Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released May 23, 2011, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). April Egg Production Up Slightly United States egg production totaled 7.61 billion during April 2011, up slightly from last year. Production included 6.56 billion table eggs, and 1.06 billion hatching eggs, of which 987 million were broiler-type and 70 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during April 2011 averaged 340 million, down slightly from last year. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,236 eggs, up 1 percent from April 2010. All layers in the United States on May 1, 2011 totaled 339 million, down slightly from last year. The 339 million layers consisted of 281 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 54.7 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.93 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on May 1, 2011, averaged 74.3 eggs per 100 layers, up 2 percent from May 1, 2010. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 9 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during April 2011 totaled 43.4 million, down 9 percent from April 2010. Eggs in incubators totaled 40.8 million on May 1, 2011, down 2 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 287 thousand during April 2011, up 24 percent from April 2010. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during April 2011 totaled 780 million, up 2 percent from April 2010. Eggs in incubators totaled 649 million on May 1, 2011, up 1 percent from a year earlier. Leading breeders placed 6.90 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during April 2011, up 1 percent from April 2010. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2010-2011..................... 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2010-2011................................... 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 Forced Molt - United States: March-April 2010 and 2011.. 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: April-May 2010 and 2011.... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 2010 and 2011.............. 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During April 2010 and 2011.............. 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: March 2010 and 2011............................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: April 2010 and 2011............................... 11 Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2010-2011............................. 12 Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: May 1, 2010 and 2011................ 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2010 and 2011................................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: May 1, 2010 and 2011........................ 14 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2010-2011.......................................... 14 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2010-2011..................................................................... 15 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: May 1, 2010 and 2011.................... 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: April 2010 and 2011.......................... 16 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2010-2011...................................... 16 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2010-2011........................................................................... 17 Statistical Methodology.............................................................................. 18 Regional Listing..................................................................................... 19 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates................................................. 19 Information Contacts................................................................................. 19 Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2010-2011 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2010 : 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 340,936 342,661 January ......................: 340,596 341,701 February .....................: 340,486 339,338 March ........................: 342,098 340,461 April ........................: 341,318 340,468 May ..........................: 339,344 June .........................: 339,750 July .........................: 339,929 August .......................: 340,084 September ....................: 338,739 October ......................: 336,804 November .....................: 339,447 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December preceding year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2010-2011 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun. Totals may not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 7,853 7,920 6,779 6,850 1,074 1,070 January .......: 7,724 7,821 6,637 6,739 1,087 1,083 February ......: 6,935 7,006 5,950 6,029 985 976 