Chickens and Eggs. December Egg Production Down 8 Percent

Chickens and Eggs ISSN: 9489064 Released January 22, 206, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). December Egg Production Down 8 Percent United States egg production totaled 8.05 billion during December 205, down 8 from last year. Production included 6.9 billion table eggs, and.4 billion hatching eggs, of which.05 billion were broilertype and 9 million were eggtype. The total number of layers during December 205 averaged 345 million, down 6 from last year. December egg production per layers was 2,333 eggs, down 2 from December 204. All layers in the United States on January, 206 totaled 347 million, down 5 from last year. The 347 million layers consisted of 288 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 54.9 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 3.63 million layers producing eggtype hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on January, 206, averaged 74.8 eggs per layers, down 2 from January, 205. EggType Chicks Hatched Up 0 Percent Eggtype chicks hatched during December 205 totaled 47.3 million, up 0 from December 204. Eggs in incubators totaled 48.0 million on January, 206, up 4 from a year ago. Domestic placements of eggtype pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 25 thousand during December 205, down 3 from December 204. BroilerType Chicks Hatched Up Slightly Broilertype chicks hatched during December 205 totaled 7 million, up slightly from December 204. Eggs in incubators totaled 645 million on January, 206, up slightly from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 7.54 million broilertype pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 205, up from December 204.

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Contents Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month United States: 205206... 4 Egg Production During the Month by Type United States: 205206... 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: NovemberDecember 204 and 205... 6 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt United States: DecemberJanuary 204206... 7 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced States and United States: During November 204 and 205... 8 Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced States and United States: During December 204 and 205... 9 Egg Production by Type States and United States: November 204 and 205... 0 Egg Production by Type States and United States: December 204 and 205... Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month United States: 205206... 2 Molted as Percent of All Layers States and United States: January, 205 and 206... 2 Hatchery Production United States: 205 and 206... 3 EggType Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month Regions and United States: 204206... 4 EggType Chicks Hatched by Month United States: 204205... 4 Intended Placements of EggType Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month United States: 204206... 5 BroilerType Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month Regions and United States: 204206... 5 BroilerType Chicks Hatched States and United States: December 204 and 205... 6 BroilerType Chicks Hatched by Month United States: 204205... 6 Intended Placements of BroilerType Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 204206... 7 Statistical Methodology... 8 Regional Listing... 9 Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates... 9 Information Contacts... 20 Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 3

Average Number of All Layers on Hand During the Month United States: 205206 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] Month 205 206 December... January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December preceding year. (,000 layers) (,000 layers) 365,69 363,732 362,338 362,50 358,46 34,647 328,656 328,3 330,868 333,554 336,93 340,478 345,094 Egg Production During the Month by Type United States: 205206 [Totals may not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] Month December... January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... During year... December preceding year. Total eggs Table eggs Hatching eggs 205 206 205 206 205 206 (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) 8,73 8,540 7,620 8,548 8,209 7,3 7,46 7,674 7,77 7,496 7,793 7,692 95,429 8,052 7,633 7,428 6,65 7,429 7,3 6,85 6,307 6,527 6,57 6,3 6,663 6,597 82,32 6,92,0,2,006,9,096,42,09,47,46,0,30,095 3,2,40 4 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Average Layers During the Month United States Million layers 370 365 360 355 350 345 340 335 330 325 205 206 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov December previous year All Egg Production During the Month United States Million eggs 8,750 8,550 8,350 8,50 7,950 7,750 7,550 7,350 205 206 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov December previous year Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 5

