ISSN: 1948-9064 Released March 23, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). February Egg Production Up 1 Percent United States egg production totaled 7.62 billion during February 2015, up 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.61 billion table eggs, and 1.01 billion hatching eggs, of which 928 million were broiler-type and 80 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during February 2015 averaged 362 million, up 1 percent from last year. February egg production per 100 layers was 2,104 eggs, unchanged from February 2014. All layers in the United States on March 1, 2015 totaled 362 million, up 1 percent from last year. The 362 million layers consisted of 305 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 53.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.56 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2015, averaged 75.3 eggs per 100 layers, unchanged from March 1, 2014. Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 6 Percent Egg-type chicks hatched during February 2015 totaled 42.8 million, up 6 percent from February 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 44.5 million on March 1, 2015, up 14 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 309 thousand during February 2015, up 27 percent from February 2014. Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent Broiler-type chicks hatched during February 2015 totaled 711 million, up 3 percent from February 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 647 million on March 1, 2015, up 3 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 7.92 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 2015, up 9 percent from February 2014. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2014-2015............................ 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2014-2015.......................................... 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 Molt - United States: January-February 2014 and 2015........... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: February-March 2014 and 2015............. 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2014 and 2015................... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2014 and 2015.................. 9 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2014 and 2015.................................... 10 Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2014 and 2015................................... 11 Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2014-2015......................................... 12 Molted as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: March 1, 2014 and 2015.......................... 12 Hatchery Production - United States: 2014 and 2015.......................................................... 13 Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015................ 14 Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015................................................. 14 Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2014-2015.................................................................................... 15 Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015............ 15 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: February 2014 and 2015.............................. 16 Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015............................................. 16 Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2014-2015.. 17 Statistical Methodology..................................................................................... 18 Regional Listing............................................................................................ 19 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates........................................................ 19 Information Contacts........................................................................................ 20 Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : 2014 : 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 layers : December 1/ ..................: 360,673 365,691 January ......................: 359,556 363,732 February .....................: 358,967 362,164 March ........................: 359,955 April ........................: 360,826 May ..........................: 360,383 June .........................: 359,729 July .........................: 360,787 August .......................: 361,731 September ....................: 361,813 October ......................: 362,034 November .....................: 364,017 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ December preceding year. Egg Production During the Month by Type - United States: 2014-2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total eggs : Table eggs : Hatching eggs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : December 1/ ...: 8,489 8,731 7,422 7,633 1,068 1,098 January .......: 8,397 8,540 7,321 7,428 1,077 1,112 February ......: 7,551 7,619 6,579 6,612 972 1,008 March .........: 8,430 7,354 1,077 April .........: 8,205 7,160 1,045 May ...........: 8,428 7,336 1,094 June ..........: 8,151 7,091 1,060 July ..........: 8,503 7,404 1,100 August ........: 8,491 7,394 1,098 September .....: 8,186 7,126 1,060 October .......: 