Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 1948-9064 Released May 22, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). April Egg Production Down 1 Percent United States egg production totaled 7.58 billion during April 2012, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.54 billion table eggs, and 1.04 billion hatching eggs, of which 964 million were broiler-type and 73 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during April 2012 averaged 339 million, down slightly from last year. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,233 eggs, down slightly from April 2011. All layers in the United States on May 1, 2012 totaled 338 million, down slightly from last year. The 338 million layers consisted of 283 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 52.8 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.98 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on May 1, 2012, averaged 73.6 eggs per 100 layers, down 1 percent from May 1, 2011. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 8 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during April 2012 totaled 39.7 million, down 8 percent from April 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 42.0 million on May 1, 2012, up 4 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 172 thousand during April 2012, down 40 percent from April 2011. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 4 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during April 2012 totaled 748 million, down 4 percent from April 2011. Eggs in incubators totaled 619 million on May 1, 2012, down 4 percent from a year earlier. Leading breeders placed 6.52 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during April 2012, down 7 percent from April 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: March-April 2011 and 2012......... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Forced Molt - United States: April-May 2011 and 2012........... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During March 2011 and 2012..................... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During April 2011 and 2012..................... 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: March 2011 and 2012...................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: April 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: May 1, 2011 and 2012....................... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2011 and 2012.......................................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: May 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: May 1, 2011 and 2012........................... 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: April 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 ........................: 340,655 339,626 April ........................: 340,896 339,338 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 7,859 6,735 6,800 1,106 1,059 April .........: 7,617 7,578 6,534 6,542 1,083 1,037 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: 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: 340,655 339,626 100 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 282,262 285,052 101 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,393 54,574 93 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,415 51,477 93 Egg-type hatching .....................1,000: 2,978 3,097 104 : Eggs per 100 layers during March : All layers ...............................number: 2,301 2,314 101 Table egg type .........................number: 2,386 2,386 100 Hatching egg type ......................number: 1,894 1,940 102 Broiler-type hatching ................number: 1,862 1,906 102 Egg-type hatching ....................number: 2,485 2,519 101 : Eggs produced during March : All layers ..............................million: 7,840 7,859 100 Table egg type ........................million: 6,735 6,800 101 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: 342,237 340,342 99 Table egg type ..........................1,000: 283,609 285,079 101 Hatching egg type .......................1,000: 58,628 55,263 94 Broiler-type hatching .................1,000: 55,698 52,169 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 19.7 99 : Layers sold for slaughter during March ......1,000: 13,838 13,092 95 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during March .1,000: 6,978 6,280 90 : Pullets on April 1 ..........................1,000: 107,302 104,299 97 : Pullets added during March 1/ ...............1,000: 25,710 22,755 89 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: April-May 2011 and 2012 [Totals may not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Item : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during April : All layers ...................................1,000: 340,896 339,338 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 282,033 283,812 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 58,863 55,526 94 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 55,935 52,486 94 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,928 3,040 104 : Eggs per 100 layers during April : All layers ..................................number: 2,234 2,233 100 Table egg type ............................number: 2,317 2,305 99 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,840 1,868 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,809 1,837 102 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,425 2,401 99 : Eggs produced during April : All layers .................................million: 7,617 7,578 99 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,534 6,542 100 Hatching egg type ........................million: 1,083 1,037 96 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 1,012 964 95 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 71 73 103 : Layers on May 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 339,520 338,299 100 Table egg type .............................1,000: 280,439 282,526 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 59,081 55,773 94 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 56,161 52,795 94 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 2,920 2,978 102 : Eggs per 100 layers on May 1 : All layers ..................................number: 74.3 73.6 99 Table egg type ............................number: 77.1 75.8 98 Hatching egg type .........................number: 61.2 62.3 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 60.3 61.3 102 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 79.8 80.2 101 : Forced molt layers on May 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 3.0 4.3 143 Molt completed .............................percent: 20.0 19.6 98 : Layers sold for slaughter during April .........1,000: 13,812 14,130 102 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during April ....1,000: 11,678 8,838 76 : Pullets on May 1 ...............................1,000: 105,514 103,363 98 : Pullets added during April 1/ ..................1,000: 21,653 21,242 98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. 