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt United States: NovemberDecember 204 and 205 [Totals may not add due to rounding] Item 204 205 205 as of 204 Layers during November All layers...,000 Table egg type...,000 Hatching egg type...,000 Broilertype hatching...,000 Eggtype hatching...,000 364,07 308,26 55,89 52,77 3,74 340,478 282,336 58,42 54,605 3,537 94 92 04 04 Eggs per layers during November All layers... number Table egg type... number Hatching egg type... number Broilertype hatching... number Eggtype hatching... number 2,3 2,386,893,86 2,426 2,259 2,337,883,85 2,375 Eggs produced during November All layers... million Table egg type... million Hatching egg type... million Broilertype hatching... million Eggtype hatching... million 8,4 7,353,058 77 7,692 6,597,095,0 84 9 90 09 Layers on December All layers...,000 Table egg type...,000 Hatching egg type...,000 Broilertype hatching...,000 Eggtype hatching...,000 366,045 30,052 55,3 52,8 3,82 343,523 285,57 58,366 54,757 3,609 94 92 04 04 3 Eggs per layers on December All layers... number Table egg type... number Hatching egg type... number Broilertype hatching... number Eggtype hatching... number 77.3 80.0 62.6 6.6 79.8 75.5 78. 62.7 6.6 80.7 0 Molted layers on December Being molted... Molt completed....3 9.3.7 2.8 3 3 Layers sold for slaughter during November...,000 3,483 3,9 97 Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted or disappeared for any reason during November...,000 7,234 5,0 83 Pullets on December...,000 06,602 6,86 0 Pullets added during November...,000 Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. 23,639 26,253 6 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt United States: DecemberJanuary 204206 [Totals may not add due to rounding] Item 204 205 205 as of 204 Layers during December All layers...,000 Table egg type...,000 Hatching egg type...,000 Broilertype hatching...,000 Eggtype hatching...,000 365,69 309,7 56,574 53,257 3,37 345,094 286,640 58,454 54,832 3,622 94 93 09 Eggs per layers during December All layers...number Table egg type...number Hatching egg type...number Broilertype hatching...number Eggtype hatching...number 2,388 2,469,94,908 2,472 2,333 2,4,950,93 2,52 Eggs produced during December All layers... million Table egg type... million Hatching egg type... million Broilertype hatching... million Eggtype hatching... million 8,73 7,633,0,06 82 205 206 8,052 6,92,40,049 9 206 as of 205 92 9 04 Layers on January All layers...,000 Table egg type...,000 Hatching egg type...,000 Broilertype hatching...,000 Eggtype hatching...,000 365,34 308,68 57,46 53,6 3,447 346,638 288,06 58,532 54,902 3,629 95 93 05 Eggs per layers on January All layers...number Table egg type...number Hatching egg type...number Broilertype hatching...number Eggtype hatching...number 76.6 79. 62.6 6.6 78.9 74.8 77.3 62.8 6.6 8.8 04 Molted layers on January Percent being molted... Percent with molt completed... 2. 8. 2.5 2.2 9 7 Layers sold for slaughter during December...,000 4,37 3,394 94 Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted or disappeared for any reason during December...,000 8,667 6,580 76 Pullets on January...,000 06,793 7,553 0 Pullets added during December...,000 23,684 25,622 08 Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks. Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 7