8,526 7,433 1,094 November ......: 8,411 7,353 1,058 During year ...: 99,768 86,971 12,803 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: January-February 2014 and 2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Layers during January : All layers ....................................1,000: 359,556 363,732 101 Table egg type ..............................1,000: 303,392 306,397 101 Hatching egg type ...........................1,000: 56,164 57,335 102 Broiler-type hatching .....................1,000: 52,858 53,826 102 Egg-type hatching .........................1,000: 3,306 3,509 106 : Eggs per 100 layers during January : All layers ...................................number: 2,335 2,348 101 Table egg type .............................number: 2,413 2,424 100 Hatching egg type ..........................number: 1,918 1,939 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................number: 1,882 1,906 101 Egg-type hatching ........................number: 2,480 2,451 99 : Eggs produced during January : All layers ..................................million: 8,397 8,540 102 Table egg type ............................million: 7,321 7,428 101 Hatching egg type .........................million: 1,077 1,112 103 Broiler-type hatching ...................million: 995 1,026 103 Egg-type hatching .......................million: 82 86 105 : Layers on February 1 : All layers ....................................1,000: 358,861 362,123 101 Table egg type ..............................1,000: 302,343 304,613 101 Hatching egg type ...........................1,000: 56,518 57,510 102 Broiler-type hatching .....................1,000: 53,146 53,944 102 Egg-type hatching .........................1,000: 3,372 3,566 106 : Eggs per 100 layers on February 1 : All layers ...................................number: 74.9 74.8 100 Table egg type .............................number: 77.5 77.2 100 Hatching egg type ..........................number: 61.4 62.3 101 Broiler-type hatching ....................number: 60.3 61.2 101 Egg-type hatching ........................number: 78.7 78.3 99 : Molted layers on February 1 : Being molted ................................percent: 2.8 3.3 118 Molt completed ..............................percent: 18.0 17.9 99 : Layers sold for slaughter during January ........1,000: 15,707 16,514 105 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during January ...1,000: 8,222 8,231 100 : Pullets on February 1 ...........................1,000: 108,122 108,681 101 : Pullets added during January 1/ .................1,000: 22,821 23,872 105 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt - United States: February-March 2014 and 2015 [Totals may not add due to rounding] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Layers during February : All layers ...................................1,000: 358,967 362,164 101 Table egg type .............................1,000: 302,666 304,669 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 56,301 57,495 102 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 52,990 53,929 102 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,311 3,566 108 : Eggs per 100 layers during February : All layers ..................................number: 2,104 2,104 100 Table egg type ............................number: 2,174 2,170 100 Hatching egg type .........................number: 1,726 1,753 102 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 1,695 1,721 102 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 2,235 2,243 100 : Eggs produced during February : All layers .................................million: 7,551 7,619 101 Table egg type ...........................million: 6,579 6,612 101 Hatching egg type ........................million: 972 1,008 104 Broiler-type hatching ..................million: 898 928 103 Egg-type hatching ......................million: 74 80 108 : Layers on March 1 : All layers ...................................1,000: 359,078 362,180 101 Table egg type .............................1,000: 303,008 304,714 101 Hatching egg type ..........................1,000: 56,070 57,466 102 Broiler-type hatching ....................1,000: 52,823 53,905 102 Egg-type hatching ........................1,000: 3,247 3,561 110 : Eggs per 100 layers on March 1 : All layers ..................................number: 75.3 75.3 100 Table egg type ............................number: 77.8 77.7 100 Hatching egg type .........................number: 61.9 62.3 101 Broiler-type hatching ...................number: 60.7 61.0 100 Egg-type hatching .......................number: 81.6 81.9 100 : Molted layers on March 1 : Being molted ...............................percent: 2.4 1.8 75 Molt completed .............................percent: 18.0 18.7 104 : Layers sold for slaughter during February ......1,000: 15,877 15,666 99 : Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted : or disappeared for any reason during February .1,000: 8,244 5,826 71 : Pullets on March 1 .............................1,000: 107,660 108,803 101 : Pullets added during February 1/ ...............1,000: 24,543 23,270 95 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During January 2014 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,506 1,536 9,275 9,268 1,930 1,964 Arkansas .......: 