Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released January 23, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). December Egg Production Up Slightly United States egg production totaled 7.93 billion during December 2011, up slightly from last year. Production included 6.89 billion table eggs, and 1.04 billion hatching eggs, of which 973 million were broiler-type and 68 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during December 2011 averaged 338 million, down 1 percent from last year. December egg production per 100 layers was 2,344 eggs, up 1 percent from December 2010. All layers in the United States on January 1, 2012 totaled 338 million, down 2 percent from last year. The 338 million layers consisted of 284 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 50.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.78 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on January 1, 2012, averaged 75.8 eggs per 100 layers, up 2 percent from January 1, 2011. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during December 2011 totaled 38.9 million, up 3 percent from December 2010. Eggs in incubators totaled 38.8 million on January 1, 2012, up slightly from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 277 thousand during December 2011, up 5 percent from December 2010. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 3 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during December 2011 totaled 760 million, down 3 percent from December 2010. Eggs in incubators totaled 634 million on January 1, 2012, down slightly from a year earlier. Leading breeders placed 6.44 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 2011, down 5 percent from December 2010. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2011-2012............. 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2011-2012........................... 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: November-December 2010 and 2011.............................................................. 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: November-December 2010 and 2011.............................................................. 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During November 2010 and 2011... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During December 2010 and 2011... 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: November 2010 and 2011.................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: December 2010 and 2011.................... 11 Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2011-2012..................... 12 Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012.... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012........................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012............ 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: January 1, 2011 and 2012........ 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: December 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: 2011-2012 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2011 : 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 342,661 338,209 January ......................: 341,701 February .....................: 339,338 March ........................: 340,461 April ........................: 340,688 May ..........................: 337,919 June .........................: 336,466 July .........................: 336,136 August .......................: 336,022 September ....................: 335,727 October ......................: 336,204 November .....................: 337,896 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December preceding year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2011-2012 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 7,920 7,929 6,850 6,888 1,070 1,041 January .......: 7,821 6,739 1,083 February ......: 7,006 6,029 976 March .........: 7,836 6,754 1,083 April .........: 7,617 6,555 1,062 May ...........: 7,777 6,671 1,107 June ..........: 7,505 6,438 1,068 July ..........: 7,740 6,656 1,085 August ........: 7,734 6,671 1,064 September .....: 7,510 6,494 1,017 October .......: 7,790 6,753 1,038 November ......: 7,612 6,609 1,003 During year ...: 91,868 79,219 12,656 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: November-December 2010 and 2011 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Item : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during November : All layers ................................1,000: 339,447 337,896 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 282,656 284,667 101 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 56,791 53,229 94 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 53,956 50,366 93 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 2,835 2,863 101 : Eggs per 100 layers during November : All layers ...............................number: 2,231 2,253 101 Table egg type .........................number: 2,313 2,322 100 Hatching egg type ......................number: 1,824 1,884 103 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 1,800 1,858 103 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 2,293 2,340 102 : Eggs produced during November : All layers ..............................million: 