Ohio ...................: 2.0 2.0 20.0 21.5 : Oregon .................: 4.5 12.5 24.0 16.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 2.5 - 7.0 2.5 South Carolina .........: - - 11.0 8.0 South Dakota ...........: 8.0 - 4.5 7.5 Texas ..................: 3.5 3.5 26.0 30.5 Utah ...................: 3.0 1.0 35.5 28.5 Virginia ...............: - - 15.5 22.0 Washington .............: 5.5 3.0 24.0 17.5 Wisconsin ..............: 2.5 7.5 21.5 26.5 : Other States 1/ ........: 1.7 1.9 16.2 13.9 : United States ..........: 2.6 2.0 18.2 18.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2014 and 2015 [December preceding year] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on January 1 ..........................: 41,053 42,062 102 Chicks hatched during December ...........................: 41,144 42,977 104 Chicks hatched January through December ..................: 509,793 514,685 101 : Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 352 248 70 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 2,681 2,927 109 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on January 1 ..........................: 628,646 644,059 102 Chicks hatched during December ...........................: 774,784 795,735 103 Chicks hatched January through December ..................: 9,058,220 9,144,492 101 : Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 6,669 7,025 105 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 60,221 61,835 103 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched June 2013 through May 2014. 2/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched September 2013 through May 2014. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2013-2015 [See regional listing on page 19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : December 1 : 2014 as : January 1 : 2015 as Region :-----------------------------: percent :-----------------------------: percent : 2013 : 2014 : of 2013 : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent : North Atlantic .....: 5,158 5,450 106 5,772 5,837 101 East North Central .: 9,126 9,726 107 8,882 9,126 103 West North Central .: 9,893 11,651 118 9,993 11,738 117 South Atlantic .....: 5,232 4,099 78 4,430 4,527 102 South Central ......: 5,754 6,052 105 6,025 5,643 94 West ...............: 5,842 5,021 86 5,951 5,191 87 : United States ......: 41,005 41,999 102 41,053 42,062 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2013-2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2014 as : : : 2014 as : 2013 : 2014 : percent : 2013 : 2014 : percent : : : of 2013 : : : of 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 43,454 44,134 102 43,454 44,134 102 February ......: 41,840 40,323 96 85,294 84,457 99 March .........: 43,600 43,818 101 128,894 128,275 100 April .........: 45,423 45,115 99 174,317 173,390 99 May ...........: 49,468 49,003 99 223,785 222,393 99 June ..........: 41,584 43,470 105 265,369 265,863 100 July ..........: 39,225 42,123 107 304,594 307,986 101 August ........: 38,231 39,458 103 342,825 347,444 101 September .....: 41,668 43,309 104 384,493 390,753 102 October .......: 42,406 44,416 105 426,899 435,169 102 November ......: 41,750 36,539 88 468,649 471,708 101 December ......: 41,144 42,977 104 509,793 514,685 101 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2013-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2014 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2013 :----------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 350 270 77 2,714 2,947 February ...............: 224 243 108 2,710 2,955 March ..................: 172 235 137 2,716 2,863 April ..................: 233 243 104 2,780 2,987 May ....................: 175 224 128 2,744 3,206 June ...................: 152 172 113 2,680 3,178 July ...................: 267 275 103 2,866 3,074 August .................: 343 251 73 2,786 September ..............: 270 394 146 2,805 October ................: 150 369 246 2,868 November ...............: 178 150 84 2,878 December ...............: 352 248 70 2,927 : Total ..................: 2,866 3,074 107 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For December 2014, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched June 2013 through May 2014. The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2013-2015 [See regional listing on page 19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : December 1 : 2014 as : January 1 : 2015 as Region :-----------------------------: percent :-----------------------------: percent : 2013 : 2014 : of 2013 : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent : North Atlantic .....: 14,272 14,744 103 13,941 14,477 104 East North Central .: 13,765 14,257 104 13,861 14,175 102 West North Central .: 30,737 30,074 98 30,337 30,091 99 South Atlantic .....: 242,131 252,445 104 242,365 250,734 103 South Central ......: 306,808 314,577 103 306,472 312,116 102 West ...............: 22,219 24,661 111 21,670 22,466 104 : United States ......: 629,932 650,758 103 628,646 644,059 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: December 2013 and 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During December : January-December :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2014 as : : : 2014 as : 2013 : 2014 : percent : 2013 : 2014 : percent : : : of 2013 : : : of 2013 