Chicken and Eggs - Release

Chickens and Eggs
ISSN: 1948-9064

Released November 20, 2018, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

October Egg Production Up 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.22 billion during October 2018, up 3 percent from last year. Production included
8.04 billion table eggs, and 1.18 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.10 billion were broiler-type and 86.3 million were eggtype. The average number of layers during October 2018 totaled 386 million, up 2 percent from last year. October egg
production per 100 layers was 2,388 eggs, up 1 percent from October 2017.
All layers in the United States on November 1, 2018 totaled 386 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 386 million
layers consisted of 326 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 57.6 million layers producing broiler-type
hatching eggs, and 3.31 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on November 1, 2018,
averaged 77.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from November 1, 2017.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 7 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during October 2018 totaled 55.0 million, up 7 percent from October 2017. Eggs in incubators
totaled 45.2 million on November 1, 2018, down slightly from a year ago.
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 225 thousand
during October 2018, up 14 percent from October 2017.
Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down Slightly
Broiler-type chicks hatched during October 2018 totaled 790 million, down slightly from October 2017. Eggs in
incubators totaled 649 million on November 1, 2018, down slightly from a year ago.
Leading breeders placed 7.28 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during
October 2018, down 4 percent from October 2017.

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2

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents
Average Layers During the Month – United States: 2017-2018 ............................................................................................. 4
Egg Production During the Month by Type – United States: 2017-2018 ............................................................................... 4
Egg Production During the Month in Dozens by Type – United States: 2017-2018 .............................................................. 4
Average 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: September-October 2017 and 2018 ...................... 6
Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States: October-November 2017 and 2018 ...................... 7
Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During September 2017 and 2018 .................................... 8
Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During October 2017 and 2018 ......................................... 9
Egg Production by Type – States and United States: September 2017 and 2018 ................................................................. 10
Egg Production by Type – States and United States: October 2017 and 2018 ..................................................................... 11
Egg Production in Dozens by Type – States and United States: September 2017 and 2018 ................................................ 12
Egg Production in Dozens by Type – States and United States: October 2017 and 2018 .................................................... 13
Molted as Percent of All Layers on the First of the Month – United States: 2017-2018 ...................................................... 14
Molted as Percent of All Layers – States and United States: October 1 and November 1, 2017-2018 ................................ 14
Hatchery Production – United States: 2017 and 2018 .......................................................................................................... 15
Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month – United States: 2017 and 2018.................................................... 16
Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2017-2018 ....................................................................................... 16
Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month –
United States: 2017-2019 ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Broiler-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month – United States: 2017 and 2018............................................... 17
Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched – States and United States: October 2017 and 2018 ............................................................. 18
Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2017-2018 .................................................................................. 18
Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and Total: 2017-2019............ 19
Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 20
Terms and Definitions of Chickens and Eggs Estimates ...................................................................................................... 21
Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Average Layers During the Month – United States: 2017-2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
Month

2017

2018

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

December 1 .........................................................
January ...............................................................
February .............................................................
March ..................................................................
April ....................................................................
May .....................................................................
June ....................................................................
July .....................................................................
August ................................................................
September ..........................................................
October ...............................................................
November ...........................................................
1

377,371
377,198
376,341
376,257
375,748
373,642
372,430
372,632
373,901
375,748
378,028
380,820

382,301
382,255
384,086
386,512
386,754
386,325
385,900
384,953
385,048
385,834
386,176

December previous year.

Egg Production During the Month by Type – United States: 2017-2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
Total eggs

Month

Hatching eggs

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

December 1 ......................
January ............................
February ..........................
March ...............................
April .................................
May ..................................
June .................................
July ..................................
August .............................
September .......................
October ............................
November ........................
1

Table eggs

2017

9,099.7
9,053.4
8,124.2
9,006.5
8,686.6
8,917.8
8,636.0
8,952.9
8,922.3
8,578.3
8,920.2
8,790.8

9,104.1
8,984.9
8,145.4
9,098.9
8,806.3
9,122.5
8,831.8
9,100.4
9,165.5
8,913.5
9,220.1

7,953.9
7,916.4
7,095.8
7,861.5
7,572.8
7,764.5
7,513.8
7,782.1
7,755.2
7,456.6
7,763.3
7,676.3

7,963.9
7,841.8
7,099.8
7,932.0
7,665.0
7,932.6
7,670.4
7,900.7
7,967.9
7,759.8
8,035.2

1,145.8
1,137.0
1,028.4
1,145.0
1,113.8
1,153.3
1,122.2
1,170.8
1,167.1
1,121.7
1,156.9
1,114.5

1,140.2
1,143.1
1,045.6
1,166.9
1,141.3
1,189.9
1,161.4
1,199.7
1,197.6
1,153.7
1,184.9

December previous year.

