Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released February 29, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). January Egg Production Down Slightly United States egg production totaled 7.83 billion during January 2012, down slightly from last year. Production included 6.78 billion table eggs, and 1.05 billion hatching eggs, of which 972 million were broiler-type and 73 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during January 2012 averaged 338 million, down 1 percent from last year. January egg production per 100 layers was 2,319 eggs, up 1 percent from January 2011. All layers in the United States on February 1, 2012 totaled 337 million, down 1 percent from last year. The 337 million layers consisted of 284 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 50.5 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.97 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on February 1, 2012, averaged 73.4 eggs per 100 layers, down slightly from February 1, 2011. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 3 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during January 2012 totaled 40.3 million, down 3 percent from January 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 39.4 million on February 1, 2012, down 1 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 263 thousand during January 2012, up 20 percent from January 2011. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 4 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during January 2012 totaled 752 million, down 4 percent from January 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 602 million on February 1, 2012, down 5 percent from a year earlier. Leading breeders placed 6.71 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during January 2012, down 4 percent from January 2011. 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: January-February 2011 and 2012............................................................... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During December 2010 and 2011... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2011 and 2012.... 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: December 2010 and 2011.................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2011 and 2012..................... 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: February 1, 2011 and 2012... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012........................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: February 1, 2011 and 2012........... 14 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2011-2012.................................. 14 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2011-2012..................................................................... 15 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: February 1, 2011 and 2012....... 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: January 2011 and 2012................ 16 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2011-2012.............................. 16 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2011-2012............................................................................. 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/ ..................: 343,083 338,158 January ......................: 342,266 337,527 February .....................: 339,787 March ........................: 340,655 April ........................: 340,896 May ..........................: 337,897 June .........................: 336,411 July .........................: 335,799 August .......................: 335,412 September ....................: 335,328 October ......................: 335,884 November .....................: 337,716 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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/ ...: 7,927 7,932 6,845 6,894 1,083 1,038 January .......: 7,833 7,827 6,736 6,783 1,098 1,045 February ......: 7,013 6,022 990 March .........: 7,840 6,735 1,106 April .........: 7,617 6,534 1,083 May ...........: 7,773 6,651 1,123 June ..........: 7,503 6,421 1,083 July ..........: 7,732 6,633 1,100 August ........: 7,719 6,644 1,076 September .....: 7,503 6,476 1,028 October .......: 7,783 6,734 1,050 November ......: 7,612 6,605 1,007 During year ...: 91,855 79,036 12,827 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. 