3,698 3,737 11,930 12,720 2,070 2,099 California .....: 16,306 12,877 16,736 13,375 2,366 2,340 Colorado .......: 4,515 4,027 4,929 4,400 2,516 2,409 Connecticut ....: 2,285 2,285 2,379 2,378 2,354 2,355 Florida ........: 8,264 8,760 8,655 9,122 2,322 2,302 Georgia ........: 9,252 9,971 18,105 18,870 2,209 2,162 Illinois .......: 4,251 4,334 4,726 4,794 2,433 2,461 Indiana ........: 26,576 25,885 27,572 26,767 2,394 2,324 Iowa ...........: 57,386 58,491 58,522 59,723 2,331 2,403 : Maine ..........: 3,476 3,476 3,531 3,531 2,407 2,407 Maryland .......: 2,669 2,649 2,830 2,814 2,332 2,416 Michigan .......: 12,482 12,828 12,708 13,062 2,439 2,503 Minnesota ......: 10,214 11,390 10,634 11,845 2,417 2,431 Mississippi ....: 1,531 1,535 5,782 5,676 2,024 2,079 Missouri .......: 6,196 6,674 8,502 8,916 2,294 2,310 Nebraska .......: 9,325 9,459 9,433 9,567 2,512 2,550 New York .......: 4,676 4,732 5,036 5,087 2,502 2,536 North Carolina .: 5,805 6,575 13,205 14,331 2,143 2,198 Ohio ...........: 28,751 29,692 29,599 30,554 2,473 2,415 : Oregon .........: 2,199 2,194 2,338 2,333 2,609 2,615 Pennsylvania ...: 24,274 23,987 26,185 26,043 2,486 2,550 South Carolina .: 3,115 3,178 4,368 4,437 2,312 2,186 South Dakota ...: 2,498 2,496 2,640 2,638 2,462 2,426 Texas ..........: 14,885 14,885 19,003 19,037 2,289 2,243 Utah ...........: 3,855 4,298 3,893 4,336 2,415 2,491 Virginia .......: 1,093 1,251 2,834 2,953 2,152 2,201 Washington .....: 6,829 7,225 6,993 7,390 2,302 2,449 Wisconsin ......: 4,459 4,749 5,231 5,526 2,504 2,407 : Other States 1/ : 13,018 13,140 21,982 22,239 2,215 2,271 : United States ..: 295,389 298,316 359,556 363,732 2,335 2,348 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced - States and United States: During February 2014 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Table egg layers in : : Eggs per 100 for :flocks 30,000 and above: All layers : all layers State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 layers -------------- ------ eggs ----- : Alabama ........: 1,502 1,475 9,292 9,208 1,722 1,759 Arkansas .......: 3,672 3,814 11,873 12,715 1,845 1,880 California .....: 16,261 12,835 16,691 13,329 2,127 2,153 Colorado .......: 4,472 3,830 4,847 4,203 2,269 2,284 Connecticut ....: 2,242 2,242 2,336 2,335 2,055 2,056 Florida ........: 8,193 8,681 8,578 9,061 2,133 2,086 Georgia ........: 9,289 9,779 18,200 18,666 1,978 1,955 Illinois .......: 4,423 4,172 4,894 4,625 2,166 2,227 Indiana ........: 26,491 25,744 27,434 26,616 2,183 2,006 Iowa ...........: 57,728 58,330 58,918 59,562 2,086 2,147 : Maine ..........: 3,503 3,503 3,558 3,558 2,192 2,192 Maryland .......: 2,546 2,648 2,709 2,814 2,178 2,203 Michigan .......: 12,724 12,894 12,962 13,147 2,245 2,236 Minnesota ......: 10,129 11,369 10,552 11,825 2,170 2,190 Mississippi ....: 1,530 1,564 5,801 5,755 1,862 1,877 Missouri .......: 6,248 6,526 8,556 8,776 2,069 2,097 Nebraska .......: 9,318 9,446 9,426 9,554 2,313 2,303 New York .......: 4,608 4,710 4,964 5,069 2,256 2,249 North Carolina .: 5,727 6,649 13,075 14,415 1,973 1,929 Ohio ...........: 28,948 29,936 29,800 30,798 2,211 2,175 : Oregon .........: 2,127 2,253 2,266 2,392 2,295 2,383 Pennsylvania ...: 23,842 23,657 25,777 25,768 2,254 2,301 South Carolina .: 3,024 3,173 4,260 4,456 1,995 2,065 South Dakota ...: 2,517 2,537 2,659 2,679 2,181 2,128 Texas ..........: 14,786 14,759 18,916 19,004 2,072 1,989 Utah ...........: 3,897 4,179 3,935 4,217 2,135 2,205 Virginia .......: 990 1,167 2,775 2,924 1,910 1,984 Washington .....: 6,662 6,992 6,827 7,157 2,109 2,152 Wisconsin ......: 4,274 4,586 5,048 5,366 2,080 2,199 : Other States 1/ : 13,008 13,138 22,038 22,170 1,992 2,030 : United States ..: 294,681 296,588 358,967 362,164 2,104 2,104 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: January 2014 and 2015 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 179 182 35 39 144 143 Arkansas ........: 247 267 92 95 155 172 California ......: 396 313 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 124 106 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 56 56 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 201 210 197 206 4 4 Georgia .........: 400 408 229 235 171 173 Illinois ........: 115 118 111 113 4 5 Indiana .........: 660 622 641 606 19 16 Iowa ............: 1,364 1,435 1,348 1,417 16 18 : Maine ...........: 85 85 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 66 68 65 67 1 1 Michigan ........: 310 327 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 257 288 251 282 6 6 Mississippi .....: 117 118 37 38 80 80 Missouri ........: 195 206 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 237 244 237 244 - - New York ........: 126 129 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 283 315 148 172 135 143 Ohio ............: 732 738 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 61 61 61 61 - - Pennsylvania ....: 651 664 623 635 28 29 South Carolina ..: 101 97 80 74 21 23 South Dakota ....: 65 64 65 64 - - Texas ...........: 435 427 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 94 108 94 108 - - Virginia ........: 61 65 30 34 31 31 Washington ......: 161 181 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 131 133 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 487 505 352 368 136 137 : United States ...: 8,397 8,540 