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced States and United States: During November 204 and 205 State Alabama... Arkansas... California... Colorado... Connecticut /... Florida... Georgia... Illinois... Indiana... Iowa... Table egg layers in flocks 30,000 and above All layers Eggs per for all layers 204 205 204 205 204 205 (,000 layers) (,000 layers) (,000 layers) (,000 layers) (eggs) (eggs),500 3,866 4,653 4,390 2,249 8,536 9,82 4,48 26,07 58,523,568 3,909,749 4,93 8,803 0,75 4,647 29, 34,460 9,38 2,462 5,0 4,763 2,343 8,936 8,609 4,963 26,884 59,688 9,60 3,557 2,24 4,68 9,96 9,07 5,09 30,090 35,632,937 2,022 2,369 2,456 2,262 2,406 2,66 2,297 2,347 2,37,96,955 2,247 2,44 2,240 2,5 2,427 2,409 2,094 Maine /... Maryland... Michigan... Minnesota... Mississippi... Missouri... Nebraska... New York... North Carolina... Ohio... 3,5 2,63 2,5 0,848,489 6,736 9,447 4,762 6,546 30,46 2,480 2,904 8,86,462 7,478 6,528 5,290 7,02 30,954 3,566 2,778 3,200,305 5,490 8,944 9,555 5,0 4,76 3,278 2,652 3,20 9,39 5,646 9,688 6,636 5,652 4,738 3,804 2,2 2,340 2,409 2,326 2,058 2,337 2,50 2,485 2,088 2,407 2,376 2,454 2,339 2,09 2,364 2,25 2,424 2,083 2,393 Oregon... Pennsylvania... South Carolina... South Dakota... Texas... Utah... Virginia... Washington... Wisconsin... 2,2 23,942 2,895 2,473 5,63 4,47,268 6,838 4,656 2,66 23,672 3,092,44 6,048 4,470,247 7,090 4,342 2,260 25,823 4,56 2,65 9,88 4,455 2,977 6, 5,435 2,305 25,750 4,338,556 20,048 4,508 2,947 7,255 5,20 2,566 2,509 2,238 2,37 2,272 2,424 2,83 2,364 2,392 2,56 2,450 2,282 2,85 2,60 2,28 2,273 2,42 2,383 Other States 2... 2,953 9,54 2,829 28,82 2,90 2,22 United States... 300,06 Not available. Included in Other States in 205. 2 Includes data for States not published in this table. 274,27 364,07 340,478 2,3 2,259 8 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced States and United States: During December 204 and 205 State Alabama... Arkansas... California... Colorado... Connecticut... Florida... Georgia... Illinois... Indiana... Iowa... Table egg layers in flocks 30,000 and above All layers Eggs per for all layers 204 205 204 205 204 205 (,000 layers) (,000 layers) (,000 layers) (,000 layers) (eggs) (eggs),588 3,786 3,58 4,300 2,326 8,73 0,27 4,509 26,24 58,738,56 3,960,82 4,8 8,784 0,462 4,560 29,364 36,733 9,274 2,620 4,080 4,673 2,49 9,2 8,950 4,979 27,009 59,930 9,608 3,727 2,292 4,574 9,75 9,387 5,08 30,335 37,938,4 2,08 2,379 2,440 2,35 2,447 2,2 2,350 2,444 2,423,978 2,062 2,35 2,54 2,376 2,233 2,5 2,469 2,40 Maine... Maryland... Michigan... Minnesota... Mississippi... Missouri... Nebraska... New York... North Carolina... Ohio... 3,478 2,66 2,878,08,54 6,837 9,464 4,809 6,724 30,203 2,638 2,922 8,96,47 7,69 7,43 5,392 6,94 30,786 3,533 2,827 3,093,563 5,600 9,063 9,572 5,6 4,404 3,062 2,809 3,38 9,48 5,658 9,789 7,539 5,763 4,768 3,643 2,378 2,44 2,55 2,447 2,07 2,438 2,549 2,577 2,20 2,450 2,492 2,504 2,42 2,39 2,472 2,75 2,464 2,235 2,437 Oregon... Pennsylvania... South Carolina... South Dakota... Texas... Utah... Virginia... Washington... Wisconsin... 2,44 24,093 3,02 2,50 5,096 4,407,260 7,3 4,83 2,6 23,863 3,067,447 6,368 4,368, 6,9 4,453 2,283 26,03 4,28 2,652 9,50 4,445 2,948 7,278 5,609 2,255 25, 4,338,589 20,397 4,406 2,928 7,64 5,23 2,628 2,582 2,72 2,564 2,355 2,520 2,239 2,446 2,460 2,528 2,56 2,328 2,329 2,2 2,35 2,322 2,443 2,409 Other States 2... 3,084 9,25 22,090 28,26 2,277 2,307 United States... 30,036 Not available. Included in Other States in 205. 2 Includes data for States not published in this table. 278,59 365,69 345,094 2,388 2,333 Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 9

