Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released April 23, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). March Egg Production Up Slightly United States egg production totaled 7.86 billion during March 2012, up slightly from last year. Production included 6.80 billion table eggs, and 1.06 billion hatching eggs, of which 981 million were broiler-type and 78 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during March 2012 averaged 340 million, down slightly from last year. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,313 eggs, up 1 percent from March 2011. All layers in the United States on April 1, 2012 totaled 341 million, down slightly from last year. The 341 million layers consisted of 285 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 52.1 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.09 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on April 1, 2012, averaged 75.2 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from April 1, 2011. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 7 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during March 2012 totaled 40.6 million, down 7 percent from March 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 39.3 million on April 1, 2012, down 5 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 210 thousand during March 2012, down 17 percent from March 2011. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 4 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during March 2012 totaled 764 million, down 4 percent from March 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 614 million on April 1, 2012, down 5 percent from a year earlier. Leading breeders placed 6.73 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during March 2012, down 5 percent from March 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: February-March 2011 and 2012...... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: March-April 2011 and 2012......... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2011 and 2012.................. 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 2011 and 2012..................... 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: March 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: April 1, 2011 and 2012..................... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012.......................................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: April 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: April 1, 2011 and 2012......................... 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: March 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 .....................: 339,787 338,151 March ........................: 340,655 339,750 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 7,235 6,022 6,247 990 987 March .........: 7,840 7,858 6,735 6,799 1,106 1,059 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: 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: 339,787 338,151 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 281,706 284,489 101 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,081 53,662 92 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,073 50,625 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 7,235 103 Table egg type ........................million: 6,022 6,247 104 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: 339,296 338,878 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 281,152 285,005 101 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,144 53,873 93 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,124 50,776 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 3.8 127 Molt completed ..........................percent: 20.1 19.9 99 : Layers sold for slaughter during February ...1,000: 14,695 13,375 91 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during February 1,0: 9,082 7,199 79 : Pullets on March 1 ..........................1,000: 106,044 103,314 97 : Pullets added during February 1/ ............1,000: 22,004 22,816 104 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: March-April 2011 and 2012 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Item : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during March : All layers ...................................1,000: 340,655 339,750 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 282,262 285,200 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,393 54,550 93 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,415 51,453 93 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,978 3,097 104 : Eggs per 100 layers during March : All layers ..................................number: 2,301 2,313 101 Table egg type ............................number: 2,386 2,384 100 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,894 1,941 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,862 1,907 102 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,485 2,519 101 : Eggs produced during March : All layers .................................million: 7,840 7,858 100 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,735 6,799 101 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,106 1,059 96 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,032 981 95 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 74 78 105 : Layers on April 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 342,237 340,590 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 283,609 285,375 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,628 55,215 94 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,698 52,121 94 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,930 3,094 106 : Eggs per 100 layers on April 1 : All layers ..................................number: 74.6 75.2 101 Table egg type ............................number: 77.4 77.7 100 Hatching egg type .........................number: 60.9 62.1 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 59.8 60.9 102 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 81.7 81.0 99 : Forced molt layers on April 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 2.6 2.8 108 Molt completed .............................percent: 20.0 19.8 99 : Layers sold for slaughter during March .........1,000: 13,838 13,139 95 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during March ....1,000: 6,978 6,294 90 : Pullets on April 1 .............................1,000: 107,302 103,861 97 : Pullets added during March 1/ ..................1,000: 25,710 22,471 87 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. 