7,573 7,612 101 Table egg type ........................million: 6,538 6,609 101 Hatching egg type .....................million: 1,036 1,003 97 Broiler-type hatching ...............million: 971 936 96 Egg-type hatching ...................million: 65 67 103 : Layers on December 1 : All layers ................................1,000: 341,551 338,449 99 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 285,099 285,060 100 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 56,452 53,389 95 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 53,722 50,613 94 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 2,730 2,776 102 : Eggs per 100 layers on December 1 : All layers ...............................number: 74.9 75.3 101 Table egg type .........................number: 77.7 77.6 100 Hatching egg type ......................number: 60.6 62.8 104 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 59.9 61.9 103 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 75.2 79.5 106 : Forced molt layers on December 1 : Being molted ............................percent: 1.8 1.9 106 Molt completed ..........................percent: 22.5 20.9 93 : Layers sold for slaughter during November ...1,000: 11,515 13,076 114 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during November 1,0: 6,556 7,015 107 : Pullets on December 1 .......................1,000: 104,665 101,543 97 : Pullets added during November 1/ ............1,000: 22,652 20,559 91 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: December-January 2010-2012 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2011 as Item : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during December : All layers ...................................1,000: 342,661 338,209 99 Table egg type .............................1,000: 285,580 284,674 100 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 57,081 53,535 94 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 54,291 50,754 93 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,790 2,781 100 : Eggs per 100 layers during December : All layers .................................number: 2,311 2,344 101 Table egg type ...........................number: 2,399 2,420 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,875 1,945 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,851 1,917 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,330 2,445 105 : Eggs produced during December : All layers .................................million: 7,920 7,929 100 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,850 6,888 101 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,070 1,041 97 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,005 973 97 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 65 68 105 :-------------------------------- : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 :-------------------------------- : Layers on January 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 343,745 337,941 98 Table egg type .............................1,000: 286,047 284,274 99 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 57,698 53,667 93 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 54,855 50,885 93 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,843 2,782 98 : Eggs per 100 layers on January 1 : All layers ..................................number: 74.1 75.8 102 Table egg type ............................number: 76.9 78.3 102 Hatching egg type .........................number: 60.5 62.7 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.7 61.8 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 77.0 77.9 101 : Forced molt layers on January 1 : Percent being molted .......................percent: 2.8 2.7 96 Percent with molt completed ................percent: 21.3 20.0 94 : Layers sold for slaughter during December ......1,000: 13,497 13,580 101 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, : Composted or disappeared for any : Reason during December .......................1,000: 7,385 9,049 123 : Pullets on January 1 ...........................1,000: 104,270 102,013 98 : Pullets added during December 1/ ...............1,000: 23,722 23,364 98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During November 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 ........: 1,368 1,468 9,469 9,006 1,901 1,921 Arkansas .......: 3,356 3,524 12,301 11,563 1,959 2,032 California .....: 19,241 19,685 19,550 19,979 2,292 2,287 Colorado .......: 3,255 4,268 3,659 4,712 2,350 2,377 Connecticut ....: 2,248 2,167 2,315 2,233 2,289 2,284 Florida ........: 9,263 9,599 9,652 9,938 2,300 2,355 Georgia ........: 8,529 8,241 17,101 16,522 2,175 2,124 Hawaii 1/ ......: 311 (NA) 346 (NA) 1,705 (NA) Illinois .......: 4,347 4,348 4,557 4,554 2,260 2,350 Indiana ........: 22,387 22,120 23,101 22,778 2,277 2,243 : Iowa ...........: 51,745 52,256 52,632 53,193 2,210 2,241 Maine ..........: 3,524 3,547 3,579 3,602 2,347 2,249 Maryland .......: 2,065 1,892 2,215 2,029 2,167 2,366 Michigan .......: 10,000 10,574 10,150 10,724 2,424 2,378 Minnesota ......: 10,071 9,554 10,556 10,046 2,311 2,289 Mississippi ....: 1,433 1,519 5,969 5,593 1,994 2,038 Missouri .......: 6,038 5,580 7,308 6,921 2,217 2,211 Nebraska .......: 9,367 9,013 9,417 9,063 2,421 2,450 New York .......: 4,000 4,183 4,226 