Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released April 21, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). March Egg Production Up 1 Percent United States egg production totaled 8.53 billion during March 2015, up 1 percent from last year. Production included 7.42 billion table eggs, and 1.12 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.03 billion were broiler-type and 91 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during March 2015 averaged 362 million, up 1 percent from last year. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,358 eggs, up 1 percent from March 2014. All layers in the United States on April 1, 2015 totaled 361 million, up slightly from last year. The 361 million layers consisted of 303 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 54.5 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.53 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on April 1, 2015, averaged 76.8 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from April 1, 2014. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 14 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during March 2015 totaled 50.4 million, up 14 percent from March 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 49.0 million on April 1, 2015, up 13 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 304 thousand during March 2015, up 29 percent from March 2014. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during March 2015 totaled 791 million, up 3 percent from March 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 646 million on April 1, 2015, up 2 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 7.18 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during March 2015, up 6 percent from March 2014. 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: February-March 2014 and 2015............. 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: March-April 2014 and 2015................ 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2014 and 2015.................. 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 2014 and 2015..................... 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2014 and 2015................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: March 2014 and 2015...................................... 11 Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2014-2015......................................... 12 Molted as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: April 1, 2014 and 2015.......................... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2014 and 2015.......................................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015................ 14 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015................................................. 14 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2014-2015.................................................................................... 15 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015............ 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: March 2014 and 2015................................. 16 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015............................................. 16 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2014-2015.. 17 Statistical Methodology..................................................................................... 18 Regional Listing............................................................................................ 19 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates........................................................ 19 Information Contacts........................................................................................ 20 Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2014 : 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 360,673 365,691 January ......................: 359,556 363,732 February .....................: 358,967 362,338 March ........................: 359,955 361,830 April ........................: 360,826 May ..........................: 360,383 June .........................: 359,729 July .........................: 360,787 August .......................: 361,731 September ....................: 361,813 October ......................: 362,034 November .....................: 364,017 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December preceding year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2014-2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 8,489 8,731 7,422 7,633 1,068 1,098 January .......: 8,397 8,540 7,321 7,428 1,077 1,112 February ......: 7,551 7,620 6,579 6,615 972 1,006 March .........: 8,430 8,533 7,354 7,417 1,077 1,116 April .........: 8,205 7,160 1,045 May ...........: 8,428 7,336 1,094 June ..........: 8,151 7,091 1,060 July ..........: 8,503 7,404 1,100 August ........: 8,491 7,394 1,098 September .....: 8,186 7,126 1,060 October .......: 8,526 7,433 1,094 November ......: 8,411 7,353 1,058 During year ...: 99,768 86,971 12,803 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: February-March 2014 and 2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Layers during February : All layers ....................................1,000: 358,967 362,338 101 Table egg type ..............................1,000: 302,666 304,843 101 Hatching egg type ...........................1,000: 56,301 57,495 