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: 343,083 338,158 99 Table egg type .............................1,000: 285,402 285,051 100 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 57,681 53,107 92 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 54,890 50,313 92 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,791 2,794 100 : Eggs per 100 layers during December : All layers .................................number: 2,311 2,346 102 Table egg type ...........................number: 2,398 2,419 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,878 1,955 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,853 1,924 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,365 2,505 106 : Eggs produced during December : All layers .................................million: 7,927 7,932 100 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,845 6,894 101 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,083 1,038 96 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,017 968 95 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 66 70 106 :-------------------------------- : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 :-------------------------------- : Layers on January 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 344,255 337,812 98 Table egg type .............................1,000: 285,880 284,600 100 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,375 53,212 91 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,531 50,409 91 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,844 2,803 99 : Eggs per 100 layers on January 1 : All layers ..................................number: 74.2 76.1 103 Table egg type ............................number: 77.0 78.5 102 Hatching egg type .........................number: 60.6 62.9 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.7 62.0 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 79.0 80.2 102 : Forced molt layers on January 1 : Percent being molted .......................percent: 2.8 2.8 100 Percent with molt completed ................percent: 21.2 19.9 94 : Layers sold for slaughter during December ......1,000: 13,589 13,286 98 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, : Composted or disappeared for any : Reason during December .......................1,000: 7,451 8,840 119 : Pullets on January 1 ...........................1,000: 105,214 102,505 97 : Pullets added during December 1/ ...............1,000: 23,982 23,434 98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: January-February 2011 and 2012 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Item : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during January : All layers ...................................1,000: 342,266 337,527 99 Table egg type .............................1,000: 284,068 284,187 100 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,198 53,340 92 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,278 50,450 91 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,920 2,890 99 : Eggs per 100 layers during January : All layers ..................................number: 2,289 2,319 101 Table egg type ............................number: 2,371 2,387 101 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,887 1,959 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,858 1,927 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,432 2,526 104 : Eggs produced during January : All layers .................................million: 7,833 7,827 100 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,736 6,783 101 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,098 1,045 95 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,027 972 95 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 71 73 103 : Layers on February 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 340,247 337,210 99 Table egg type .............................1,000: 282,245 283,757 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,002 53,453 92 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,013 50,483 92 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,989 2,970 99 : Eggs per 100 layers on February 1 : All layers ..................................number: 73.5 73.4 100 Table egg type ............................number: 76.1 75.3 99 Hatching egg type .........................number: 60.8 63.3 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.8 62.1 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 79.9 82.4 103 : Forced molt layers on February 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 3.6 4.8 133 Molt completed .............................percent: 20.2 18.9 94 : Layers sold for slaughter during January .......1,000: 14,593 13,481 92 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during January ..1,000: 7,759 8,527 110 : Pullets on February 1 ..........................1,000: 107,964 102,229 95 : Pullets added during January 1/ ................1,000: 21,499 21,857 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. 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 9,524 8,998 1,953 2,000 Arkansas .......: 3,423 3,513 12,612 11,822 2,022 2,115 California .....: 19,034 19,351 19,341 19,697 2,316 2,351 Colorado .......: 3,252 4,306 3,628 4,778 2,453 2,491 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 ........: 8,841 8,101 17,503 16,270 2,240 2,262 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 2,355 : Maine ..........: 3,559 3,511 3,614 3,566 2,407 2,356 Maryland .......: 2,122 1,907 2,254 2,030 2,351 2,512 Michigan .......: 10,119 10,646 10,269 10,796 2,454 2,519 Minnesota ......: 9,990 9,550 10,449 10,052 2,412 2,417 Mississippi ....: 1,451 1,523 6,002 5,697 2,033 2,141 Missouri .......: 6,092 5,526 7,640 6,958 2,264 2,386 Nebraska .......: 9,321 9,013 9,371 9,063 2,476 2,593 New York .......: 4,108 4,302 4,335 4,529 2,514 2,495 North Carolina .: 5,776 5,798 13,334 12,706 