March .........: 7,839 7,836 6,740 6,754 1,098 1,083 April .........: 7,578 7,612 6,503 6,555 1,075 1,057 May ...........: 7,716 6,607 1,109 June ..........: 7,484 6,415 1,069 July ..........: 7,719 6,610 1,109 August ........: 7,765 6,669 1,096 September .....: 7,514 6,464 1,050 October .......: 7,698 6,618 1,080 November ......: 7,573 6,538 1,036 During year ...: 91,398 78,530 12,868 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: March-April 2010 and 2011 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Item : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during March : All layers ................................1,000: 342,098 340,461 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 283,718 283,087 100 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,380 57,374 98 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,379 54,397 98 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 3,001 2,977 99 : Eggs per 100 layers during March : All layers ...............................number: 2,291 2,302 100 Table egg type .........................number: 2,376 2,386 100 Hatching egg type ......................number: 1,881 1,888 100 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 1,845 1,857 101 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 2,532 2,452 97 : Eggs produced during March : All layers ..............................million: 7,839 7,836 100 Table egg type ........................million: 6,740 6,754 100 Hatching egg type .....................million: 1,098 1,083 99 Broiler-type hatching ...............million: 1,022 1,010 99 Egg-type hatching ...................million: 76 73 96 : Layers on April 1 : All layers ................................1,000: 342,969 341,872 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 284,552 284,492 100 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,417 57,380 98 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,382 54,451 98 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 3,035 2,929 97 : Eggs per 100 layers on April 1 : All layers ...............................number: 74.8 74.5 100 Table egg type .........................number: 77.6 77.2 99 Hatching egg type ......................number: 61.0 60.8 100 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 60.0 59.8 100 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 80.6 79.8 99 : Forced molt layers on April 1 : Being molted ............................percent: 2.8 2.6 93 Molt completed ..........................percent: 21.3 20.0 94 : Layers sold for slaughter during March ......1,000: 14,677 13,753 94 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during March .1,000: 6,484 6,910 107 : Pullets on April 1 ..........................1,000: 102,204 106,319 104 : Pullets added during March 1/ ...............1,000: 23,833 25,258 106 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: April-May 2010 and 2011 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Item : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during April : All layers ................................1,000: 341,318 340,468 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 282,523 282,945 100 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,795 57,523 98 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,777 54,593 98 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 3,018 2,930 97 : Eggs per 100 layers during April : All layers ...............................number: 2,220 2,236 101 Table egg type .........................number: 2,302 2,317 101 Hatching egg type ......................number: 1,828 1,838 101 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 1,795 1,808 101 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 2,452 2,389 97 : Eggs produced during April : All layers ..............................million: 7,578 7,612 100 Table egg type ........................million: 6,503 6,555 101 Hatching egg type .....................million: 1,075 1,057 98 Broiler-type hatching ...............million: 1,001 987 99 Egg-type hatching ...................million: 74 70 95 : Layers on May 1 : All layers ................................1,000: 339,635 339,032 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 280,479 281,381 100 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 59,156 57,651 97 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 56,161 54,725 97 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 2,995 2,926 98 : Eggs per 100 layers on May 1 : All layers ...............................number: 73.2 74.3 102 Table egg type .........................number: 75.7 77.0 102 Hatching egg type ......................number: 60.9 61.2 100 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 59.8 60.3 101 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 80.8 77.9 96 : Forced molt layers on May 1 : Being molted ............................percent: 4.2 3.0 71 Molt completed ..........................percent: 21.5 20.0 93 : Layers sold for slaughter during