Egg Production by Type States and United States: November 204 and 205 [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] State Alabama... Arkansas... California... Colorado... Connecticut... Florida... Georgia... Illinois... Indiana... Iowa... Total production Table eggs Hatching eggs 204 205 204 205 204 205 (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) 77 252 358 7 53 25 403 4 63,383 84 265 275 3 206 4 24 725 746 38 94 20 237 09 65,367 39 92 202 239 20 706 730 39 58 5 66 5 6 6 45 73 4 72 4 9 6 Maine... Maryland... Michigan... Minnesota... Mississippi... Missouri... Nebraska... New York... North Carolina... Ohio... 82 65 38 263 3 209 239 27 296 753 63 322 28 4 229 47 37 307 76 64 257 37 239 58 62 22 35 47 67 6 76 38 6 79 40 Oregon... Pennsylvania... South Carolina... South Dakota... Texas... Utah... Virginia... Washington... Wisconsin... 58 648 93 62 436 08 65 65 30 58 63 34 433 67 75 22 58 62 7 62 08 35 58 603 76 34 37 27 22 30 28 23 30 Other States 2... 478 626 346 494 32 32 United States... 8,4 7,692 7,353 6,597,058,095 Represents zero. Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Not available. Included in Other States in 205. 2 Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. 0 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Egg Production by Type States and United States: December 204 and 205 [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] State Alabama... Arkansas... California... Colorado... Connecticut... Florida... Georgia... Illinois... Indiana... Iowa... Total production Table eggs Hatching eggs 204 205 204 205 204 205 (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) (million eggs) 84 266 335 4 56 223 49 7 660,452 90 283 289 5 28 433 26 749 82 4 97 28 248 2 644,436 4 24 258 22 729 794 43 69 5 7 5 6 6 49 83 4 75 4 20 8 Maine... Maryland... Michigan... Minnesota... Mississippi... Missouri... Nebraska... New York... North Carolina... Ohio... 84 69 334 283 8 22 244 33 37 76 70 329 228 2 242 64 42 330 77 68 277 39 244 75 69 22 38 64 83 6 79 42 7 83 47 Oregon... Pennsylvania... South Carolina... South Dakota... Texas... Utah... Virginia... Washington... Wisconsin... 60 672 93 68 45 2 66 78 38 57 654 0 37 469 68 75 26 60 643 7 68 2 35 57 622 77 37 36 29 22 3 32 24 32 Other States 2... 503 65 367 56 36 35 United States... 8,73 8,052 7,633 6,92,0,40 Represents zero. Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Not available. Included in Other States in 205. 2 Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations. Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Molted as Percent of All Layers by Month United States: 205206 [As of the first of the month. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] Month January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December... Being molted Molt completed 205 206 205 206 () () () () 2. 3.3.9 2.0 3. 2.4 2.9 2.7 3.4 3.4 3.2.7 2.5 8. 7.9 8.9 8.0 7.7 7.5 8.4 9.5 20. 20.9 2.2 2.8 2.2 Molted as Percent of All Layers States and United States: January, 205 and 206 [As of the first of the month] State Alabama... Arkansas... California... Colorado... Connecticut... Florida... Georgia... Illinois... Indiana... Iowa... Being molted Molt completed 205 206 205 206 () () () ().5 2.0.5 3.0 3.0.0 4.0.5 2.5.5 4.0 2.0 6.5 3.0 3.5 7.5 4.0 33.0 2.5 8.5 40.5 7.5 2.5 24.5 24.5 9.5 9.0 7.5 8.0 63.5 8.0 26.5 24.0 32.5 Maine... Maryland... Michigan... Minnesota... Mississippi... Missouri... Nebraska... New York... North Carolina... Ohio... 2.0 4.0.5.0.5 2.0 0.5 5.0 2.0.5 2.5 2.5 0.5 4.0 0.0 8.0 4.0 4.5 2.0 7.0 5.5 2.5 8.5 4.0 24.0 5.0 7.0 2.0 8.0 2.5 Oregon... Pennsylvania... South Carolina... South Dakota... Texas... Utah... Virginia... Washington... Wisconsin... 6.0 3.5.0 3.0 7.5 4.5 2.0 2.5 6.5 3.0 3.5 3.0 2.0 6.0.5 8.0 7.5 30.5 28.5 22.0 8.5 26.5 7.0 6.0 2.0 30.0 47.5 34.5 6.5 28.0 9.0 Other States 2.... 0.9 0.6 8.4 United States... 2. 2.5 8. 2.2 Represents zero. Not available. Included in Other States in 205. 2 Includes data for States not published in this table. 2 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Hatchery Production United States: 205 and 206 [December preceding year] Item 205 206 Eggtype Eggs in incubators on January... Chicks hatched during December... Chicks hatched January through December... 206 as of 205 (,000) (,000) () 42,237 42,0 58,346 47,967 47,296 563,6 4 0 09 Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: Hatchery supply flocks... Cumulative potential placements 78 months earlier... 248 2,927 25 3,238 87 Broilertype Eggs in incubators on January... Chicks hatched during December... Chicks hatched January through December... 644,79 795,846 9,60,978 644,822 7,69 9,33,82 Pullets hatched during December for intended placements: Hatchery supply flocks... Cumulative potential placements 75 months earlier 2... 206 includes pullet chicks hatched June 204 through May 205. 2 206 includes pullet chicks hatched September 204 through May 205. 6,795 6,835 7,544 65,038 05 Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 3