102 Broiler-type hatching .....................1,000: 52,990 53,929 102 Egg-type hatching .........................1,000: 3,311 3,566 108 : Eggs per 100 layers during February : All layers ...................................number: 2,104 2,103 100 Table egg type .............................number: 2,174 2,170 100 Hatching egg type ..........................number: 1,726 1,750 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................number: 1,695 1,717 101 Egg-type hatching ........................number: 2,235 2,243 100 : Eggs produced during February : All layers ..................................million: 7,551 7,620 101 Table egg type ............................million: 6,579 6,615 101 Hatching egg type .........................million: 972 1,006 103 Broiler-type hatching ...................million: 898 926 103 Egg-type hatching .......................million: 74 80 108 : Layers on March 1 : All layers ....................................1,000: 359,078 362,525 101 Table egg type ..............................1,000: 303,008 305,059 101 Hatching egg type ...........................1,000: 56,070 57,466 102 Broiler-type hatching .....................1,000: 52,823 53,905 102 Egg-type hatching .........................1,000: 3,247 3,561 110 : Eggs per 100 layers on March 1 : All layers ...................................number: 75.3 75.2 100 Table egg type .............................number: 77.8 77.7 100 Hatching egg type ..........................number: 61.9 62.3 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................number: 60.7 61.0 100 Egg-type hatching ........................number: 81.6 81.9 100 : Molted layers on March 1 : Being molted ................................percent: 2.4 1.9 79 Molt completed ..............................percent: 18.0 18.9 105 : Layers sold for slaughter during February .......1,000: 15,877 15,184 96 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during February ..1,000: 8,244 5,781 70 : Pullets on March 1 ..............................1,000: 107,660 109,252 101 : Pullets added during February 1/ ................1,000: 24,543 23,705 97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: March-April 2014 and 2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during March : All layers ...................................1,000: 359,955 361,830 101 Table egg type .............................1,000: 303,711 304,073 100 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 56,244 57,757 103 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 53,005 54,208 102 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,239 3,549 110 : Eggs per 100 layers during March : All layers ..................................number: 2,342 2,358 101 Table egg type ............................number: 2,421 2,439 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,915 1,932 101 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,877 1,891 101 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,532 2,564 101 : Eggs produced during March : All layers .................................million: 8,430 8,533 101 Table egg type ...........................million: 7,354 7,417 101 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,077 1,116 104 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 995 1,025 103 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 82 91 111 : Layers on April 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 360,800 361,115 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 304,398 303,076 100 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 56,402 58,039 103 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 53,174 54,505 103 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,228 3,534 109 : Eggs per 100 layers on April 1 : All layers ..................................number: 75.7 76.8 101 Table egg type ............................number: 78.4 79.6 102 Hatching egg type .........................number: 61.1 62.3 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.9 60.9 102 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 80.9 83.5 103 : Molted layers on April 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 1.9 2.0 105 Molt completed .............................percent: 17.9 17.9 100 : Layers sold for slaughter during March .........1,000: 13,410 17,636 132 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during March ....1,000: 7,895 7,866 100 : Pullets on April 1 .............................1,000: 107,290 109,296 102 : Pullets added during March 1/ ..................1,000: 24,201 25,125 104 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2014 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,502 1,475 9,292 9,208 1,722 1,759 Arkansas .......: 3,672 3,814 11,873 12,715 1,845 1,880 California .....: 16,261 12,835 16,691 13,329 2,127 2,153 Colorado .......: 4,472 3,830 4,847 4,203 2,269 2,284 Connecticut ....: 2,242 2,242 2,336 2,335 2,055 2,056 Florida ........: 8,193 8,681 8,578 9,061 2,133 2,086 Georgia ........: 9,289 9,857 18,200 18,744 1,978 1,953 Illinois .......: 4,423 4,210 4,894 4,663 2,166 2,230 Indiana ........: 26,491 25,744 27,434 26,616 2,183 2,006 Iowa ...........: 57,728 58,330 58,918 59,562 2,086 2,147 : Maine ..........: 3,503 3,503 3,558 3,558 2,192 2,192 Maryland .......: 2,546 2,629 2,709 2,795 2,178 2,182 Michigan .......: 12,724 12,894 12,962 13,147 2,245 2,236 Minnesota ......: 10,129 11,369 10,552 11,825 2,170 2,190 