Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released March 22, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). February Egg Production Up 3 Percent United States egg production totaled 7.24 billion during February 2012, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 6.25 billion table eggs, and 987 million hatching eggs, of which 914 million were broiler-type and 73 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during February 2012 averaged 338 million, down slightly from last year. February egg production per 100 layers was 2,140 eggs, up 4 percent from February 2011. All layers in the United States on March 1, 2012 totaled 339 million, down slightly from last year. The 339 million layers consisted of 285 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 50.8 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.10 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2012, averaged 74.0 eggs per 100 layers, up slightly from March 1, 2011. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 5 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during February 2012 totaled 39.3 million, up 5 percent from February 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 39.3 million on March 1, 2012, down 2 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 238 thousand during February 2012, down 2 percent from February 2011. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 1 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during February 2012 totaled 705 million, down 1 percent from February 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 611 million on March 1, 2012, down 5 percent from a year earlier. Leading breeders placed 7.03 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 2012, down 1 percent from February 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: January-February 2011 and 2012............................................................... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: February-March 2011 and 2012................................................................. 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2011 and 2012.... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2011 and 2012... 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2011 and 2012..................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 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: March 1, 2011 and 2012...... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012........................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: March 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: March 1, 2011 and 2012.......... 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: February 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 ......................: 342,266 337,618 February .....................: 339,787 338,219 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 7,831 6,736 6,786 1,098 1,046 February ......: 7,013 7,237 6,022 6,249 990 987 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: 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: 342,266 337,618 99 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 284,068 284,287 100 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,198 53,331 92 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,278 50,441 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 1,961 104 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 1,858 1,929 104 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 2,432 2,526 104 : Eggs produced during January : All layers ..............................million: 7,833 7,831 100 Table egg type ........................million: 6,736 6,786 101 Hatching egg type .....................million: 1,098 1,046 95 Broiler-type hatching ...............million: 1,027 973 95 Egg-type hatching ...................million: 71 73 103 : Layers on February 1 : All layers ................................1,000: 340,247 337,388 99 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 282,245 283,957 101 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,002 53,431 92 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,013 50,461 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 75.2 99 Hatching egg type ......................number: 60.8 63.3 104 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 59.8 62.2 104 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 79.9 82.3 103 : Forced molt layers on February 1 : Being molted ............................percent: 3.6 4.8 133 Molt completed ..........................percent: 20.2 18.8 93 : Layers sold for slaughter during January ....1,000: 14,593 13,459 92 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during January 1,00: 7,759 8,504 110 : Pullets on February 1 .......................1,000: 107,964 103,145 96 : Pullets added during January 1/ .............1,000: 21,499 22,082 103 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: February-March 2011 and 2012 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Item : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during February : All layers ...................................1,000: 339,787 338,219 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 281,706 284,553 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,081 53,666 92 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,073 50,629 92 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,008 3,037 101 : Eggs per 100 layers during February : All layers ..................................number: 2,064 2,140 104 Table egg type ............................number: 2,138 2,196 103 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,705 1,839 108 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,676 1,805 108 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,227 2,404 108 : Eggs produced during February : All layers .................................million: 7,013 7,237 103 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,022 6,249 104 Hatching egg type ........................million: 990 987 100 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 923 914 99 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 67 73 109 : Layers on March 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 339,296 339,015 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 281,152 285,134 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,144 53,881 93 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,124 50,784 92 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,020 3,097 103 : Eggs per 100 layers on March 1 : All layers ..................................number: 73.9 74.0 100 Table egg type ............................number: 76.6 76.0 99 Hatching egg type .........................number: 60.7 63.3 104 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.7 62.1 104 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 78.5 82.3 105 : Forced molt layers on March 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 3.0 3.7 123 Molt completed .............................percent: 20.1 19.6 98 : Layers sold for slaughter during February ......1,000: 14,695 13,238 90 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during February .1,000: 9,082 6,648 73 : Pullets on March 1 .............................1,000: 106,044 103,541 98 : Pullets added during February 1/ ...............1,000: 22,004 22,585 103 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. 