EggType Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month Regions and United States: 204206 [See regional listing on page 9] Region North Atlantic... East North Central... West North Central... South Atlantic... South Central... West... December 205 as January 204 205 of 204 205 206 206 as of 205 (,000 eggs) (,000 eggs) () (,000 eggs) (,000 eggs) () 5,465 9,70,65 4,0 6,052 5,029 9,44 9,376,822 5,36 6,47 5,870 72 97 0 3 07 7 5,872 9,258,702 4,527 5,643 5,235 9,793 9,303 0,92 5,435 6,435 6,089 67 93 20 4 6 United States... 42,006 48,34 5 42,237 47,967 4 EggType Chicks Hatched by Month United States: 204205 Month January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December... By months 204 205 205 as of 204 Cumulative 204 205 205 as of 204 (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () 44,458 40,6 44,233 45,703 49,46 44,006 42,297 39,803 43,722 44,468 36,544 42,0 44,74 43,09 50,077 49,595 47,652 46,868 42,582 46,863 48,972 49,953 46,038 47,296 05 3 09 97 07 0 8 2 2 26 0 44,458 85,444 29,677 75,380 224,526 268,532 30,829 350,632 394,354 438,822 475,366 58,346 44,74 87,265 37,342 86,937 234,589 28,457 324,039 370,902 49,874 469,827 55,865 563,6 06 07 04 05 04 06 06 07 09 09 4 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Intended Placements of EggType Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month United States: 204206 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] Month January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December... Total... Pullet chicks hatched 205 as of 204 Cumulative potential placements relative to current supply flocks 78 months earlier 204 205 205 206 (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) 270 243 235 243 224 72 275 25 394 369 50 248 3,074 270 309 346 29 235 320 267 66 222 330 27 25 3,6 For December 205, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched June 204 through May 205. The 78 months represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 27 47 90 05 86 97 66 56 89 45 87 0 2,947 2,955 2,863 2,7 3,206 3,78 3,074 3,074 3,40 3,25 3,227 3,238 3,386 3,378 3,293 3,2 3,082 3,49 3,6 BroilerType Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month Regions and United States: 204206 [See regional listing on page 9] Region North Atlantic... East North Central... West North Central... South Atlantic... South Central... West... December 205 as January 204 205 of 204 205 206 206 as of 205 (,000 eggs) (,000 eggs) () (,000 eggs) (,000 eggs) () 4,8 4,257 30,074 252,445 34,568 24,250 4,442 4,267 30,073 245,750 37,877 23,75 97 97 0 4,477 4,60 30,09 250,748 32,28 22,485 4,37 4,462 29,28 247,548 36,208 22,952 97 0 United States... 650,492 646,24 644,79 644,822 Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 5