Mississippi ....: 1,530 1,564 5,801 5,755 1,862 1,877 Missouri .......: 6,248 6,526 8,556 8,776 2,069 2,097 Nebraska .......: 9,318 9,446 9,426 9,554 2,313 2,303 New York .......: 4,608 4,710 4,964 5,069 2,256 2,249 North Carolina .: 5,727 6,654 13,075 14,420 1,973 1,928 Ohio ...........: 28,948 29,936 29,800 30,798 2,211 2,175 : Oregon .........: 2,127 2,253 2,266 2,392 2,295 2,383 Pennsylvania ...: 23,842 23,657 25,777 25,768 2,254 2,301 South Carolina .: 3,024 3,173 4,260 4,456 1,995 2,065 South Dakota ...: 2,517 2,545 2,659 2,687 2,181 2,121 Texas ..........: 14,786 14,759 18,916 19,004 2,072 1,989 Utah ...........: 3,897 4,179 3,935 4,217 2,135 2,205 Virginia .......: 990 1,167 2,775 2,924 1,910 1,984 Washington .....: 6,662 7,056 6,827 7,221 2,109 2,160 Wisconsin ......: 4,274 4,586 5,048 5,366 2,080 2,199 : Other States 1/ : 13,008 13,138 22,038 22,170 1,992 2,021 : United States ..: 294,681 296,762 358,967 362,338 2,104 2,103 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 2014 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,465 1,465 9,273 9,278 1,920 1,951 Arkansas .......: 3,622 3,756 11,858 12,730 2,066 2,113 California .....: 16,402 12,718 16,832 13,212 2,412 2,422 Colorado .......: 4,497 3,926 4,871 4,338 2,546 2,444 Connecticut ....: 2,272 2,272 2,366 2,365 2,367 2,368 Florida ........: 8,181 8,755 8,548 9,148 2,422 2,405 Georgia ........: 9,585 9,875 18,395 18,813 2,196 2,158 Illinois .......: 4,547 4,373 5,015 4,820 2,413 2,344 Indiana ........: 26,473 25,416 27,392 26,327 2,461 2,355 Iowa ...........: 58,048 58,226 59,210 59,466 2,300 2,376 : Maine ..........: 3,496 3,496 3,551 3,551 2,450 2,450 Maryland .......: 2,569 2,444 2,742 2,608 2,407 2,454 Michigan .......: 13,044 12,255 13,282 12,508 2,582 2,542 Minnesota ......: 10,194 11,322 10,616 11,777 2,383 2,462 Mississippi ....: 1,530 1,542 5,848 5,749 2,052 2,122 Missouri .......: 6,402 6,590 8,675 8,828 2,282 2,390 Nebraska .......: 9,288 9,436 9,396 9,544 2,522 2,525 New York .......: 4,593 4,672 4,949 5,036 2,526 2,542 North Carolina .: 5,627 6,754 13,032 14,509 2,149 2,164 Ohio ...........: 29,224 30,275 30,085 31,137 2,463 2,438 : Oregon .........: 2,168 2,305 2,307 2,444 2,514 2,660 Pennsylvania ...: 23,458 23,617 25,373 25,671 2,503 2,598 South Carolina .: 2,968 3,165 4,210 4,466 2,185 2,284 South Dakota ...: 2,503 2,547 2,645 2,689 2,457 2,492 Texas ..........: 14,696 14,803 18,811 19,008 2,328 2,278 Utah ...........: 3,947 4,115 3,985 4,153 2,334 2,408 Virginia .......: 1,098 1,183 2,920 3,041 2,123 2,039 Washington .....: 6,594 6,994 6,759 7,158 2,397 2,445 Wisconsin ......: 4,223 4,575 4,997 5,356 2,241 2,409 : Other States 1/ : 12,994 13,120 22,012 22,100 2,208 2,240 : United States ..: 295,708 295,992 359,955 361,830 2,342 2,358 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2014 and 2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production : Table eggs : Hatching eggs State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 160 162 32 33 128 129 Arkansas ........: 219 239 80 87 139 152 California ......: 355 287 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 110 96 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 48 48 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 183 189 179 185 4 4 Georgia .........: 360 366 206 211 154 155 Illinois ........: 106 104 102 100 4 4 Indiana .........: 599 534 583 519 16 15 Iowa ............: 1,229 1,279 1,213 1,262 16 17 : Maine ...........: 78 78 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 59 61 58 60 1 1 Michigan ........: 291 294 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 229 259 224 253 5 6 Mississippi .....: 108 108 34 35 74 73 Missouri ........: 177 184 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 218 220 218 220 - - New York ........: 112 114 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 258 278 134 148 124 130 Ohio ............: 659 670 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 52 57 52 57 - - Pennsylvania ....: 581 593 556 565 25 28 South Carolina ..: 85 92 67 71 18 21 South Dakota ....: 58 57 58 57 - - Texas ...........: 392 378 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 84 93 84 93 - - Virginia ........: 53 58 24 29 29 29 Washington ......: 144 156 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 105 118 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 439 448 317 324 122 125 : United States ...: 7,551 7,620 6,579 6,615 972 1,006 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: March 2014 and 2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total production : Table eggs : Hatching eggs State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 178 181 38 37 140 144 Arkansas ........: 245 269 91 99 154 170 California ......: 406 320 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 124 106 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 56 56 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 207 220 202 216 5 4 Georgia .........: 404 406 236 235 168 171 Illinois ........: 121 113 116 109 5 4 Indiana .........: 674 620 657 602 17 18 Iowa ............: 1,362 1,413 1,345 1,394 17 19 : Maine ...........: 87 87 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 66 64 65 63 1 1 Michigan ........: 343 318 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 253 290 247 284 6 6 Mississippi .....: 120 122 38 41 82 81 Missouri ........: 198 211 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 237 241 237 