4,410 2,437 2,426 North Carolina .: 5,858 5,753 13,208 12,659 2,029 1,983 : Ohio ...........: 27,853 27,510 28,318 27,998 2,267 2,304 Oregon .........: 2,275 2,219 2,399 2,361 2,376 2,457 Pennsylvania ...: 23,589 23,776 24,690 24,996 2,406 2,396 South Carolina .: 3,033 3,155 4,312 4,221 2,203 2,180 South Dakota ...: 2,349 2,391 2,389 2,431 2,344 2,427 Texas ..........: 14,044 14,349 18,355 18,221 2,277 2,343 Utah ...........: 3,369 3,479 3,399 3,509 2,354 2,394 Virginia .......: 1,284 1,217 3,030 2,881 2,013 2,187 Washington .....: 6,365 6,733 6,480 6,848 2,114 2,366 Wisconsin ......: 4,192 4,346 4,720 4,905 2,309 2,345 : Other States 2/ : 11,395 11,691 20,044 20,000 2,105 2,120 : United States ..: 278,154 280,157 339,447 337,896 2,231 2,253 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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 December 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 ........: 1,365 1,496 9,529 8,989 1,952 1,991 Arkansas .......: 3,423 3,513 12,327 11,822 2,028 2,115 California .....: 19,511 19,313 19,818 19,607 2,316 2,382 Colorado .......: 3,243 4,306 3,619 4,778 2,459 2,449 Connecticut ....: 2,342 2,279 2,405 2,342 2,328 2,348 Florida ........: 9,407 9,679 9,794 10,003 2,430 2,469 Georgia ........: 8,601 8,361 17,222 16,530 2,236 2,263 Illinois .......: 4,390 4,253 4,600 4,464 2,391 2,464 Indiana ........: 22,898 22,414 23,596 23,076 2,348 2,344 Iowa ...........: 52,526 51,239 53,363 52,135 2,299 2,329 : Maine ..........: 3,559 3,511 3,614 3,566 2,407 2,356 Maryland .......: 2,122 1,907 2,254 2,031 2,351 2,511 Michigan .......: 10,119 10,646 10,269 10,796 2,454 2,519 Minnesota ......: 9,990 9,550 10,449 10,052 2,412 2,388 Mississippi ....: 1,451 1,523 6,002 5,697 2,033 2,141 Missouri .......: 6,092 5,526 7,445 6,948 2,270 2,375 Nebraska .......: 9,321 9,013 9,371 9,063 2,476 2,593 New York .......: 4,108 4,287 4,335 4,514 2,514 2,481 North Carolina .: 5,776 5,798 13,252 12,706 2,083 2,101 Ohio ...........: 28,050 27,832 28,525 28,327 2,380 2,376 : Oregon .........: 2,212 2,129 2,350 2,257 2,468 2,614 Pennsylvania ...: 24,023 24,050 25,158 25,249 2,488 2,456 South Carolina .: 3,030 3,152 4,270 4,303 2,272 2,277 South Dakota ...: 2,346 2,444 2,386 2,484 2,473 2,375 Texas ..........: 14,244 14,297 18,622 18,010 2,331 2,443 Utah ...........: 3,366 3,504 3,396 3,534 2,385 2,434 Virginia .......: 1,191 1,281 2,926 3,000 2,119 2,100 Washington .....: 6,378 6,713 6,493 6,828 2,418 2,431 Wisconsin ......: 4,198 4,312 4,720 4,878 2,394 2,460 : Other States 1/ : 11,788 11,836 20,551 20,220 2,180 2,191 : United States ..: 281,070 280,164 342,661 338,209 2,311 2,344 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: November 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 .........: 180 173 34 35 146 138 Arkansas ........: 241 235 81 83 160 152 California ......: 448 457 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 86 112 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 53 51 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 222 234 216 229 6 5 Georgia .........: 372 351 208 193 164 158 Hawaii 1/ .......: 5.9 (NA) 5.9 (NA) - (NA) Illinois ........: 103 107 100 104 3 3 Indiana .........: 526 511 515 500 11 11 : Iowa ............: 1,163 1,192 1,150 1,176 13 16 Maine ...........: 84 81 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 48 48 46 46 2 2 Michigan ........: 246 255 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 244 230 236 222 8 8 Mississippi .....: 119 114 36 36 83 78 Missouri ........: 162 153 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 228 222 228 222 - - New York ........: 103 107 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 268 251 141 129 127 122 : Ohio ............: 642 645 (D) (D) (D) (D) Oregon ..........: 57 58 55 56 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 594 599 577 579 17 20 South Carolina ..: 95 92 73 73 22 19 South Dakota ....: 56 59 56 59 - - Texas ...........: 418 427 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 80 84 80 84 - - Virginia ........: 61 63 30 32 31 31 Washington ......: 137 162 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 109 115 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 2/ .: 422 424 292 298 131 127 : United States ...: 7,573 7,612 6,538 6,609 1,036 1,003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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: December 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 .........: 186 179 34 38 152 141 Arkansas ........: 250 250 86 89 164 161 California ......: 459 467 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 89 117 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 56 55 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 238 247 232 242 6 5 Georgia .........: 385 374 217 211 168 163 Illinois ........: 110 110 107 107 3 3 Indiana .........: 554 541 542 530 12 11 Iowa ............: 1,227 1,214 1,215 1,198 12 16 : Maine ...........: 87 84 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 53 51 52 49 1 2 Michigan ........: 252 272 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 252 240 244 231 8 9 Mississippi .....: 122 122 37 40 85 82 Missouri ........: 169 165 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 232 235 232 235 - - New York ........: 109 112 