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 1,938 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 8,099 17,205 16,460 1,970 2,023 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 50,041 53,056 51,006 2,086 2,161 : 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 20,640 20,181 1,982 2,051 : United States ..: 277,146 279,886 339,787 338,151 2,064 2,140 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 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 ........: 1,399 1,422 9,752 9,179 1,887 1,961 Arkansas .......: 3,116 3,533 12,164 12,085 2,047 2,052 California .....: 18,558 19,680 18,863 20,024 2,338 2,357 Colorado .......: 3,366 4,331 3,816 4,782 2,358 2,447 Connecticut ....: 2,196 2,231 2,270 2,303 2,335 2,345 Florida ........: 9,123 9,027 9,468 9,343 2,324 2,355 Georgia ........: 8,550 8,213 17,244 16,700 2,198 2,156 Illinois .......: 4,235 4,262 4,460 4,468 2,287 2,372 Indiana ........: 22,854 23,959 23,599 24,697 2,394 2,296 Iowa ...........: 52,574 50,073 53,428 51,062 2,313 2,379 : Maine ..........: 3,431 3,528 3,486 3,583 2,438 2,428 Maryland .......: 2,130 2,355 2,266 2,477 2,339 2,422 Michigan .......: 10,251 11,470 10,422 11,644 2,504 2,465 Minnesota ......: 9,984 9,260 10,448 9,756 2,297 2,327 Mississippi ....: 1,523 1,434 6,020 5,461 2,043 2,088 Missouri .......: 5,884 5,172 7,450 6,661 2,362 2,402 Nebraska .......: 9,380 9,226 9,430 9,276 2,492 2,469 New York .......: 4,005 4,305 4,236 4,534 2,502 2,470 North Carolina .: 5,839 5,740 13,501 12,855 2,029 2,069 Ohio ...........: 26,783 27,334 27,316 27,870 2,372 2,318 : Oregon .........: 2,292 2,073 2,413 2,220 2,528 2,568 Pennsylvania ...: 24,057 23,740 25,282 24,912 2,464 2,441 South Carolina .: 3,139 3,120 4,429 4,310 2,213 2,274 South Dakota ...: 2,267 2,238 2,307 2,278 2,471 2,371 Texas ..........: 13,872 14,846 18,309 18,769 2,288 2,318 Utah ...........: 3,451 3,510 3,481 3,540 2,471 2,429 Virginia .......: 1,167 1,258 2,972 3,061 1,952 2,058 Washington .....: 6,438 6,741 6,554 6,856 2,502 2,494 Wisconsin ......: 4,007 4,289 4,583 4,881 2,335 2,418 : Other States 1/ : 11,831 12,227 20,686 20,163 2,161 2,187 : United States ..: 277,702 280,597 340,655 339,750 2,301 2,313 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ........: 225 231 72 76 153 155 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 .........: 339 333 190 178 149 155 Illinois ........: 101 97 98 94 3 3 Indiana .........: 505 515 493 502 12 13 Iowa ............: 1,107 1,102 1,094 1,086 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 7,235 6,022 6,247 990 987 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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: March 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 .........: 184 180 31 34 153 146 Arkansas ........: 249 248 77 83 172 165 California ......: 441 472 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 90 117 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 53 54 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 220 220 215 215 5 5 Georgia .........: 379 360 211 192 168 168 Illinois ........: 102 106 99 103 3 3 Indiana .........: 565 567 551 553 14 14 Iowa ............: 1,236 1,215 1,222 1,197 14 18 : Maine ...........: 85 87 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 53 60 52 59 1 1 Michigan ........: 261 287 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 240 227 232 218 8 9 Mississippi .....: 123 114 38 36 85 78 Missouri ........: 176 160 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 235 229 235 229 - - New York ........: 106 112 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 274 266 138 137 136 129 Ohio ............: 648 646 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 61 57 59 55 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 623 608 601 587 22 21 South Carolina ..: 98 98 75 76 23 22 South Dakota ....: 57 54 57 54 - - Texas ...........: 419 435 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 86 86 86 86 - - Virginia ........: 58 63 25 30 33 33 Washington ......: 164 171 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 107 118 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 447 441 309 318 139 124 : United States ...: 7,840 7,858 6,735 6,799 1,106 1,059 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 3.8 20.1 19.9 April ..................: 2.6 2.8 20.0 19.8 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: April 1, 2011 and 2012 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 1.5 0.5 6.0 7.5 Arkansas ...............: 1.5 3.0 8.0 8.5 California .............: 2.0 1.5 27.5 29.5 Colorado ...............: - 7.0 17.5 16.0 Connecticut ............: 9.5 9.0 7.5 8.0 Florida ................: 6.5 5.5 33.5 35.5 Georgia ................: 0.5 1.0 18.5 14.0 Illinois ...............: 2.0 4.0 30.0 28.0 Indiana ................: 3.5 3.5 24.0 33.0 Iowa ...................: 4.5 4.5 30.5 29.0 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: - - 31.0 10.0 Michigan ...............: 1.5 2.0 12.0 15.0 Minnesota ..............: 4.0 4.0 23.0 20.5 Mississippi ............: 1.0 - 11.5 11.0 Missouri ...............: 3.0 - 21.5 22.0 Nebraska ...............: 1.0 1.0 3.5 2.0 New York ...............: - 1.0 5.5 10.0 North Carolina .........: 2.0 - 16.5 14.5 Ohio ...................: 3.0 3.0 19.5 11.0 : Oregon .................: - 4.0 20.5 30.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 2.0 1.5 10.5 11.0 South Carolina .........: 4.0 1.5 16.0 16.0 South Dakota ...........: 4.0 4.5 28.0 20.5 Texas ..................: 1.5 2.5 18.0 19.5 Utah ...................: - 4.0 39.0 35.5 Virginia ...............: - - 11.5 12.5 Washington .............: 1.0 4.5 32.5 33.5 Wisconsin ..............: 2.0 6.5 26.5 29.0 : Other States 1/ ........: 2.5 3.9 15.1 18.1 : United States ..........: 2.6 2.8 20.0 19.