April ......1,000: 14,452 13,689 95 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during April .1,000: 9,406 11,699 124 : Pullets on May 1 ............................1,000: 102,218 104,223 102 : Pullets added during April 1/ ...............1,000: 21,166 21,377 101 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 2010 and 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,340 1,399 9,792 9,777 1,848 1,882 Arkansas .......: 3,258 3,201 12,299 11,964 2,025 2,048 California .....: 19,233 19,019 19,542 19,324 2,374 2,339 Colorado .......: 3,192 3,366 3,702 3,816 2,485 2,358 Connecticut ....: 2,500 2,196 2,576 2,270 2,329 2,335 Florida ........: 9,272 9,123 9,560 9,468 2,385 2,324 Georgia ........: 8,816 8,855 17,610 17,178 2,220 2,206 Hawaii 1/ ......: 270 (NA) 315 (NA) 1,873 (NA) Illinois .......: 4,323 4,235 4,547 4,460 2,375 2,287 Indiana ........: 23,123 22,854 23,886 23,599 2,353 2,394 : Iowa ...........: 53,447 52,574 54,327 53,428 2,306 2,313 Maine ..........: 3,570 3,455 3,625 3,510 2,455 2,450 Maryland .......: 2,219 2,130 2,340 2,266 2,350 2,339 Michigan .......: 10,104 10,251 10,273 10,422 2,453 2,504 Minnesota ......: 9,953 9,984 10,453 10,448 2,325 2,297 Mississippi ....: 1,474 1,523 6,050 6,020 2,083 2,043 Missouri .......: 5,685 5,884 7,058 7,255 2,324 2,371 Nebraska .......: 9,382 9,380 9,432 9,430 2,439 2,492 New York .......: 3,713 4,005 3,943 4,236 2,485 2,502 North Carolina .: 5,920 5,839 13,358 13,310 2,089 2,029 : Ohio ...........: 27,616 26,783 28,119 27,291 2,272 2,371 Oregon .........: 2,449 2,292 2,581 2,413 2,441 2,528 Pennsylvania ...: 22,630 24,057 23,747 25,282 2,489 2,464 South Carolina .: 3,140 3,139 4,417 4,429 2,196 2,213 South Dakota ...: 2,390 2,267 2,430 2,307 2,387 2,471 Texas ..........: 13,411 13,872 17,957 18,309 2,300 2,288 Utah ...........: 3,403 3,451 3,433 3,481 2,243 2,471 Virginia .......: 1,172 1,167 3,006 2,947 2,063 1,934 Washington .....: 6,344 6,438 6,459 6,554 2,384 2,502 Wisconsin ......: 4,242 4,007 4,826 4,583 2,300 2,335 : Other States 2/ : 11,635 11,831 20,435 20,684 2,173 2,151 : United States ..: 279,226 278,577 342,098 340,461 2,291 2,302 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2011. 2/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During April 2010 and 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,338 1,359 9,855 9,650 1,847 1,845 Arkansas .......: 3,252 3,145 12,283 12,005 1,978 1,958 California .....: 19,205 19,355 19,513 19,659 2,255 2,314 Colorado .......: 3,227 3,518 3,766 3,987 2,363 2,282 Connecticut ....: 2,533 2,217 2,607 2,289 2,301 2,315 Florida ........: 9,065 9,232 9,382 9,569 2,238 2,236 Georgia ........: 8,609 8,502 17,462 16,979 2,107 2,114 Hawaii 1/ ......: 287 (NA) 332 (NA) 1,807 (NA) Illinois .......: 4,403 4,288 4,622 4,515 2,272 2,148 Indiana ........: 22,923 22,825 23,686 23,568 2,292 2,338 : Iowa ...........: 53,563 52,350 54,442 53,160 2,263 2,240 Maine ..........: 3,575 3,540 3,630 3,595 2,397 2,337 Maryland .......: 2,118 2,099 2,253 2,231 2,219 2,376 Michigan .......: 10,046 10,326 10,216 10,496 2,418 2,458 Minnesota ......: 9,865 9,883 10,355 10,350 2,231 2,280 Mississippi ....: 1,389 1,513 6,096 6,060 1,969 2,013 Missouri .......: 5,726 6,006 7,069 7,397 2,263 2,298 Nebraska .......: 9,368 9,271 9,418 9,321 2,389 2,425 New York .......: 3,560 3,838 3,787 4,065 2,403 2,411 North Carolina .: 6,008 5,926 13,586 13,330 1,987 1,980 : Ohio ...........: 27,372 26,904 27,880 27,422 2,217 2,265 Oregon .........: 2,498 2,106 2,646 2,244 2,419 2,540 Pennsylvania ...: 22,544 24,392 23,664 25,618 2,426 2,397 South Carolina .: 3,076 3,047 4,356 4,363 2,089 2,177 South Dakota ...: 2,336 2,331 2,376 2,371 2,273 2,320 Texas ..........: 13,510 13,628 18,090 18,097 2,184 2,210 Utah ...........: 3,433 3,420 3,463 3,450 2,195 2,377 Virginia .......: 1,232 1,082 3,041 2,904 1,973 1,963 Washington .....: 6,272 6,536 6,387 6,652 2,317 2,435 Wisconsin ......: 4,277 3,969 4,868 4,548 2,280 2,199 : Other States 2/ : 11,421 11,827 20,187 20,573 2,120 2,110 : United States ..: 278,031 278,435 341,318 340,468 2,220 2,236 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2011. 2/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: March 2010 and 2011 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 181 184 30 31 151 153 Arkansas ........: 249 245 84 79 165 166 California ......: 464 452 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 92 90 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 60 53 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 228 220 224 215 4 5 Georgia .........: 391 379 218 218 173 161 Hawaii 1/ .......: 5.9 (NA) 5.9 (NA) - (NA) Illinois ........: 108 102 105 99 3 3 Indiana .........: 562 565 548 551 14 14 : Iowa ............: 1,253 1,236 1,239 1,222 14 14 Maine ...........: 89 86 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 55 53 54 52 1 1 Michigan ........: 252 261 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 243 240 235 232 8 8 Mississippi .....: 126 123 38 38 