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 276 267 143 140 133 127 Ohio ............: 679 673 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 58 59 56 57 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 626 620 607 598 19 22 South Carolina ..: 97 98 75 78 22 20 South Dakota ....: 59 59 59 59 - - Texas ...........: 434 440 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 81 86 81 86 - - Virginia ........: 62 63 30 31 32 32 Washington ......: 157 166 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 113 120 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 448 443 311 313 137 131 : United States ...: 7,920 7,929 6,850 6,888 1,070 1,041 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2011-2012 [As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 2.8 2.7 21.3 20.0 February ...............: 3.6 20.3 March ..................: 3.1 20.2 April ..................: 2.6 20.0 May ....................: 3.0 20.0 June ...................: 3.8 19.4 July ...................: 3.5 19.5 August .................: 3.6 19.3 September ..............: 3.3 20.0 October ................: 3.9 20.0 November ...............: 2.5 21.2 December ...............: 1.9 20.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 1.0 - 5.5 7.0 Arkansas ...............: 1.5 1.0 12.0 8.0 California .............: 5.5 5.0 28.0 26.0 Colorado ...............: 4.0 - 28.5 14.5 Connecticut ............: - - 7.5 8.0 Florida ................: 1.0 5.0 39.0 40.0 Georgia ................: 2.5 1.0 18.5 12.5 Illinois ...............: - - 28.5 26.0 Indiana ................: 3.5 3.0 24.0 33.0 Iowa ...................: 3.5 6.0 35.5 32.5 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: 3.0 9.0 24.0 8.0 Michigan ...............: 3.5 0.5 19.5 17.0 Minnesota ..............: 3.0 2.5 24.0 24.0 Mississippi ............: 2.0 0.5 9.5 12.5 Missouri ...............: 5.0 - 17.5 18.5 Nebraska ...............: 1.0 - 2.5 2.0 New York ...............: 2.5 1.5 10.5 7.0 North Carolina .........: 0.5 - 16.0 16.0 Ohio ...................: 4.0 4.0 18.0 9.5 : Oregon .................: 4.5 3.0 25.0 37.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 1.5 1.0 9.5 10.5 South Carolina .........: 3.5 - 18.0 14.0 South Dakota ...........: 2.5 10.5 37.0 15.5 Texas ..................: 2.0 - 20.0 23.5 Utah ...................: 8.5 4.5 36.0 34.0 Virginia ...............: 3.0 - 17.5 14.5 Washington .............: 5.0 7.0 32.0 30.0 Wisconsin ..............: 2.5 6.0 25.5 26.0 : Other States 1/ ........: 1.8 2.1 14.8 15.1 : United States ..........: 2.8 2.7 21.3 20.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012 [December preceding year] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Item : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on January 1 ..........................: 38,693 38,818 100 Chicks hatched during December ...........................: 37,759 38,879 103 Chicks hatched January through December ..................: 489,212 482,222 99 : Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 263 277 105 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 3,295 2,936 89 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on January 1 ..........................: 635,068 633,902 100 Chicks hatched during December ...........................: 786,440 760,188 97 Chicks hatched January through December ..................: 9,277,075 9,072,519 98 : Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 6,771 6,438 95 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 62,978 64,283 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched June 2010 through May 2011. 2/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched September 2010 through May 2011. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ---- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 4,688 4,904 105 East North Central ...........: 7,508 6,517 87 West North Central ...........: 8,413 8,901 106 South Atlantic ...............: 5,645 4,756 84 South Central ................: 5,223 5,557 106 West .........................: 7,216 8,183 113 : United States ................: 38,693 38,818 100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2010-2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 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 43,305 100 213,740 209,410 98 June ..........: 42,331 39,313 93 256,071 248,723 97 July ..........: 38,089 37,405 98 294,160 286,128 97 August ........: 37,014 41,564 112 331,174 327,692 99 September .....: 40,130 40,298 100 371,304 367,990 99 October .......: 41,300 37,845 92 412,604 405,835 98 November ......: 38,849 37,508 97 451,453 443,343 98 December ......: 37,759 38,879 103 489,212 482,222 99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 : : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 227 220 97 3,292 2,920 February ...............: 296 244 82 3,168 2,936 March ..................: 260 253 97 3,130 2,994 April ..................: 232 287 124 3,161 2,995 May ....................: 230 196 85 3,054 3,091 June ...................: 318 302 95 3,027 3,046 July ...................: 218 234 107 2,981 3,060 August .................: 253 311 123 2,974 September ..............: 251 252 100 2,922 October ................: 170 266 156 2,915 November ...............: 263 218 83 2,970 December ...............: 263 277 105 2,936 : Total ..................: 2,981 3,060 103 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For December 2011, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched June 2010 through May 2011. 