241 - - New York ........: 125 128 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 280 314 143 170 137 144 Ohio ............: 741 759 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 58 65 58 65 - - Pennsylvania ....: 635 667 607 636 28 31 South Carolina ..: 92 102 71 78 21 24 South Dakota ....: 65 67 65 67 - - Texas ...........: 438 433 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 93 100 93 100 - - Virginia ........: 62 62 30 29 32 33 Washington ......: 162 175 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 112 129 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 486 495 351 360 136 135 : United States ...: 8,430 8,533 7,354 7,417 1,077 1,116 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 2.7 2.1 18.2 18.1 February ...............: 2.8 3.3 18.0 17.9 March ..................: 2.4 1.9 18.0 18.9 April ..................: 1.9 2.0 17.9 17.9 May ....................: 2.8 17.7 June ...................: 3.0 17.2 July ...................: 2.6 18.0 August .................: 3.3 18.0 September ..............: 2.9 18.9 October ................: 3.3 19.3 November ...............: 2.0 19.9 December ...............: 1.3 19.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Molted as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: April 1, 2014 and 2015 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 0.5 0.5 4.0 7.5 Arkansas ...............: 1.0 1.0 11.0 15.5 California .............: 3.5 1.0 27.5 32.0 Colorado ...............: 2.0 - 15.5 13.0 Connecticut ............: 8.0 8.0 16.5 16.5 Florida ................: 1.0 - 29.0 46.0 Georgia ................: 1.0 - 15.5 19.0 Illinois ...............: 4.0 1.5 14.0 9.0 Indiana ................: 1.0 1.5 24.0 25.5 Iowa ...................: 4.0 5.5 25.0 22.5 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: - - 3.5 - Michigan ...............: 1.5 - 8.5 11.0 Minnesota ..............: 3.0 3.0 17.5 17.5 Mississippi ............: 1.5 - 9.0 15.5 Missouri ...............: - - 21.5 17.0 Nebraska ...............: - - 3.0 1.5 New York ...............: - - 6.0 0.5 North Carolina .........: 0.5 0.5 13.0 13.5 Ohio ...................: 2.5 1.5 23.0 20.0 : Oregon .................: - 6.5 14.5 15.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 0.5 - 8.0 1.5 South Carolina .........: - - 10.5 9.5 South Dakota ...........: 6.5 6.5 15.0 7.5 Texas ..................: 0.5 1.5 25.0 34.5 Utah ...................: 5.5 4.5 31.0 29.0 Virginia ...............: - - 10.5 15.0 Washington .............: 4.0 6.0 21.0 21.0 Wisconsin ..............: - 9.0 22.0 19.5 : Other States 1/ ........: 2.2 1.2 13.5 10.6 : United States ..........: 1.9 2.0 17.9 17.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2014 and 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on April 1 ............................: 43,197 48,973 113 Chicks hatched during March ..............................: 44,233 50,405 114 Chicks hatched January through March .....................: 129,677 137,670 106 : Pullets hatched during March for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 235 304 129 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 2,716 2,863 105 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on April 1 ............................: 630,959 645,858 102 Chicks hatched during March ..............................: 771,618 791,085 103 Chicks hatched January through March .....................: 2,238,720 2,294,484 102 : Pullets hatched during March for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 6,790 7,175 106 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 61,214 62,220 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched September 2013 through August 2014. 2/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched December 2013 through August 2014. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015 [See regional listing on page 19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : March 1 : 2015 as : April 1 : 2015 as Region :-----------------------------: percent :-----------------------------: percent : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent : North Atlantic .....: 5,311 6,547 123 5,055 7,205 143 East North Central .: 9,192 10,610 115 10,139 10,709 106 West North Central .: 9,075 11,250 124 10,522 13,066 124 South Atlantic .....: 4,031 4,049 100 4,628 4,638 100 South Central ......: 5,808 5,862 101 6,016 6,232 104 West ...............: 5,992 7,746 129 6,837 7,123 104 : United States ......: 39,409 46,064 117 43,197 48,973 113 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2015 as : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 : : : of 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 44,458 44,174 99 44,458 44,174 99 February ......: 40,986 43,091 105 85,444 87,265 102 March .........: 44,233 50,405 114 129,677 137,670 106 April .........: 45,703 175,380 May ...........: 49,146 224,526 June ..........: 44,006 268,532 July ..........: 42,297 310,829 August ........: 39,803 350,632 September .....: 43,722 394,354 October .......: 44,468 438,822 November ......: 36,544 475,366 December ......: 42,980 518,346 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2015 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2014 :----------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 270 270 100 2,714 2,947 February ...............: 243 309 127 2,710 2,955 March ..................: 235 304 129 2,716 2,863 April ..................: 243 2,780 2,987 