2,077 2,101 Ohio ...........: 28,050 27,794 28,550 28,314 2,378 2,373 : Oregon .........: 2,212 2,129 2,350 2,257 2,468 2,614 Pennsylvania ...: 24,023 24,085 25,158 25,284 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 14,280 18,622 17,993 2,331 2,445 Utah ...........: 3,366 3,504 3,396 3,534 2,385 2,434 Virginia .......: 1,191 1,303 2,951 3,022 2,101 2,118 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 12,325 20,553 20,279 2,185 2,135 : United States ..: 280,842 280,448 343,083 338,158 2,311 2,346 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2011 and 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,304 1,434 9,626 9,023 1,901 1,962 Arkansas .......: 3,432 3,439 12,460 11,637 2,014 2,088 California .....: 18,979 19,250 19,284 19,598 2,271 2,317 Colorado .......: 3,230 4,347 3,613 4,792 2,436 2,421 Connecticut ....: 2,256 2,244 2,318 2,306 2,330 2,298 Florida ........: 9,165 9,401 9,534 9,718 2,444 2,428 Georgia ........: 8,744 8,027 17,545 16,241 2,183 2,229 Illinois .......: 4,438 4,199 4,650 4,408 2,473 2,473 Indiana ........: 23,091 22,779 23,788 23,468 2,333 2,331 Iowa ...........: 52,510 50,807 53,349 51,732 2,315 2,324 : Maine ..........: 3,557 3,507 3,612 3,562 2,381 2,386 Maryland .......: 1,997 1,840 2,115 1,956 2,364 2,556 Michigan .......: 10,046 10,666 10,207 10,828 2,410 2,521 Minnesota ......: 9,923 9,599 10,397 10,105 2,318 2,345 Mississippi ....: 1,452 1,420 6,019 5,650 1,994 2,106 Missouri .......: 6,029 5,305 7,651 6,721 2,287 2,410 Nebraska .......: 9,266 9,054 9,316 9,104 2,480 2,559 New York .......: 4,063 4,288 4,290 4,516 2,471 2,480 North Carolina .: 5,766 5,789 13,451 12,727 2,044 2,090 Ohio ...........: 27,853 27,716 28,363 28,248 2,316 2,312 : Oregon .........: 2,123 2,172 2,276 2,313 2,504 2,594 Pennsylvania ...: 24,066 24,414 25,246 25,578 2,464 2,459 South Carolina .: 3,056 3,145 4,312 4,317 2,226 2,270 South Dakota ...: 2,351 2,370 2,391 2,410 2,384 2,365 Texas ..........: 14,153 14,247 18,568 18,048 2,278 2,366 Utah ...........: 3,337 3,488 3,367 3,518 2,228 2,274 Virginia .......: 1,098 1,248 2,818 2,929 2,129 2,048 Washington .....: 6,315 6,773 6,431 6,888 2,457 2,381 Wisconsin ......: 4,080 4,289 4,612 4,854 2,407 2,390 : Other States 1/ : 11,828 12,327 20,657 20,332 2,188 2,199 : United States ..: 279,508 279,584 342,266 337,527 2,289 2,319 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 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 .........: 186 180 34 38 152 142 Arkansas ........: 255 250 86 89 169 161 California ......: 448 463 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 89 119 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 56 55 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 238 247 232 242 6 5 Georgia .........: 392 368 223 205 169 163 Illinois ........: 110 110 107 107 3 3 Indiana .........: 554 541 542 530 12 11 Iowa ............: 1,227 1,228 1,215 1,212 12 16 : Maine ...........: 87 84 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 53 51 52 49 1 2 Michigan ........: 252 272 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 252 243 244 234 8 9 Mississippi .....: 122 122 37 40 85 82 Missouri ........: 173 166 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 232 235 232 235 - - New York ........: 109 113 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 277 267 143 140 134 127 Ohio ............: 679 672 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 58 59 56 57 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 626 621 607 599 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 64 30 32 32 32 Washington ......: 157 166 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 113 120 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 449 433 311 308 139 126 : United States ...: 7,927 7,932 6,845 6,894 1,083 1,038 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2011 and 2012 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 183 177 30 35 153 142 Arkansas ........: 251 243 83 84 168 159 California ......: 438 454 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 88 116 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 54 53 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 233 236 227 231 6 5 Georgia .........: 383 362 214 198 169 164 Illinois ........: 115 109 112 106 3 3 Indiana .........: 555 547 542 535 13 12 Iowa ............: 1,235 1,202 1,223 1,186 12 16 : Maine ...........: 86 85 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 50 50 49 48 1 2 Michigan ........: 246 273 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 241 237 233 228 8 9 Mississippi .....: 120 119 35 36 85 83 Missouri ........: 175 162 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 231 233 231 233 - - New York ........: 106 112 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 275 266 138 138 137 128 Ohio ............: 657 653 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 57 60 55 58 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 622 629 601 607 21 22 South Carolina ..: 96 98 74 77 22 21 South Dakota ....: 57 57 57 57 - - Texas ...........: 423 427 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 75 80 75 80 - - Virginia ........: 60 60 28 28 32 32 Washington ......: 158 164 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 111 116 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 452 447 312 322 141 126 : United States ...: 7,833 7,827 6,736 6,783 1,098 1,045 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 2.8 21.2 19.9 February ...............: 3.6 4.8 20.2 18.9 March ..................: 3.0 20.1 April ..................: 2.6 20.0 May ....................: 3.0 20.0 June ...................: 3.8 19.5 July ...................: 3.5 19.6 August .................: 3.6 19.5 September ..............: 3.2 20.3 October ................: 3.9 20.4 November ...............: 2.5 21.2 December ...............: 1.7 21.