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 104,644 106,778 102 1,216,781 1,237,861 102 Arkansas .....................: 78,922 80,963 103 935,617 918,344 98 Delaware .....................: 15,861 17,278 109 158,570 194,474 123 Florida ......................: 4,465 4,587 103 52,488 52,979 101 Georgia ......................: 122,616 126,432 103 1,435,956 1,466,683 102 Kentucky .....................: 28,545 28,265 99 332,784 332,969 100 Louisiana ....................: 14,136 14,134 100 156,621 165,527 106 Maryland .....................: 28,470 28,973 102 325,864 327,674 101 Mississippi ..................: 64,256 66,806 104 760,273 765,662 101 Missouri .....................: 31,879 30,692 96 362,248 362,271 100 : North Carolina ...............: 74,364 77,203 104 872,694 888,781 102 Oklahoma .....................: 24,900 24,349 98 283,102 286,273 101 Pennsylvania .................: 16,081 16,399 102 192,040 187,540 98 South Carolina ...............: 17,861 19,177 107 216,040 211,966 98 Texas ........................: 53,464 54,926 103 644,739 632,489 98 Virginia .....................: 24,002 23,957 100 282,152 285,807 101 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 40,974 44,860 109 490,919 483,814 99 : 19 States 1/ .................: 745,440 765,779 103 8,718,888 8,801,114 101 : Other States 2/ ..............: 29,344 29,956 102 339,332 343,378 101 : United States ................: 774,784 795,735 103 9,058,220 9,144,492 101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: 2013-2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2014 as : : : 2014 as : 2013 : 2014 : percent : 2013 : 2014 : percent : : : of 2013 : : : of 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : January .......: 765,973 770,893 101 765,973 770,893 101 February ......: 692,130 692,647 100 1,458,103 1,463,540 100 March .........: 773,426 769,818 100 2,231,529 2,233,358 100 April .........: 750,758 748,669 100 2,982,287 2,982,027 100 May ...........: 778,086 781,446 100 3,760,373 3,763,473 100 June ..........: 764,675 762,677 100 4,525,048 4,526,150 100 July ..........: 783,999 784,571 100 5,309,047 5,310,721 100 August ........: 777,124 788,385 101 6,086,171 6,099,106 100 September .....: 744,907 756,086 102 6,831,078 6,855,192 100 October .......: 739,167 760,593 103 7,570,245 7,615,785 101 November ......: 713,191 732,972 103 8,283,436 8,348,757 101 December ......: 774,784 795,735 103 9,058,220 9,144,492 101 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2013-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2014 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2013 :----------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements: January ..............: 6,303 6,470 103 60,546 62,018 February .............: 7,156 7,239 101 60,850 61,999 March ................: 6,589 6,790 103 61,214 62,220 April ................: 6,222 6,710 108 61,457 62,804 May ..................: 7,565 7,600 100 61,385 63,157 June .................: 7,011 7,094 101 61,444 63,509 July .................: 6,569 6,212 95 61,524 63,744 August ...............: 7,131 7,436 104 61,772 September ............: 6,911 7,253 105 61,446 October ..............: 6,231 6,823 110 61,225 November .............: 7,215 7,591 105 61,366 December .............: 6,669 7,025 105 61,835 : Annual total ...........: 81,572 84,243 103 : Total placements 2/ : January ..............: 8,012 8,077 101 February .............: 8,708 9,068 104 March ................: 8,277 8,702 105 April ................: 7,815 8,122 104 May ..................: 9,100 9,470 104 June .................: 8,860 9,021 102 July .................: 8,174 7,916 97 August ...............: 8,855 9,413 106 September ............: 8,635 9,228 107 October ..............: 7,856 8,288 105 November .............: 8,784 9,540 109 December .............: 8,398 8,901 106 : Annual total ...........: 101,474 105,746 104 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For December 2014, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 2013 through May 2014. 2/ United States production of intended placements worldwide. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Primary data for the Chickens and Eggs report are from weekly and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers. An attempt is made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known contractor and independent producer who has at least 30,000 table egg layers, flocks of hatchery supply layers, or pullet only operations with at least 500 pullets. Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated each month based on data reported in December. Approximately 500 contractors, independent egg producers, and pullet only operations are contacted each month. Data for broiler hatchery estimates are collected weekly from all broiler-type hatcheries that hatch at least one million chicks a year. Data for egg-type hatchery estimates are collected monthly from all egg-type hatcheries that hatch at least 50,000 chicks a year. Estimating Procedures: Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the reported data. All data are analyzed for unusual values. Data from each operation are compared to their own past operating profile and to trends from similar operations. Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar operations or historical data. NASS field offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications and historic trends. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness. Individual hatchery data are summed to State, regional, and United States totals. For chicken hatcheries, chicks hatched consist of all chicks of domesticated breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and research purposes. Eggs set are eggs in incubators for the purpose of hatching. The relationship of egg-type chicks hatched to chicken inventory and poultry marketings are carefully monitored. The disposition of egg-type chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory inconsistent over time. Broiler chicks placed are specifically for meat production. Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks expected from eggs sold the preceding month. The breeders in this report account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply flocks. Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the number of pullets available to hatchery supply layer flocks several months before the pullets will actually move into the laying flocks. "Hatchery Supply Flocks" include all generations of layers which could lay eggs to supply a hatchery. This includes the generations of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, pedigree, etc. Also included are research flocks, vaccine flocks, and specific pathogen-free flocks. The broiler cumulative potential placements are a moving total of the intended placements 7-15 months earlier. The egg-type cumulative potential placements of 7-18 months earlier represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements of egg-type hatching flocks. Revision Policy: The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late reports or corrected data indicates a different level. Additionally, revisions after the monthly report will be made at the end of the marketing year and published in the annual reports of Chickens and Eggs Summary and Hatchery Production Summary. Estimates will also be reviewed for chickens and eggs after data from the 5-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date. Reliability: Estimates are based on a census of all known contractors and independent producers who have at least 30,000 table egg layers, flocks of hatchery supply layers, pullet only operations with at least 500 pullets, or operating hatcheries and therefore, have no sampling error. However, estimates are subject to errors such as omission, duplication, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. While these errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized through strict quality controls in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the following table. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for all layers over the past 24 months is 1.3 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 362 million layers by more than 1.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 2.3 percent. Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past twenty-four months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent --------- 1,000 --------- ----- number ----- : All layers ...................: 1.3 2.3 4,224 36 6,250 22 2 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 1.4 2.4 101 1 169 23 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Regional Listing North Atlantic: Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri. South Atlantic: Florida, Georgia, Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas. West: California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon. Broiler-Type Regional Listing North Atlantic: New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri. South Atlantic: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas. West: California, Oregon, Washington. Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates All Layers includes both table egg and hatching egg flocks regardless of size. Intended Placements are reported by leading breeders. Coverage may not be 100 percent. Includes expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate of 125 pullet chicks per case of 30 dozen eggs. Molted Layers is the same data series as the previously published Forced Molt Layers. Nomenclature changed as of January 2015. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ..................................... (202) 720-3570 Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section .............. (202) 720-4447 Alissa Cowell-Mytar - Cold Storage ..................................... (202) 720-4751 Heidi Gleich - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery ...................... (202) 720-0585 Michael Klamm - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ..... (202) 690-3237 Tom Kruchten - Census of Aquaculture ................................... (202) 690-4870 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs ............................................. (202) 690-8632 Sammy Neal - Catfish Production, Egg Products, Mink, Trout Production .. (202) 720-3244 Joshua O'Rear - Honey .................................................. (202) 690-3676 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Follow NASS" box under "Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports you would like to receive. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.