May ....................: 224 2,744 3,206 June ...................: 172 2,680 3,178 July ...................: 275 2,866 3,074 August .................: 251 2,786 3,074 September ..............: 394 2,805 3,140 October ................: 369 2,868 3,209 November ...............: 150 2,878 December ...............: 248 2,927 : Total ..................: 3,074 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For March 2015, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 2013 through August 2014. The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015 [See regional listing on page 19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : March 1 : 2015 as : April 1 : 2015 as Region :-----------------------------: percent :-----------------------------: percent : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent : North Atlantic .....: 13,358 14,368 108 13,930 14,128 101 East North Central .: 13,895 14,177 102 14,000 14,312 102 West North Central .: 30,873 29,869 97 30,362 30,262 100 South Atlantic .....: 243,143 246,995 102 244,732 248,624 102 South Central ......: 307,645 318,109 103 307,703 315,271 102 West ...............: 21,418 23,983 112 20,232 23,261 115 : United States ......: 630,332 647,501 103 630,959 645,858 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: March 2014 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During March : January-March :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2015 as : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 : : : of 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 104,730 108,391 103 303,615 311,765 103 Arkansas .....................: 75,638 79,865 106 221,756 232,032 105 Delaware .....................: 16,412 17,779 108 47,538 50,722 107 Florida ......................: 4,419 3,973 90 12,975 12,306 95 Georgia ......................: 122,507 121,253 99 357,179 360,164 101 Kentucky .....................: 27,449 28,123 102 80,684 83,061 103 Louisiana ....................: 14,450 14,217 98 41,703 41,313 99 Maryland .....................: 28,081 28,499 101 79,758 82,941 104 Mississippi ..................: 65,833 66,431 101 189,774 192,822 102 Missouri .....................: 31,556 29,719 94 91,237 87,606 96 : North Carolina ...............: 74,639 77,522 104 215,457 223,140 104 Oklahoma .....................: 24,185 23,862 99 71,309 68,165 96 Pennsylvania .................: 15,426 16,520 107 45,888 46,805 102 South Carolina ...............: 17,384 19,652 113 51,090 56,185 110 Texas ........................: 53,584 56,515 105 154,769 162,452 105 Virginia .....................: 24,222 24,590 102 69,061 70,498 102 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 41,840 44,954 107 120,414 127,343 106 : 19 States 1/ .................: 742,355 761,865 103 2,154,207 2,209,320 103 : Other States 2/ ..............: 29,263 29,220 100 84,513 85,164 101 : United States ................: 771,618 791,085 103 2,238,720 2,294,484 102 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program. 2/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2015 as : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 : : : of 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : January .......: 772,825 792,176 103 772,825 792,176 103 February ......: 694,277 711,223 102 1,467,102 1,503,399 102 March .........: 771,618 791,085 103 2,238,720 2,294,484 102 April .........: 750,447 2,989,167 May ...........: 783,136 3,772,303 June ..........: 764,412 4,536,715 July ..........: 785,896 5,322,611 August ........: 789,582 6,112,193 September .....: 757,650 6,869,843 October .......: 762,311 7,632,154 November ......: 732,978 8,365,132 December ......: 795,846 9,160,978 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2015 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2014 :----------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : : 2014 : 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements ..: January .................: 6,470 6,959 108 60,546 62,018 February ................: 7,239 7,921 109 60,850 61,999 March ...................: 6,790 7,175 106 61,214 62,220 April ...................: 6,710 61,457 62,804 May .....................: 7,600 61,385 63,157 June ....................: 7,094 61,444 63,509 July ....................: 6,212 61,524 63,514 August ..................: 7,436 61,772 63,763 September ...............: 7,253 61,446 64,084 October .................: 6,823 61,225 64,165 November ................: 7,591 61,366 December ................: 6,795 61,835 : Annual total ..............: 84,013 : Total placements 2/ .......: January .................: 8,077 8,382 104 February ................: 9,068 9,546 105 March ...................: 8,702 8,891 102 April ...................: 8,122 May .....................: 9,470 June ....................: 9,021 July ....................: 7,916 August ..................: 9,413 September ...............: 9,228 October .................: 8,288 November ................: 9,540 December ................: 8,649 : Annual total ..............: 105,494 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ For March 2015, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched December 2013 through August 2014. 2/ United States production of intended placements worldwide. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Primary data for the Chickens and Eggs report are from weekly and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers. An attempt is made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known contractor and independent producer who has at least 30,000 table egg layers, flocks of hatchery supply layers, or pullet only operations with at least 500 pullets. Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated each month based on data reported in December. Approximately 500 contractors, independent egg producers, and pullet only operations are contacted each month. Data for broiler hatchery estimates are collected weekly from all broiler-type hatcheries that hatch at least one million chicks a year. Data for egg-type hatchery estimates are collected monthly from all egg-type hatcheries that hatch at least 50,000 chicks a year. Estimating Procedures: Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the reported data. All data are analyzed for unusual values. Data from each operation are compared to their own past operating profile and to trends from similar operations. Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar operations or historical data. NASS field offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications and historic trends. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness. Individual hatchery data are summed to State, regional, and United States totals. For chicken hatcheries, chicks hatched consist of all chicks of domesticated breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and research purposes. Eggs set are eggs in incubators for the purpose of hatching. The relationship of egg-type chicks hatched to chicken inventory and poultry marketings are carefully monitored. The disposition of egg-type chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory inconsistent over time. Broiler chicks placed are specifically for meat production. Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks expected from eggs sold the preceding month. The breeders in this report account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply flocks. Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the number of pullets available to hatchery supply layer flocks several months before the pullets will actually move into the laying flocks. "Hatchery Supply Flocks" include all generations of layers which could lay eggs to supply a hatchery. This includes the generations of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, pedigree, etc. Also included are research flocks, vaccine flocks, and specific pathogen-free flocks. The broiler cumulative potential placements are a moving total of the intended placements 7-15 months earlier. The egg-type cumulative potential placements of 7-18 months earlier represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements of egg-type hatching flocks. Revision Policy: The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late reports or corrected data indicates a different level. Additionally, revisions after the monthly report will be made at the end of the marketing year and published in the annual reports of Chickens and Eggs Summary and Hatchery Production Summary. Estimates will also be reviewed for chickens and eggs after data from the 5-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date. Reliability: Estimates are based on a census of all known contractors and independent producers who have at least 30,000 table egg layers, flocks of hatchery supply layers, pullet only operations with at least 500 pullets, or operating hatcheries and therefore, have no sampling error. However, estimates are subject to errors such as omission, duplication, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. While these errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized through strict quality controls in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the following table. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for all layers over the past 24 months is 2.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 362 million layers by more than 2.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 3.8 percent. Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past twenty-four months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent --------- 1,000 --------- ----- number ----- : All layers ...................: 2.2 3.8 7,217 37 10,344 23 1 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 2.3 3.9 174 1 271 23 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Regional Listing North Atlantic: Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri. South Atlantic: Florida, Georgia, Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas. West: California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon. Broiler-Type Regional Listing North Atlantic: New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri. South Atlantic: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas. West: California, Oregon, Washington. Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates All Layers includes both table egg and hatching egg flocks regardless of size. Intended Placements are reported by leading breeders. Coverage may not be 100 percent. Includes expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate of 125 pullet chicks per case of 30 dozen eggs. Molted Layers is the same data series as the previously published Forced Molt Layers. Nomenclature changed as of January 2015. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to 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.