88 85 Missouri ........: 164 172 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 230 235 230 235 - - New York ........: 98 106 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 279 270 145 138 134 132 : Ohio ............: 639 647 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 63 61 61 59 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 591 623 570 601 21 22 South Carolina ..: 97 98 75 75 22 23 South Dakota ....: 58 57 58 57 - - Texas ...........: 413 419 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 77 86 77 86 - - Virginia ........: 62 57 28 24 34 33 Washington ......: 154 164 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 111 107 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 2/ .: 444 445 304 309 140 137 : United States ...: 7,839 7,836 6,740 6,754 1,098 1,083 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2011. 2/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: April 2010 and 2011 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 182 178 31 31 151 147 Arkansas ........: 243 235 78 74 165 161 California ......: 440 455 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 89 91 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 60 53 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 210 214 206 208 4 6 Georgia .........: 368 359 200 202 168 157 Hawaii 1/ .......: 6.0 (NA) 6.0 (NA) - (NA) Illinois ........: 105 97 102 94 3 3 Indiana .........: 543 551 529 538 14 13 : Iowa ............: 1,232 1,191 1,218 1,178 14 13 Maine ...........: 87 84 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 50 53 49 51 1 2 Michigan ........: 247 258 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 231 236 223 228 8 8 Mississippi .....: 120 122 34 37 86 85 Missouri ........: 160 170 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 225 226 225 226 - - New York ........: 91 98 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 270 264 138 135 132 129 : Ohio ............: 618 621 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 64 57 62 55 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 574 614 554 592 20 22 South Carolina ..: 91 95 70 72 21 23 South Dakota ....: 54 55 54 55 - - Texas ...........: 395 400 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 76 82 76 82 - - Virginia ........: 60 57 27 24 33 33 Washington ......: 148 162 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 111 100 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 2/ .: 428 434 294 301 134 134 : United States ...: 7,578 7,612 6,503 6,555 1,075 1,057 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2011. 2/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2010-2011 [As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 2.7 2.8 20.8 21.3 February ...............: 3.6 3.6 20.3 20.3 March ..................: 3.2 3.1 21.2 20.2 April ..................: 2.8 2.6 21.3 20.0 May ....................: 4.2 3.0 21.5 20.0 June ...................: 3.3 22.7 July ...................: 3.3 22.5 August .................: 3.4 22.6 September ..............: 2.6 23.0 October ................: 4.4 21.7 November ...............: 2.7 22.5 December ...............: 1.8 22.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: May 1, 2010 and 2011 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 1.5 0.5 6.0 7.5 Arkansas ...............: 1.5 0.5 8.0 8.5 California .............: 10.0 2.5 25.5 26.0 Colorado ...............: 3.5 6.0 15.5 15.5 Connecticut ............: 3.0 9.0 18.0 17.0 Florida ................: 9.0 5.0 32.0 35.0 Georgia ................: 5.5 1.5 11.5 17.0 Hawaii 1/ ..............: 9.0 (NA) 48.5 (NA) Illinois ...............: 7.0 4.5 21.0 25.0 Indiana ................: 4.5 3.0 34.0 24.5 : Iowa ...................: 3.5 4.5 38.5 34.5 Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: 11.0 - 12.0 26.5 Michigan ...............: 5.5 3.0 23.0 11.5 Minnesota ..............: 4.0 6.0 23.0 25.0 Mississippi ............: 4.5 2.0 5.5 10.0 Missouri ...............: 2.5 - 22.0 19.5 Nebraska ...............: - - 2.0 4.0 New York ...............: 2.0 - 9.5 5.5 North Carolina .........: 2.5 - 9.5 17.5 : Ohio ...................: 3.5 3.5 22.0 18.0 Oregon .................: 8.0 5.0 29.5 19.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 2.0 1.0 12.0 9.5 South Carolina .........: 6.0 - 12.5 20.0 South Dakota ...........: 16.5 6.5 21.0 23.5 Texas ..................: 4.5 5.0 13.5 16.5 Utah ...................: 11.0 5.5 36.5 35.0 Virginia ...............: 7.5 3.0 13.0 5.5 Washington .............: 9.5 8.0 26.5 25.0 Wisconsin ..............: - 6.5 39.0 23.0 : Other States 2/ ........: 2.2 2.2 17.1 14.9 : United States ..........: 4.2 3.0 21.5 20.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. 1/ Included in Other States in 2011. 