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forced Molt as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: February 1, 2011 and 2012 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 2.0 3.5 5.0 6.5 Arkansas ...............: 1.0 3.0 12.0 8.5 California .............: 7.5 7.0 27.0 26.5 Colorado ...............: - 6.5 24.0 12.0 Connecticut ............: - - 7.5 8.5 Florida ................: 3.5 8.5 34.5 31.0 Georgia ................: 2.5 3.5 17.5 11.0 Illinois ...............: 6.5 5.0 28.5 25.5 Indiana ................: 6.0 6.5 21.0 31.5 Iowa ...................: 3.5 5.0 34.5 32.0 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: 7.5 9.0 27.5 4.5 Michigan ...............: 1.0 6.5 20.5 17.0 Minnesota ..............: 5.0 4.5 22.5 21.5 Mississippi ............: 3.5 4.0 8.0 9.5 Missouri ...............: 5.0 4.5 17.5 15.5 Nebraska ...............: 1.0 - 2.5 2.0 New York ...............: 1.0 2.5 13.0 8.5 North Carolina .........: 3.0 2.5 15.0 14.5 Ohio ...................: 5.5 4.5 16.0 9.5 : Oregon .................: 4.0 11.0 19.5 31.5 Pennsylvania ...........: 1.0 2.5 10.5 8.5 South Carolina .........: - 3.5 19.5 13.5 South Dakota ...........: 4.0 8.5 32.5 9.5 Texas ..................: 3.5 5.0 17.5 20.5 Utah ...................: 8.0 13.0 32.0 27.0 Virginia ...............: - 6.0 20.5 10.0 Washington .............: 5.0 12.0 32.0 27.0 Wisconsin ..............: 9.5 5.5 23.5 29.5 : Other States 1/ ........: 2.2 4.0 14.7 18.0 : United States ..........: 3.6 4.8 20.2 18.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Item : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------- 1,000 ------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on February 1 .........................: 39,701 39,379 99 Chicks hatched during January ............................: 41,366 40,277 97 : Pullets hatched during January for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 220 263 120 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 3,292 2,920 89 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on February 1 .........................: 634,192 602,319 95 Chicks hatched during January ............................: 781,123 751,870 96 : Pullets hatched during January for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 6,989 6,711 96 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 62,996 64,366 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched July 2010 through June 2011. 2/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched October 2010 through June 2011. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: February 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ---- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 5,141 5,141 100 East North Central ...........: 8,007 7,846 98 West North Central ...........: 8,340 8,661 104 South Atlantic ...............: 4,413 4,497 102 South Central ................: 5,362 5,135 96 West .........................: 8,438 8,099 96 : United States ................: 39,701 39,379 99 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2011-2012 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2012 as : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 : : : of 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 41,366 40,277 97 41,366 40,277 97 February ......: 37,336 78,702 March .........: 43,974 122,676 April .........: 43,429 166,105 May ...........: 43,305 209,410 June ..........: 39,313 248,723 July ..........: 37,405 286,128 August ........: 41,564 327,692 September .....: 40,298 367,990 October .......: 37,845 405,835 November ......: 37,508 443,343 December ......: 38,879 482,222 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2011-2012 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2012 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2011 :----------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 220 263 120 3,292 2,920 February ...............: 244 3,168 2,936 March ..................: 253 3,130 2,994 April ..................: 287 3,161 2,995 May ....................: 196 3,054 3,091 June ...................: 302 3,027 3,046 July ...................: 234 2,981 3,060 August .................: 311 2,974 3,103 September ..............: 252 2,922 October ................: 266 2,915 November ...............: 218 2,970 December ...............: 277 2,936 : Total ..................: 3,060 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For January 