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 April 1 ............................: 41,197 39,279 95 Chicks hatched during March ..............................: 43,603 40,622 93 Chicks hatched January through March .....................: 121,608 120,199 99 : Pullets hatched during March for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 253 210 83 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 3,130 3,001 96 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on April 1 ............................: 649,146 614,211 95 Chicks hatched during March ..............................: 793,765 764,225 96 Chicks hatched January through March .....................: 2,283,800 2,221,208 97 : Pullets hatched during March for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 7,058 6,728 95 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 63,250 63,323 100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched September 2010 through August 2011. 2/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched December 2010 through August 2011. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: April 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ---- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 4,254 4,063 96 East North Central ...........: 8,277 8,556 103 West North Central ...........: 8,796 8,593 98 South Atlantic ...............: 4,925 4,504 91 South Central ................: 5,679 5,426 96 West .........................: 9,266 8,137 88 : United States ................: 41,197 39,279 95 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 .......: 40,590 40,277 99 40,590 40,277 99 February ......: 37,415 39,300 105 78,005 79,577 102 March .........: 43,603 40,622 93 121,608 120,199 99 April .........: 42,959 164,567 May ...........: 42,949 207,516 June ..........: 38,920 246,436 July ..........: 36,950 283,386 August ........: 41,431 324,817 September .....: 39,805 364,622 October .......: 37,624 402,246 November ......: 37,512 439,758 December ......: 39,071 478,829 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ..................: 253 210 83 3,130 3,001 April ..................: 287 3,161 3,002 May ....................: 196 3,054 3,098 June ...................: 302 3,027 3,053 July ...................: 234 2,981 3,067 August .................: 318 2,974 3,110 September ..............: 252 2,922 3,104 October ................: 266 2,915 3,061 November ...............: 218 2,970 December ...............: 277 2,936 : Total ..................: 3,067 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For March 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 2010 through August 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: April 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ----- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 12,230 11,906 97 East North Central ...........: 12,801 12,463 97 West North Central ...........: 28,543 28,006 98 South Atlantic ...............: 241,377 233,939 97 South Central ................: 330,189 306,359 93 West .........................: 24,006 21,538 90 : United States ................: 649,146 614,211 95 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: March 2011 and 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During March : January-March :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2012 as : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 : : : of 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 112,665 104,162 92 323,896 305,791 94 Arkansas .....................: 87,785 76,918 88 252,842 223,296 88 Delaware .....................: 14,312 12,142 85 42,975 35,776 83 Florida ......................: 4,963 4,667 94 14,015 14,076 100 Georgia ......................: 123,064 120,013 98 354,288 348,725 98 Kentucky .....................: 28,914 27,197 94 80,225 81,429 102 Louisiana ....................: 12,736 12,891 101 36,398 37,657 103 Maryland .....................: 28,403 27,377 96 81,119 80,089 99 Mississippi ..................: 70,638 67,856 96 203,621 197,208 97 Missouri .....................: 29,392 29,867 102 84,907 87,289 103 : North Carolina ...............: 73,299 76,075 104 211,500 219,985 104 Oklahoma .....................: 25,734 25,428 99 73,933 73,335 99 Pennsylvania .................: 14,001 13,774 98 41,813 40,971 98 South Carolina ...............: 19,645 19,280 98 57,429 56,389 98 Texas ........................: 56,134 56,286 100 163,574 161,203 99 Virginia .....................: 23,625 22,999 97 65,093 66,500 102 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 42,694 40,667 95 120,567 115,563 96 : 19 States 1/ .................: 768,004 737,599 96 2,208,195 2,145,282 97 : Other States 2/ ..............: 25,761 26,626 103 75,605 75,926 100 : United States ................: 793,765 764,225 96 2,283,800 2,221,208 97 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 .......: 781,313 751,870 96 781,313 751,870 96 February ......: 708,722 705,113 99 1,490,035 1,456,983 98 March .........: 793,765 764,225 96 2,283,800 2,221,208 97 April .........: 777,866 3,061,666 May ...........: 804,484 3,866,150 June ..........: 766,371 4,632,521 July ..........: 768,432 5,400,953 August ........: 758,980 6,159,933 September .....: 719,606 6,879,539 October .......: 715,886 7,595,425 November ......: 702,169 8,297,594 December ......: 758,382 9,055,976 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ..............: 6,557 6,673 102 62,996 64,111 February .............: 7,284 7,025 96 63,283 63,679 March ................: 7,058 6,728 95 63,250 63,323 April ................: 7,044 63,751 63,209 May ..................: 7,721 63,990 62,941 June .................: 7,211 64,558 62,547 July .................: 6,444 64,656 61,927 August ...............: 7,233 64,388 61,556 September ............: 6,657 63,321 60,860 October ..............: 6,289 63,251 60,377 November .............: 6,890 63,620 December .............: 6,438 64,028 : Annual total ...........: 82,826 : Total placements 2/ : January ..............: 8,187 8,201 100 February .............: 8,931 8,818 99 March ................: 9,023 8,679 96 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 ...........: 104,005 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For March 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched December 2010 through August 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 340 million layers by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.6 percent. Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past twenty-four months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent --------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ----- : All layers ...................: 0.3 0.6 831 25 1,904 18 6 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 0.3 0.5 17 1 39 18 6 : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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