2/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2010 and 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Item : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on May 1 ..............................: 41,692 40,782 98 Chicks hatched during April ..............................: 47,558 43,429 91 Chicks hatched January through April .....................: 170,509 166,105 97 : Pullets hatched during April for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 232 287 124 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 3,318 3,161 95 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on May 1 ..............................: 644,848 649,093 101 Chicks hatched during April ..............................: 768,296 779,859 102 Chicks hatched January through April .....................: 3,031,716 3,063,663 101 : Pullets hatched during April for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 6,825 6,904 101 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 62,672 63,751 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2011 includes pullet chicks hatched October 2009 through September 2010. 2/ 2011 includes pullet chicks hatched January 2010 through September 2010. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: May 1, 2010 and 2011 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Region : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ---- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 5,098 3,831 75 East North Central ...........: 9,040 8,525 94 West North Central ...........: 8,761 9,326 106 South Atlantic ...............: 4,177 4,754 114 South Central ................: 5,938 6,120 103 West .........................: 8,678 8,226 95 : United States ................: 41,692 40,782 98 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2010-2011 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2011 as : : : 2011 as : 2010 : 2011 : percent : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 : : : of 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 38,819 41,366 107 38,819 41,366 107 February ......: 39,218 37,336 95 78,037 78,702 101 March .........: 44,914 43,974 98 122,951 122,676 100 April .........: 47,558 43,429 91 170,509 166,105 97 May ...........: 43,231 213,740 June ..........: 42,331 256,071 July ..........: 38,089 294,160 August ........: 37,014 331,174 September .....: 40,130 371,304 October .......: 41,300 412,604 November ......: 38,849 451,453 December ......: 37,759 489,212 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2010-2011 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2011 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2010 :----------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : : 2010 : 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 227 220 97 3,198 3,292 February ...............: 296 244 82 3,296 3,168 March ..................: 260 253 97 3,308 3,130 April ..................: 232 287 124 3,318 3,161 May ....................: 230 3,322 3,054 June ...................: 318 3,295 3,027 July ...................: 218 3,405 2,981 August .................: 253 3,392 2,974 September ..............: 251 3,432 2,922 October ................: 170 3,415 2,915 November ...............: 263 3,340 2,970 December ...............: 263 3,295 : Total ..................: 2,981 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For April 2011, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched October 2009 through September 2010. 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 - Regions and United States: May 1, 2010 and 2011 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Region : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ----- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 12,867 13,095 102 East North Central ...........: 12,665 12,573 99 West North Central ...........: 28,518 28,285 99 South Atlantic ...............: 236,594 242,249 102 South Central ................: 330,384 328,771 100 West .........................: 23,820 24,120 101 : United States ................: 644,848 649,093 101 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: April 2010 and 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During April : January-April :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2011 as : : : 2011 as : 2010 : 2011 : percent : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 : : : of 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 107,808 109,255 101 424,653 433,142 102 Arkansas .....................: 86,476 85,792 99 344,860 338,640 98 Delaware .....................: 13,553 14,072 104 48,448 57,047 118 Florida ......................: 4,627 4,889 106 18,709 18,904 101 Georgia ......................: 112,528 119,260 106 446,716 473,548 106 Kentucky .....................: 28,802 28,245 98 112,302 108,325 96 Louisiana ....................: 12,539 12,325 98 49,010 48,723 99 Maryland .....................: 32,231 27,848 86 126,886 108,967 86 Mississippi ..................: 70,156 71,435 102 276,805 275,366 99 North Carolina ...............: 66,671 72,817 109 266,300 284,301 107 : Oklahoma .....................: 25,440 25,781 101 99,318 99,679 100 Pennsylvania .................: 13,314 13,069 98 52,099 54,882 105 South