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched July 2010 through June 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: February 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ----- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 12,885 11,878 92 East North Central ...........: 11,863 12,553 106 West North Central ...........: 27,856 28,182 101 South Atlantic ...............: 236,620 229,206 97 South Central ................: 322,933 300,607 93 West .........................: 22,035 19,893 90 : United States ................: 634,192 602,319 95 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: January 2011 and 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During January : January-January :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2012 as : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 : : : of 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : Alabama ......................: 110,220 104,599 95 110,220 104,599 95 Arkansas .....................: 86,467 75,523 87 86,467 75,523 87 Delaware .....................: 15,165 12,132 80 15,165 12,132 80 Florida ......................: 4,707 4,890 104 4,707 4,890 104 Georgia ......................: 121,577 118,810 98 121,577 118,810 98 Kentucky .....................: 26,127 27,982 107 26,127 27,982 107 Louisiana ....................: 12,370 12,659 102 12,370 12,659 102 Maryland .....................: 27,561 27,329 99 27,561 27,329 99 Mississippi ..................: 70,294 66,547 95 70,294 66,547 95 Missouri .....................: 29,383 29,748 101 29,383 29,748 101 : North Carolina ...............: 72,310 74,034 102 72,310 74,034 102 Oklahoma .....................: 25,122 24,346 97 25,122 24,346 97 Pennsylvania .................: 14,506 14,125 97 14,506 14,125 97 South Carolina ...............: 19,920 19,322 97 19,920 19,322 97 Texas ........................: 58,140 53,842 93 58,140 53,842 93 Virginia .....................: 21,529 22,320 104 21,529 22,320 104 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 41,149 39,070 95 41,149 39,070 95 : 19 States 1/ .................: 756,547 727,278 96 756,547 727,278 96 : Other States 2/ ..............: 24,576 24,592 100 24,576 24,592 100 : United States ................: 781,123 751,870 96 781,123 751,870 96 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: 2011-2012 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2012 as : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 : : : of 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 781,123 751,870 96 781,123 751,870 96 February ......: 708,724 1,489,847 March .........: 793,957 2,283,804 April .........: 779,859 3,063,663 May ...........: 806,574 3,870,237 June ..........: 768,173 4,638,410 July ..........: 770,368 5,408,778 August ........: 760,882 6,169,660 September .....: 721,214 6,890,874 October .......: 717,354 7,608,228 November ......: 704,103 8,312,331 December ......: 760,188 9,072,519 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2011-2012 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2012 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2011 :----------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements: January ..............: 6,989 6,711 96 62,996 64,366 February .............: 7,107 63,283 63,934 March ................: 7,058 63,250 63,578 April ................: 7,044 63,751 63,464 May ..................: 7,721 63,990 62,764 June .................: 7,211 64,558 62,547 July .................: 6,444 64,656 61,927 August ...............: 7,233 64,820 61,594 September ............: 6,657 63,576 October ..............: 6,289 63,506 November .............: 6,890 63,875 December .............: 6,438 64,283 : Annual total ...........: 83,081 : Total placements 2/ : January ..............: 8,548 8,116 95 February .............: 8,782 March ................: 9,023 April ................: 8,944 May ..................: 9,612 June .................: 9,225 July .................: 8,131 August ...............: 8,700 September ............: 8,546 October ..............: 7,938 November .............: 8,489 December .............: 8,279 : Annual total ...........: 104,217 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For January 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched October 2010 through June 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 0.4 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 0.4 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 ...................: 0.4 0.6 988 25 2,138 19 5 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 0.3 0.6 20 1 39 19 5 : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised .. (202) 690-3237 David Colwell - Cold Storage ......................................... (202) 720-8784 Lakeya Jones - Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture, Honey, Egg Products, Mink .............. (202) 720-0585 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs ........................................... (202) 690-8632 Miste Salmon - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery .................... 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