7,321 7,428 1,077 1,112 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Egg Production by Type - States and United States: February 2014 and 2015 [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 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : million eggs : Alabama .........: 160 162 32 33 128 129 Arkansas ........: 219 239 80 87 139 152 California ......: 355 287 (D) (D) (D) (D) Colorado ........: 110 96 (D) (D) (D) (D) Connecticut .....: 48 48 (D) (D) (D) (D) Florida .........: 183 189 179 185 4 4 Georgia .........: 360 365 206 210 154 155 Illinois ........: 106 103 102 99 4 4 Indiana .........: 599 534 583 519 16 15 Iowa ............: 1,229 1,279 1,213 1,262 16 17 : Maine ...........: 78 78 (D) (D) (D) (D) Maryland ........: 59 62 58 61 1 1 Michigan ........: 291 294 (D) (D) (D) (D) Minnesota .......: 229 259 224 253 5 6 Mississippi .....: 108 108 34 35 74 73 Missouri ........: 177 184 (D) (D) (D) (D) Nebraska ........: 218 220 218 220 - - New York ........: 112 114 (D) (D) (D) (D) North Carolina ..: 258 278 134 148 124 130 Ohio ............: 659 670 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Oregon ..........: 52 57 52 57 - - Pennsylvania ....: 581 593 556 565 25 28 South Carolina ..: 85 92 67 71 18 21 South Dakota ....: 58 57 58 57 - - Texas ...........: 392 378 (D) (D) (D) (D) Utah ............: 84 93 84 93 - - Virginia ........: 53 58 24 29 29 29 Washington ......: 144 154 (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin .......: 105 118 (D) (D) (D) (D) : Other States 1/ .: 439 450 317 324 122 127 : United States ...: 7,551 7,619 6,579 6,612 972 1,008 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed Month :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : January ................: 2.7 2.1 18.2 18.1 February ...............: 2.8 3.3 18.0 17.9 March ..................: 2.4 1.8 18.0 18.7 April ..................: 1.9 17.9 May ....................: 2.8 17.7 June ...................: 3.0 17.2 July ...................: 2.6 18.0 August .................: 3.3 18.0 September ..............: 2.9 18.9 October ................: 3.3 19.3 November ...............: 2.0 19.9 December ...............: 1.3 19.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Molted as Percent of All Layers - States and United States: March 1, 2014 and 2015 [As of the first of the month] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Being molted : Molt completed State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ................: 1.0 0.5 4.5 8.5 Arkansas ...............: 1.0 - 11.0 17.0 California .............: 4.0 3.0 27.0 32.0 Colorado ...............: 1.5 3.0 16.5 16.0 Connecticut ............: 9.0 9.0 8.5 8.5 Florida ................: 4.0 2.5 31.0 47.5 Georgia ................: 1.5 0.5 14.5 20.0 Illinois ...............: - 1.0 15.0 7.0 Indiana ................: 1.0 2.5 24.5 26.0 Iowa ...................: 3.5 2.0 26.0 26.0 : Maine ..................: - - - - Maryland ...............: - - 4.0 - Michigan ...............: 1.0 - 8.0 11.0 Minnesota ..............: 2.0 2.0 17.5 17.5 Mississippi ............: 1.5 0.5 9.0 16.0 Missouri ...............: 3.0 1.0 19.5 18.0 Nebraska ...............: - - 4.0 1.5 New York ...............: 3.0 - 4.0 2.5 North Carolina .........: 2.0 0.5 12.0 16.0 Ohio ...................: 3.0 2.0 23.5 20.5 : Oregon .................: 3.0 3.0 17.0 14.5 Pennsylvania ...........: 1.5 - 6.5 1.0 South Carolina .........: 1.0 - 10.0 9.5 South Dakota ...........: 10.5 6.5 12.5 7.0 Texas ..................: 1.5 4.5 26.5 28.5 Utah ...................: 5.0 6.0 29.0 28.5 Virginia ...............: 4.0 4.0 10.0 13.5 Washington .............: 2.5 6.0 23.0 23.0 Wisconsin ..............: 6.0 2.0 21.5 34.5 : Other States 1/ ........: 3.1 1.9 13.0 9.8 : United States ..........: 2.4 1.8 18.0 18.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes data for States not published in this table. Hatchery Production - United States: 2014 and 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2015 as Item : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- 1,000 -------- percent : Egg-type : Eggs in incubators on March 1 ............................: 39,160 44,458 114 Chicks hatched during February ...........................: 40,323 42,782 106 Chicks hatched January through February ..................: 84,457 86,956 103 : Pullets hatched during February for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 243 309 127 Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1/ ..: 2,710 2,955 109 : Broiler-type : Eggs in incubators on March 1 ............................: 628,593 646,930 103 Chicks hatched during February ...........................: 692,647 711,002 103 Chicks hatched January through February ..................: 1,463,540 1,503,178 103 : Pullets hatched during February for intended placements: : Hatchery supply flocks ..................................: 7,239 7,921 109 Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2/ ..: 60,850 61,999 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched August 2013 through July 2014. 2/ 2015 includes pullet chicks hatched November 2013 through July 2014. Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015 [See regional listing on page 19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : February 1 : 2015 as : March 1 : 2015 as Region :-----------------------------: percent :-----------------------------: percent : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent : North Atlantic .....: 3,590 3,812 106 5,296 5,920 112 East North Central .: 8,841 8,791 99 8,787 9,631 110 West North Central .: 10,042 10,884 108 8,557 11,250 131 South Atlantic .....: 4,809 4,484 93 4,031 4,049 100 South Central ......: 5,843 6,283 108 5,808 5,862 101 West ...............: 7,399 6,210 84 6,681 7,746 116 : United States ......: 40,524 40,464 100 39,160 44,458 114 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2015 as : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 : : : of 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent --- 1,000 chicks --- percent : January .......: 44,134 44,174 100 44,134 44,174 100 February ......: 40,323 42,782 106 84,457 86,956 103 March .........: 43,818 128,275 April .........: 45,115 173,390 May ...........: 49,003 222,393 June ..........: 43,470 265,863 July ..........: 42,123 307,986 August ........: 39,458 347,444 September .....: 43,309 390,753 October .......: 44,416 435,169 November ......: 36,539 471,708 December ......: 42,980 514,688 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month - United States: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2015 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-18 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2014 :----------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : : 2014 : 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks -- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ---- : January ................: 270 270 100 2,714 2,947 February ...............: 243 309 127 2,710 2,955 March ..................: 235 2,716 2,863 April ..................: 243 2,780 2,987 May ....................: 224 2,744 3,206 June ...................: 172 2,680 3,178 July ...................: 275 2,866 3,074 August .................: 251 2,786 3,074 September ..............: 394 2,805 3,140 October ................: 369 2,868 November ...............: 150 2,878 December ...............: 248 2,927 : Total ..................: 3,074 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For February 2015, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched August 2013 through July 2014. 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 on the First of the Month - Regions and United States: 2014-2015 [See regional listing on page 19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : February 1 : 2015 as : March 1 : 2015 as Region :-----------------------------: percent :-----------------------------: percent : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 : 2014 : 2015 : of 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent 1,000 eggs 1,000 eggs percent : North Atlantic .....: 13,631 13,756 101 13,168 14,358 109 East North Central .: 13,855 13,794 100 13,895 14,177 102 West North Central .: 30,568 30,018 98 30,873 29,869 97 South Atlantic .....: 242,155 246,543 102 243,145 247,020 102 South Central ......: 305,251 315,985 104 306,094 317,739 104 West ...............: 21,771 22,541 104 21,418 23,767 111 : United States ......: 627,231 642,637 102 628,593 646,930 103 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched - States and United States: February 2014 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During February : January-February :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : 2015 as : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 : : : of 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : Alabama ......................: 94,265 97,484 103 198,885 203,374 102 Arkansas .....................: 68,377 72,152 106 146,282 152,167 104 Delaware .....................: 14,788 15,795 107 31,126 32,943 106 Florida ......................: 4,083 3,796 93 8,556 8,333 97 Georgia ......................: 110,377 112,004 101 234,669 238,911 102 Kentucky .....................: 24,829 25,870 104 53,244 54,938 103 Louisiana ....................: 13,100 12,840 98 27,253 27,096 99 Maryland .....................: 25,000 25,462 102 51,677 54,442 105 Mississippi ..................: 58,319 60,037 103 123,941 126,391 102 Missouri .....................: 28,210 27,366 97 59,681 57,887 97 : North Carolina ...............: 66,615 68,986 104 140,807 145,599 103 Oklahoma .....................: 22,298 21,021 94 47,124 44,303 94 Pennsylvania .................: 14,192 14,276 101 30,138 30,285 100 South Carolina ...............: 15,821 17,021 108 33,706 36,369 108 Texas ........................: 48,466 50,379 104 101,185 105,937 105 Virginia .....................: 21,019 21,659 103 44,842 45,908 102 California, Tennessee, : and West Virginia ...........: 36,785 38,992 106 75,314 82,351 109 : 19 States 1/ .................: 666,544 685,140 103 1,408,430 1,447,234 103 : Other States 2/ ..............: 26,103 25,862 99 55,110 55,944 102 : United States ................: 692,647 711,002 103 1,463,540 1,503,178 103 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : By months : Cumulative :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : : : 2015 as : : : 2015 as : 2014 : 2015 : percent : 2014 : 2015 : percent : : : of 2014 : : : of 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 chicks --- percent ---- 1,000 chicks ---- percent : January .......: 770,893 792,176 103 770,893 792,176 103 February ......: 692,647 711,002 103 1,463,540 1,503,178 103 March .........: 769,818 2,233,358 April .........: 748,669 2,982,027 May ...........: 781,446 3,763,473 June ..........: 762,677 4,526,150 July ..........: 784,571 5,310,721 August ........: 788,385 6,099,106 September .....: 756,086 6,855,192 October .......: 760,593 7,615,785 November ......: 732,972 8,348,757 December ......: 796,060 9,144,817 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2014-2015 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : Cumulative potential placements : Pullet chicks hatched : 2015 as : relative to current supply Month : : percent : flocks 7-15 months earlier 1/ :-----------------------------: of 2014 :----------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : : 2014 : 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- 1,000 chicks --- percent ----- 1,000 chicks ----- : United States placements ..: January .................: 6,470 6,959 108 60,546 62,018 February ................: 7,239 7,921 109 60,850 61,999 March ...................: 6,790 61,214 62,220 April ...................: 6,710 61,457 62,804 May .....................: 7,600 61,385 63,157 June ....................: 7,094 61,444 63,509 July ....................: 6,212 61,524 63,514 August ..................: 7,436 61,772 63,763 September ...............: 7,253 61,446 64,084 October .................: 6,823 61,225 November ................: 7,591 61,366 December ................: 6,795 61,835 : Annual total ..............: 84,013 : Total placements 2/ .......: January .................: 8,077 8,382 104 February ................: 9,068 9,546 105 March ...................: 8,702 April ...................: 8,122 May .....................: 9,470 June ....................: 9,021 July ....................: 7,916 August ..................: 9,413 September ...............: 9,228 October .................: 8,288 November ................: 9,540 December ................: 8,649 : Annual total ..............: 105,494 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ For February 2015, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched November 2013 through July 2014. 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 500 contractors, independent egg producers, and pullet only operations are contacted each month. Data for broiler hatchery estimates are collected weekly from all broiler-type hatcheries that hatch at least one million chicks a year. Data for egg-type hatchery estimates are collected monthly from all egg-type hatcheries that hatch at least 50,000 chicks a year. 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 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 2.3 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 362 million layers by more than 2.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 3.9 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 ...................: 2.3 3.9 7,624 37 10,344 23 1 : : ------- million ------- : Eggs .........................: 2.4 4.1 183 1 271 23 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Egg-Type Regional Listing North Atlantic: Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri. South Atlantic: Florida, Georgia, Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas. West: California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon. Broiler-Type Regional Listing North Atlantic: New York, Pennsylvania. East North Central: Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin. West North Central: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri. South Atlantic: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. South Central: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas. West: California, Oregon, Washington. 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. Molted Layers is the same data series as the previously published Forced Molt Layers. Nomenclature changed as of January 2015. 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 [email protected] Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ..................................... (202) 720-3570 Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section .............. (202) 720-4447 Alissa Cowell-Mytar - Cold Storage ..................................... (202) 720-4751 Heidi Gleich - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery ...................... (202) 720-0585 Michael Klamm - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ..... (202) 690-3237 Tom Kruchten - Census of Aquaculture ................................... (202) 690-4870 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs ............................................. (202) 690-8632 Sammy Neal - Catfish Production, Egg Products, Mink, Trout Production .. (202) 720-3244 Joshua O'Rear - Honey .................................................. (202) 690-3676 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Follow NASS" box under "Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports you would like to receive. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: [email protected]. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) 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