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 9,167 1,887 1,964 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 16,736 2,198 2,151 Illinois .......: 4,235 4,174 4,460 4,380 2,287 2,374 Indiana ........: 22,854 23,615 23,599 24,353 2,394 2,295 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 9,423 10,448 9,919 2,297 2,329 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 2,512 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 3,588 3,481 3,618 2,471 2,432 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 12,270 20,686 20,206 2,161 2,187 : United States ..: 277,702 280,449 340,655 339,626 2,301 2,314 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During April 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 ........: 1,359 1,445 9,614 9,270 1,841 1,909 Arkansas .......: 3,060 3,533 12,268 12,258 1,948 1,982 California .....: 18,876 19,591 19,180 19,935 2,315 2,237 Colorado .......: 3,518 4,253 3,987 4,734 2,282 2,366 Connecticut ....: 2,217 2,254 2,289 2,324 2,315 2,324 Florida ........: 9,232 8,591 9,569 8,899 2,236 2,326 Georgia ........: 8,106 8,089 17,157 16,803 2,104 2,077 Illinois .......: 4,288 4,055 4,515 4,258 2,148 2,325 Indiana ........: 22,825 23,423 23,568 24,207 2,338 2,243 Iowa ...........: 52,302 50,571 53,112 51,544 2,241 2,299 : Maine ..........: 3,537 3,508 3,592 3,563 2,339 2,358 Maryland .......: 2,099 2,259 2,230 2,373 2,377 2,318 Michigan .......: 10,326 11,641 10,496 11,803 2,458 2,364 Minnesota ......: 9,883 9,605 10,350 10,076 2,280 2,233 Mississippi ....: 1,513 1,461 6,060 5,623 2,013 1,992 Missouri .......: 6,006 5,253 7,592 6,797 2,292 2,339 Nebraska .......: 9,271 9,194 9,321 9,244 2,425 2,445 New York .......: 3,838 4,197 4,065 4,426 2,411 2,395 North Carolina .: 5,926 5,595 13,573 12,752 1,975 2,023 Ohio ...........: 26,904 27,295 27,447 27,840 2,266 2,231 : Oregon .........: 2,155 2,204 2,293 2,334 2,486 2,485 Pennsylvania ...: 24,392 23,275 25,618 24,427 2,401 2,342 South Carolina .: 3,047 3,079 4,363 4,349 2,177 2,161 South Dakota ...: 2,331 2,245 2,371 2,285 2,320 2,319 Texas ..........: 13,628 14,805 18,097 18,802 2,210 2,250 Utah ...........: 3,420 3,503 3,450 3,533 2,377 2,264 Virginia .......: 1,082 1,208 2,929 3,116 1,946 1,990 Washington .....: 6,536 6,607 6,652 6,722 2,435 2,321 Wisconsin ......: 3,969 4,171 4,548 4,763 2,199 2,288 : Other States 1/ : 11,827 12,299 20,590 20,278 2,118 2,125 : United States ..: 277,473 279,209 340,896 339,338 2,234 2,233 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ........: 102 104 99 101 3 3 Indiana .........: 565 559 551 545 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 .......: 240 231 232 222 8 9 Mississippi .....: 123 114 38 36 85 78 Missouri ........: 176 160 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 235 233 235 233 - - 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 88 86 88 - - Virginia ........: 58 63 25 30 33 33 Washington ......: 164 171 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 107 118 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 447 442 309 319 139 124 : United States ...: 7,840 7,859 6,735 6,800 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. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: April 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 .........: 177 177 31 34 146 143 Arkansas ........: 239 243 72 81 167 162 California ......: 444 446 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 91 112 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 53 54 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 214 207 208 203 6 4 Georgia .........: 361 349 193 184 168 165 Illinois ........: 97 99 94 96 3 3 Indiana .........: 551 543 538 529 13 14 Iowa ............: 1,190 1,185 1,177 1,168 13 17 : Maine ...........: 84 84 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 53 55 51 54 2 1 Michigan ........: 258 279 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 236 225 228 217 8 8 Mississippi .....: 122 112 37 34 85 78 Missouri ........: 174 159 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 226 226 226 226 - - New York ........: 98 106 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 268 258 135 132 133 126 Ohio ............: 622 621 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 57 58 55 56 2 2 Pennsylvania ....: 615 572 593 553 22 19 South Carolina ..: 95 94 72 73 23 21 South Dakota ....: 55 53 55 53 - - Texas ...........: 400 423 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 82 80 82 80 - - Virginia ........: 57 62 24 28 33 34 Washington ......: 162 156 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 100 109 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 436 431 301 310 136 122 : United States ...: 7,617 7,578 6,534 6,542 1,083 1,037 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 19.7 May ....................: 3.0 4.3 20.0 19.6 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: May 1, 2011 and 2012 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 0.5 0.5 7.5 6.5 Arkansas ...............: 0.5 2.0 8.5 9.5 California .............: 2.5 8.5 26.0 27.0 Colorado ...............: 6.0 8.0 15.5 28.0 Connecticut ............: 9.0 8.0 17.0 16.0 Florida ................: 5.0 8.0 35.0 32.0 Georgia ................: 1.5 1.5 16.5 11.0 Illinois ...............: 4.5 - 25.0 20.0 Indiana ................: 3.5 4.5 25.5 33.5 Iowa ...................: 4.5 5.0 34.5 32.5 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: - 8.0 26.5 4.0 Michigan ...............: 3.0 3.0 11.5 16.0 Minnesota ..............: 6.0 6.0 25.0 18.5 Mississippi ............: 2.0 3.0 10.0 10.0 Missouri ...............: - 4.0 19.5 19.5 Nebraska ...............: - 1.0 4.0 2.0 New York ...............: - 2.5 5.5 10.0 North Carolina .........: - 2.5 17.5 12.5 Ohio ...................: 3.5 4.5 18.0 11.0 : Oregon .................: 11.0 10.5 18.0 29.0 Pennsylvania ...........: 1.0 3.0 9.5 8.5 South Carolina .........: - 4.0 20.0 16.5 South Dakota ...........: 4.0 8.0 21.0 18.0 Texas ..................: 5.0 4.0 16.5 20.0 Utah ...................: 5.5 12.0 35.0 29.5 Virginia ...............: 3.0 6.0 5.5 9.0 Washington .............: 8.0 10.0 25.0 29.0 Wisconsin ..............: 6.5 - 23.0 31.5 : Other States 1/ ........: 2.2 2.8 14.9 18.8 : United States ..........: 3.0 4.3 20.0 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 May 1 ..............................: 40,521 41,984 104 Chicks hatched during April ..............................: 42,959 39,702 92 Chicks hatched January through April .....................: 164,567 159,901 97 : Pullets hatched during April for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 287 172 60 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 3,161 3,002 95 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on May 1 ..............................: 647,762 619,355 96 Chicks hatched during April ..............................: 777,866 747,697 96 Chicks hatched January through April .....................: 3,061,666 2,968,905 97 : Pullets hatched during April for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 7,044 6,524 93 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 63,751 63,209 99 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched October 2010 through September 2011. 2/ 2012 includes pullet chicks hatched January 2011 through September 2011. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators - Regions and United States: May 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ---- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 3,631 4,139 114 East North Central ...........: 8,494 8,927 105 West North Central ...........: 9,328 9,770 105 South Atlantic ...............: 4,750 5,149 108 South Central ................: 6,120 6,286 103 West .........................: 8,198 7,713 94 : United States ................: 40,521 41,984 104 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 39,702 92 164,567 159,901 97 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 ..................: 287 172 60 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 2,946 December ...............: 277 2,936 : Total ..................: 3,067 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For April 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched October 2010 through September 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: May 1, 2011 and 2012 [See regional listing on page 19] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2012 as Region : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 eggs ----- percent : North Atlantic ...............: 12,722 12,587 99 East North Central ...........: 12,573 12,459 99 West North Central ...........: 28,299 28,104 99 South Atlantic ...............: 242,276 237,007 98 South Central ................: 327,291 307,165 94 West .........................: 24,601 22,033 90 : United States ................: 647,762 619,355 96 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: April 2011 and 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During April : January-April :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2012 as : : : 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : percent : 2011 : 2012 : percent : : : of 2011 : : : of 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 109,271 102,001 93 433,167 407,792 94 Arkansas .....................: 85,792 76,200 89 338,634 299,496 88 Delaware .....................: 14,072 12,554 89 57,047 48,330 85 Florida ......................: 4,889 4,729 97 18,904 18,805 99 Georgia ......................: 119,260 116,701 98 473,548 465,426 98 Kentucky .....................: 28,150 27,783 99 108,375 109,212 101 Louisiana ....................: 12,325 12,774 104 48,723 50,431 104 Maryland .....................: 27,848 26,362 95 108,967 106,451 98 Mississippi ..................: 69,556 66,181 95 273,177 263,389 96 Missouri .....................: 28,548 28,117 98 113,455 115,406 102 : North Carolina ...............: 72,817 73,012 100 284,317 292,997 103 Oklahoma .....................: 25,781 24,279 94 99,714 97,614 98 Pennsylvania .................: 13,069 13,496 103 54,882 54,467 99 South Carolina ...............: 18,981 18,796 99 76,410 75,185 98 Texas ........................: 55,624 54,773 98 219,198 215,976 99 Virginia .....................: 23,366 22,533 96 88,459 89,033 101 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 42,264 40,379 96 162,831 155,942 96 : 19 States 1/ .................: 751,613 720,670 96 2,959,808 2,865,952 97 : Other States 2/ ..............: 26,253 27,027 103 101,858 102,953 101 : United States ................: 777,866 747,697 96 3,061,666 2,968,905 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 .........: 777,866 747,697 96 3,061,666 2,968,905 97 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 6,753 96 63,250 63,323 April ................: 7,044 6,524 93 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 60,402 November .............: 6,890 63,620 60,482 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 8,525 94 April ................: 8,944 8,232 92 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 April 2012, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched January 2011 through September 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 339 million layers by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.5 percent. Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past twenty-four months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent --------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ----- : All layers ...................: 0.3 0.5 773 25 1,904 18 6 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 0.3 0.5 16 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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