BroilerType Chicks Hatched States and United States: December 204 and 205 State Alabama... Arkansas... Delaware... Florida... Georgia... Kentucky... Louisiana... Maryland... Mississippi... Missouri... During December 204 205 205 as of 204 JanuaryDecember 204 205 205 as of 204 (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () 06,783 80,963 7,278 4,587 26,432 28,285 4,34 28,973 66,806 30,692 08,374 8,762 7,844 4,692 25,032 28,266 3,343 29,02 67,62 30,286 0 0 94 0,237,866,3 94,464 52,979,466,69 332,0 65,504 327,674 765,662 362,27,264,427 94,33 206,488 52,584,459,450 335,272 64,896 338,955 777,4 356,234 06 0 0 North Carolina... Oklahoma... Pennsylvania... South Carolina... Texas... Virginia... California, Tennessee, and West Virginia... 77,203 24,349 6,547 9,77 54,926 23,957 44,7 76,669 24,340 7,707 9,443 56,659 23,49 44,690 07 0 888,789 286,273 89,523 2,936 632,482 285,805 4,302 906,060 28,46 96,948 23,797 655,735 28,32 56,45 04 09 04 04 9 States... 765,890 769,50 8,87,52 8,966,002 Other States 2... 29,956 29,09 97 343,466 347,80 0 United States... 795,846 7,69 States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program. 2 Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 9,60,978 9,33,82 BroilerType Chicks Hatched by Month United States: 204205 Month January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December... By months 204 205 205 as of 204 Cumulative 204 205 205 as of 204 (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () 772,825 694,277 77,68 750,447 783,36 764,42 785,896 789,582 757,650 762,3 732,978 795,846 792,76 7,223 79,09 772,833 809,044 787,93 804,756 7,392 760,797 754,5 732,892 7,69 0 772,825,467, 2,238,720 2,9,67 3,772,303 4,536,75 5,322,6 6,2,93 6,869,843 7,632,54 8,365,32 9,60,978 792,76,503,3 2,294,508 3,067,34 3,876,385 4,663,578 5,468,334 6,266,726 7,027,523 7,782,2 8,55,03 9,33,82 6 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Intended Placements of BroilerType Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 204206 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] Month United States placements... January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December... Pullet chicks hatched 205 as of 204 Cumulative potential placements relative to current supply flocks 75 months earlier 204 205 205 206 (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) () (,000 chicks) (,000 chicks) 6,470 7,239 6,790 6,70 7,600 7,094 6,22 7,436 7,253 6,823 7,59 6,795 6,959 7,92 7,60 6,5 7,54 7,790 7,428 7,907 8,573 6,863 7,230 7,544 08 09 05 04 0 20 06 8 0 95 62,08 6,9 62,220 62,804 63,57 63,509 63,54 63,763 64,084 64,50 64,933 65,038 65,575 66,80 66,496 68,274 68,78 67,487 67,87 Annual total... 84,03 89,9 07 Total placements 2... January... February... March... April... May... June... July... August... September... October... November... December... 8,077 9,068 8,702 8,22 9,470 9,02 7,96 9,43 9,228 8,288 9,540 8,649 8,382 9,546 8,875 8,358 9,409 9,785 9,907 0,040 0,80 8,68 8,872 9,32 04 05 08 25 07 7 05 93 08 Annual total... 05,494,6 For December 205, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched September 204 through May 205. 2 United States production of intended placements worldwide. 06 Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 7

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 broilertype hatcheries that hatch at least one million chicks a year. Data for eggtype hatchery estimates are collected monthly from all eggtype 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 eggtype chicks hatched to chicken inventory and poultry marketings are carefully monitored. The disposition of eggtype 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 age 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, greatgrandparents, pedigree, etc. Also included are research flocks, vaccine flocks, and specific pathogenfree flocks. The broiler cumulative potential placements are a moving total of the intended placements 75 months earlier. The eggtype cumulative potential placements of 78 months earlier represent the first laying cycle. Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements of eggtype 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 5year 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.5. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 345 million layers by more than.5. Chances are 9 out of 0 that the difference will not exceed 2.6. 8 Chickens and Eggs (January 206)

Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates [Based on data for the past twentyfour months] Item Root mean square error 90 confidence level Difference between first and latest estimate Average Smallest Largest Below latest Months Above latest () () (,000) (,000) (,000) (number) (number) All layers....5 2.6 3, 37 0,05 2 3 (million) (million) (million) Eggs....6 2.7 94 27 2 3 EggType 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. BroilerType 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. Includes expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate of 25 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 205. Chickens and Eggs (January 206) 9

Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. Email inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch... (202) 7203570 Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section... (202) 7204447 Aaron Cosgrove Egg Products, Poultry Slaughter, Trout Production... (202) 6903237 Alissa CowellMytar Cold Storage... (202) 720475 Heidi Gleich Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery... (202) 7200585 Tom Kruchten Census of Aquaculture... (202) 6904870 Kim Linonis Layers, Eggs... (202) 6908632 Sammy Neal Catfish Production, Mink, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised... (202) 7203244 Joshua O Rear Honey... (202) 6903676 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 email subscription. To setup this free subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and click on National or State in upper right corner above search box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 7279540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or email: nass@nass.usda.gov. 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.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 63292 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250940, by fax (202) 6907442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.