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 9,029 1,901 1,960 Arkansas .......: 3,432 3,439 12,460 11,790 2,014 2,087 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 9,715 2,444 2,429 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 22,951 23,788 23,640 2,333 2,331 Iowa ...........: 52,510 50,544 53,349 51,469 2,315 2,324 : Maine ..........: 3,557 3,507 3,612 3,562 2,381 2,386 Maryland .......: 1,997 1,840 2,115 1,957 2,364 2,555 Michigan .......: 10,046 10,857 10,207 11,019 2,410 2,523 Minnesota ......: 9,923 9,599 10,397 10,105 2,318 2,345 Mississippi ....: 1,452 1,420 6,019 5,579 1,994 2,115 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 12,634 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 2,957 2,129 2,063 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 20,302 2,188 2,202 : United States ..: 279,508 279,684 342,266 337,618 2,289 2,319 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 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 ........: 1,350 1,423 9,753 9,093 1,682 1,826 Arkansas .......: 3,244 3,475 12,224 11,917 1,841 1,947 California .....: 18,438 19,413 18,744 19,759 2,059 2,181 Colorado .......: 3,291 4,348 3,705 4,764 2,105 2,267 Connecticut ....: 2,171 2,202 2,239 2,270 2,099 2,159 Florida ........: 9,024 9,160 9,374 9,485 2,166 2,161 Georgia ........: 8,600 7,973 17,205 16,338 1,970 2,020 Illinois .......: 4,339 4,279 4,558 4,485 2,216 2,163 Indiana ........: 22,923 23,503 23,656 24,210 2,135 2,127 Iowa ...........: 52,180 50,231 53,056 51,196 2,086 2,160 : Maine ..........: 3,564 3,535 3,619 3,590 2,211 2,284 Maryland .......: 1,984 2,052 2,114 2,177 2,129 2,297 Michigan .......: 10,126 11,149 10,298 11,323 2,224 2,349 Minnesota ......: 9,968 9,474 10,445 9,975 2,011 2,105 Mississippi ....: 1,467 1,372 5,991 5,420 1,803 1,937 Missouri .......: 5,980 5,259 7,568 6,692 2,088 2,137 Nebraska .......: 9,309 9,176 9,359 9,226 2,244 2,320 New York .......: 4,076 4,302 4,307 4,531 2,275 2,295 North Carolina .: 5,887 5,768 13,528 12,613 1,863 1,895 Ohio ...........: 26,964 27,439 27,477 27,972 2,089 2,131 : Oregon .........: 2,219 2,128 2,356 2,281 2,207 2,455 Pennsylvania ...: 23,846 24,111 25,050 25,296 2,224 2,313 South Carolina .: 3,137 3,144 4,423 4,290 1,990 2,121 South Dakota ...: 2,308 2,331 2,348 2,371 2,129 2,193 Texas ..........: 14,033 14,513 18,395 18,396 2,033 2,158 Utah ...........: 3,420 3,526 3,450 3,556 2,058 2,109 Virginia .......: 1,150 1,213 2,894 2,906 1,762 1,927 Washington .....: 6,343 6,867 6,459 6,982 2,214 2,206 Wisconsin ......: 3,992 4,345 4,552 4,924 2,175 2,214 : Other States 1/ : 11,813 12,239 20,638 20,181 1,972 2,051 : United States ..: 277,146 279,950 339,787 338,219 2,064 2,140 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ........: 251 246 83 84 168 162 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 .........: 555 551 542 539 13 12 Iowa ............: 1,235 1,196 1,223 1,180 12 16 : Maine ...........: 86 85 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 50 50 49 48 1 2 Michigan ........: 246 278 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 241 237 233 228 8 9 Mississippi .....: 120 118 35 36 85 82 Missouri ........: 175 162 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 231 233 231 233 - - New York ........: 106 112 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 275 264 138 138 137 126 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 61 28 28 32 33 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 7,831 6,736 6,786 1,098 1,046 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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: February 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 .........: 164 166 26 31 138 135 Arkansas ........: 225 232 72 77 153 155 California ......: 386 431 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 78 108 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 47 49 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 203 205 199 200 4 5 Georgia .........: 339 330 190 175 149 155 Illinois ........: 101 97 98 94 3 3 Indiana .........: 505 515 493 502 12 13 Iowa ............: 1,107 1,106 1,094 1,090 13 16 : Maine ...........: 80 82 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 45 50 44 49 1 1 Michigan ........: 229 266 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 210 210 203 202 7 8 Mississippi .....: 108 105 32 31 76 74 Missouri ........: 158 143 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 210 214 210 214 - - New York ........: 98 104 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 252 239 128 121 124 118 Ohio ............: 574 596 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 52 56 50 54 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 557 585 537 564 20 21 South Carolina ..: 88 91 68 71 20 20 South Dakota ....: 50 52 50 52 - - Texas ...........: 374 397 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 71 75 71 75 - - Virginia ........: 51 56 22 26 29 30 Washington ......: 143 154 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 99 109 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 409 414 283 296 126 118 : United States ...: 7,013 7,237 6,022 6,249 990 987 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 18.8 March ..................: 3.0 3.7 20.1 19.6 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: March 1, 2011 and 2012 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 2.0 2.0 5.0 8.5 Arkansas ...............: - 2.5 10.5 9.0 California .............: 4.0 3.5 28.0 28.5 