Carolina ...............: 20,649 18,981 92 79,566 76,410 96 Texas ........................: 55,070 55,624 101 221,448 219,155 99 Virginia .....................: 22,891 23,366 102 89,519 88,459 99 California, Missouri, : Tennessee, and West Virginia : 69,660 70,858 102 272,504 276,322 101 : 19 States 1/ .................: 742,415 753,617 102 2,929,143 2,961,870 101 : Other States 2/ ..............: 25,881 26,242 101 102,573 101,793 99 : United States ................: 768,296 779,859 102 3,031,716 3,063,663 101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: 2010-2011 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2011 as : : : 2011 as : 2010 : 2011 : percent : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 : : : of 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : January .......: 775,431 781,123 101 775,431 781,123 101 February ......: 700,050 708,724 101 1,475,481 1,489,847 101 March .........: 787,939 793,957 101 2,263,420 2,283,804 101 April .........: 768,296 779,859 102 3,031,716 3,063,663 101 May ...........: 799,068 3,830,784 June ..........: 787,703 4,618,487 July ..........: 801,716 5,420,203 August ........: 798,751 6,218,954 September .....: 762,494 6,981,448 October .......: 768,094 7,749,542 November ......: 741,093 8,490,635 December ......: 786,440 9,277,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2010-2011 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2011 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2010 :----------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : : 2010 : 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements: January ..............: 6,637 6,989 105 62,833 62,996 February .............: 7,021 7,107 101 62,005 63,283 March ................: 6,673 7,058 106 62,142 63,250 April ................: 6,825 6,904 101 62,672 63,751 May ..................: 8,351 61,918 63,990 June .................: 7,128 62,049 64,558 July .................: 6,675 61,903 64,656 August ...............: 7,313 62,300 64,820 September ............: 7,128 61,663 63,576 October ..............: 6,876 61,179 63,506 November .............: 7,589 61,790 63,735 December .............: 6,771 62,978 : Annual total ...........: 84,987 : Total placements 2/ : January ..............: 8,626 8,548 99 February .............: 9,151 8,782 96 March ................: 9,033 9,023 100 April ................: 8,210 8,643 105 May ..................: 10,338 June .................: 9,055 July .................: 8,520 August ...............: 9,009 September ............: 9,087 October ..............: 8,553 November .............: 9,314 December .............: 8,596 : Annual total ...........: 107,492 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For April 2011, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched January 2010 through September 2010. 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 650 contractors, independent egg producers, and pullet only operations are contacted each month. All known hatcheries, approximately 300, are contacted for information on a weekly and/or monthly basis. 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 placed on feed 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 0.3 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 340 million layers by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.6 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 ...................: 0.3 0.6 1,080 51 2,021 23 1 : : ------- million ------ : Eggs .........................: 0.3 0.6 23 1 45 23 1 : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regional Listing North Atlantic: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont. East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota. South Atlantic: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas. West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. 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. 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 Doug Bounds - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ......... (202) 720-3106 David Colwell - Cold Storage ............................................. (202) 720-8784 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs ............................................... (202) 690-8632 Troy Marshall - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Honey ................ (202) 720-3244 Miste Salmon - Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Mink .. (202) 720-0585 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 "Receive NASS Updates" box under "Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports you would like to receive. Printed reports may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling toll-free (800) 999-6779, or (703) 605-6220 if calling from outside the United States or Canada. Accepted methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order. 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. 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