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: January 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ----- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 12,875 13,251 103 East North Central ...........: 12,327 11,776 96 West North Central ...........: 28,776 29,593 103 South Atlantic ...............: 236,998 241,514 102 South Central ................: 321,807 314,811 98 West .........................: 22,285 22,957 103 : United States ................: 635,068 633,902 100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: December 2010 and 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During December : January-December :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2011 as : : : 2011 as : 2010 : 2011 : percent : 2010 : 2011 : percent : : : of 2010 : : : of 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 109,235 104,652 96 1,304,132 1,255,769 96 Arkansas .....................: 86,488 76,645 89 1,044,356 963,674 92 Delaware .....................: 15,253 11,449 75 163,120 148,978 91 Florida ......................: 4,743 4,943 104 57,225 57,693 101 Georgia ......................: 121,481 118,803 98 1,382,425 1,412,274 102 Kentucky .....................: 27,721 27,922 101 337,663 332,266 98 Louisiana ....................: 12,782 12,636 99 149,469 147,041 98 Maryland .....................: 26,902 27,135 101 350,528 328,342 94 Mississippi ..................: 69,813 68,700 98 834,019 820,223 98 Missouri .....................: 30,294 30,321 100 347,562 341,963 98 : North Carolina ...............: 74,013 74,553 101 840,501 860,070 102 Oklahoma .....................: 24,610 24,697 100 298,401 294,848 99 Pennsylvania .................: 14,313 14,024 98 160,894 165,777 103 South Carolina ...............: 19,890 19,305 97 243,128 229,125 94 Texas ........................: 59,429 54,829 92 685,270 649,155 95 Virginia .....................: 21,922 22,507 103 274,551 266,970 97 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 41,656 41,505 100 497,324 490,167 99 : 19 States 1/ .................: 760,545 734,626 97 8,970,568 8,764,335 98 : Other States 2/ ..............: 25,895 25,562 99 306,507 308,184 101 : United States ................: 786,440 760,188 97 9,277,075 9,072,519 98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 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 ...........: 799,068 806,574 101 3,830,784 3,870,237 101 June ..........: 787,703 768,173 98 4,618,487 4,638,410 100 July ..........: 801,716 770,368 96 5,420,203 5,408,778 100 August ........: 798,751 760,882 95 6,218,954 6,169,660 99 September .....: 762,494 721,214 95 6,981,448 6,890,874 99 October .......: 768,094 717,354 93 7,749,542 7,608,228 98 November ......: 741,093 704,103 95 8,490,635 8,312,331 98 December ......: 786,440 760,188 97 9,277,075 9,072,519 98 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 : : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements: January ..............: 6,637 6,989 105 62,996 64,366 February .............: 7,021 7,107 101 63,283 63,934 March ................: 6,673 7,058 106 63,250 63,578 April ................: 6,825 7,044 103 63,751 63,464 May ..................: 8,351 7,721 92 63,990 62,764 June .................: 7,128 7,211 101 64,558 62,547 July .................: 6,675 6,444 97 64,656 61,927 August ...............: 7,313 7,233 99 64,820 September ............: 7,128 6,657 93 63,576 October ..............: 6,876 6,289 91 63,506 November .............: 7,589 6,890 91 63,875 December .............: 6,771 6,438 95 64,283 : Annual total ...........: 84,987 83,081 98 : Total placements 2/ : January ..............: 8,626 8,548 99 February .............: 9,151 8,782 96 March ................: 9,033 9,023 100 April ................: 8,210 8,944 109 May ..................: 10,338 9,612 93 June .................: 9,055 9,225 102 July .................: 8,520 8,131 95 August ...............: 9,009 8,700 97 September ............: 9,087 8,546 94 October ..............: 8,553 7,938 93 November .............: 9,314 8,489 91 December .............: 8,596 8,279 96 : Annual total ...........: 107,492 104,217 97 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For December 2011, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 2010 through May 2011. 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 338 million layers by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.5 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 0.5 793 11 1,789 20 4 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 0.3 0.5 17 1 33 20 4 : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Cody Brokmeyer - Honey, Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ................. (202) 690-3237 David Colwell - Cold Storage ............................................................... (202) 720-8784 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs ................................................................. (202) 690-8632 Miste Salmon - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Mink .. 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