Colorado ...............: 2.5 3.0 18.0 16.5 Connecticut ............: 10.0 9.0 7.5 8.0 Florida ................: 4.0 6.5 34.5 30.5 Georgia ................: 1.5 3.0 18.5 13.0 Illinois ...............: 5.5 2.5 31.0 25.0 Indiana ................: 3.0 6.5 25.0 32.5 Iowa ...................: 5.0 5.0 32.0 31.0 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: 2.0 - 33.0 11.0 Michigan ...............: 0.5 3.5 17.0 16.0 Minnesota ..............: 5.5 3.5 19.0 21.0 Mississippi ............: 2.0 1.0 10.5 11.5 Missouri ...............: 4.5 5.5 19.0 21.0 Nebraska ...............: - - 3.5 2.0 New York ...............: 0.5 4.5 11.5 10.0 North Carolina .........: 0.5 2.5 17.0 16.0 Ohio ...................: 4.5 4.0 15.5 12.0 : Oregon .................: 1.5 9.5 19.0 31.5 Pennsylvania ...........: 2.0 1.0 9.5 6.0 South Carolina .........: - 2.0 16.5 18.0 South Dakota ...........: 4.0 9.0 29.5 13.0 Texas ..................: 2.5 5.5 19.0 16.5 Utah ...................: 5.0 4.0 36.0 36.5 Virginia ...............: - 3.0 17.0 12.0 Washington .............: 4.5 2.5 30.5 35.5 Wisconsin ..............: 4.5 - 29.5 31.0 : Other States 1/ ........: 3.0 4.0 15.0 18.1 : United States ..........: 3.0 3.7 20.1 19.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 March 1 ............................: 39,975 39,322 98 Chicks hatched during February ...........................: 37,336 39,300 105 Chicks hatched January through February ..................: 78,702 79,577 101 : Pullets hatched during February for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 244 238 98 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 3,168 2,936 93 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on March 1 ............................: 642,437 610,618 95 Chicks hatched during February ...........................: 708,724 705,113 99 Chicks hatched January through February ..................: 1,489,847 1,456,983 98 : Pullets hatched during February for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 7,107 7,025 99 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 63,283 63,934 101 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched August 2010 through July 2011. 2/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched November 2010 through July 2011. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: March 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ---- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 4,463 4,359 98 East North Central ...........: 8,346 7,976 96 West North Central ...........: 7,889 8,723 111 South Atlantic ...............: 5,336 3,812 71 South Central ................: 5,473 5,838 107 West .........................: 8,468 8,614 102 : United States ................: 39,975 39,322 98 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 39,300 105 78,702 79,577 101 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 ...............: 244 238 98 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 3,097 October ................: 266 2,915 November ...............: 218 2,970 December ...............: 277 2,936 : Total ..................: 3,060 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For February 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched August 2010 through July 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: March 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ----- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 12,620 12,443 99 East North Central ...........: 12,097 12,951 107 West North Central ...........: 28,779 28,495 99 South Atlantic ...............: 239,341 233,027 97 South Central ................: 326,142 301,712 93 West .........................: 23,458 21,990 94 : United States ................: 642,437 610,618 95 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During February : January-February :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2012 as : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 : : : of 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 101,042 97,030 96 211,262 201,629 95 Arkansas .....................: 78,596 70,855 90 165,063 146,378 89 Delaware .....................: 13,498 11,502 85 28,663 23,634 82 Florida ......................: 4,345 4,519 104 9,052 9,409 104 Georgia ......................: 109,647 109,902 100 231,224 228,712 99 Kentucky .....................: 24,989 26,250 105 51,116 54,232 106 Louisiana ....................: 11,292 12,107 107 23,662 24,766 105 Maryland .....................: 25,155 25,383 101 52,716 52,712 100 Mississippi ..................: 62,689 62,805 100 132,983 129,352 97 Missouri .....................: 26,132 27,674 106 55,515 57,422 103 : North Carolina ...............: 65,891 69,876 106 138,201 143,910 104 Oklahoma .....................: 23,042 23,561 102 48,164 47,907 99 Pennsylvania .................: 13,306 13,072 98 27,812 27,197 98 South Carolina ...............: 17,864 17,787 100 37,784 37,109 98 Texas ........................: 49,290 51,075 104 107,430 104,917 98 Virginia .....................: 19,939 21,181 106 41,468 43,501 105 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 36,734 35,826 98 77,883 74,896 96 : 19 States 1/ .................: 683,451 680,405 100 1,439,998 1,407,683 98 : Other States 2/ ..............: 25,273 24,708 98 49,849 49,300 99 : United States ................: 708,724 705,113 99 1,489,847 1,456,983 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: 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 ......: 708,724 705,113 99 1,489,847 1,456,983 98 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 6,673 95 62,996 64,366 February .............: 7,107 7,025 99 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 61,556 September ............: 6,657 63,576 60,860 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 8,201 96 February .............: 8,782 8,818 100 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 February 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched November 2010 through July 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 0.6 percent. Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past twenty-four months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent --------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ----- : All layers ...................: 0.3 0.6 918 25 2,138 19 5 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 0.3 0.5 19 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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