Egg Production During the Month in Dozens by Type – United States: 2017-2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
Total eggs

Month

2017

Table eggs
2018

2017

Hatching eggs
2018

2017

2018

(1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs)
December 1 ................
January ......................
February ....................
March .........................
April ...........................
May ............................
June ...........................
July ............................
August .......................
September .................
October ......................
November ..................
1

4

758,308.1
754,450.2
677,016.7
750,542.0
723,883.8
743,150.1
719,667.1
746,075.8
743,525.7
714,858.2
743,350.7
732,566.8

758,675.4
748,741.7
678,784.0
758,241.5
733,858.1
760,207.7
735,983.6
758,366.8
763,791.1
742,791.7
768,342.0

662,824.8
659,699.8
591,316.9
655,125.1
631,067.0
647,041.4
626,150.1
648,508.7
646,266.9
621,383.2
646,941.9
639,691.9

663,658.3
653,483.3
591,650.7
660,999.7
638,750.0
661,049.7
639,200.3
658,391.7
663,991.5
646,650.0
669,600.3

95,483.3
94,750.4
85,699.8
95,416.9
92,816.8
96,108.7
93,517.0
97,567.1
97,258.8
93,475.0
96,408.8
92,874.9

95,017.1
95,258.4
87,133.3
97,241.8
95,108.1
99,158.0
96,783.3
99,975.1
99,799.6
96,141.7
98,741.7

December previous year.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Average Layers During the Month – United States
Million layers
390

385

380

375
2017

2018

370
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
9,300
9,100
8,900
8,700
8,500
8,300
2017

2018

8,100
Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

December previous year

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States:
September-October 2017 and 2018
Item

2017

2018 as
percent
of 2017

2018

Layers during September
All layers .......................................................................................... 1,000
Table egg type ............................................................................. 1,000
Hatching egg type ........................................................................ 1,000
Broiler-type hatching ................................................................ 1,000
Egg-type hatching .................................................................... 1,000

375,748
315,502
60,246
57,057
3,189

385,834
324,913
60,921
57,418
3,503

103
103
101
101
110

Eggs per 100 layers during September
All layers ....................................................................................... number
Table egg type .......................................................................... number
Hatching egg type ..................................................................... number
Broiler-type hatching ............................................................. number
Egg-type hatching ................................................................. number

2,283
2,363
1,862
1,840
2,251

2,310
2,388
1,894
1,860
2,441

101
101
102
101
108

Eggs produced during September
All layers ......................................................................................... million
Table egg type ............................................................................ million
Hatching egg type ....................................................................... million
Broiler-type hatching ............................................................... million
Egg-type hatching ................................................................... million

8,578.3
7,456.6
1,121.7
1,049.9
71.8

8,913.5
7,759.8
1,153.7
1,068.2
85.5

104
104
103
102
119

Eggs produced during September
All layers ................................................................................1,000 dozen
Table egg type ...................................................................1,000 dozen
Hatching egg type ..............................................................1,000 dozen
Broiler-type hatching ......................................................1,000 dozen
Egg-type hatching ..........................................................1,000 dozen

714,858.2
621,383.2
93,475.0
87,491.7
5,983.3

742,791.7
646,650.0
96,141.7
89,016.6
7,125.1

104
104
103
102
119

Layers on October 1
All layers .......................................................................................... 1,000
Table egg type ............................................................................. 1,000
Hatching egg type ........................................................................ 1,000
Broiler-type hatching ................................................................ 1,000
Egg-type hatching .................................................................... 1,000

376,694
316,125
60,569
57,371
3,198

385,860
324,991
60,869
57,401
3,468

102
103
100
100
108

Eggs per 100 layers on October 1
All layers ....................................................................................... number
Table egg type .......................................................................... number
Hatching egg type ..................................................................... number
Broiler-type hatching ............................................................. number
Egg-type hatching ................................................................. number

75.8
78.5
61.8
61.2
72.4

76.8
79.5
62.8
61.6
81.7

101
101
102
101
113

Molted layers on October 1
Being molted ................................................................................. percent
Molt completed .............................................................................. percent

2.9
16.2

2.2
15.2

76
94

Layers sold for slaughter during September ......................................... 1,000

13,038.2

14,132.6

108

Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted
or disappeared for any reason during September ............................... 1,000

8,636.6

9,968.1

115

Pullets on October 1 ............................................................................ 1,000

114,240

126,047

110

Pullets added during September 1 ........................................................ 1,000

23,406.3

25,814.2

110

1

6

Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type and Molt – United States:
October-November 2017 and 2018
Item

2017

2018 as
percent
of 2017

2018

Layers during October
All layers .................................................................................................................. 1,000
Table egg type ..................................................................................................... 1,000
Hatching egg type ................................................................................................ 1,000
Broiler-type hatching ........................................................................................ 1,000
Egg-type hatching ............................................................................................ 1,000

378,028
317,758
60,270
57,117
3,153

386,176
325,280
60,896
57,502
3,394

102
102
101
101
108

Eggs per 100 layers during October
All layers ............................................................................................................... number
Table egg type .................................................................................................. number
Hatching egg type ............................................................................................. number
Broiler-type hatching ..................................................................................... number
Egg-type hatching ......................................................................................... number

2,360
2,443
1,920
1,898
2,306

2,388
2,470
1,946
1,911
2,543

101
101
101
101
110

Eggs produced during October
All layers ................................................................................................................. million
Table egg type .................................................................................................... million
Hatching egg type ............................................................................................... million
Broiler-type hatching ....................................................................................... million
Egg-type hatching ........................................................................................... million

8,920.2
7,763.3
1,156.9
1,084.2
72.7

9,220.1
8,035.2
1,184.9
1,098.6
86.3

103
104
102
101
119

Eggs produced during October
All layers ....................................................................................................... 1,000 dozen
Table egg type .......................................................................................... 1,000 dozen
Hatching egg type ..................................................................................... 1,000 dozen
Broiler-type hatching ............................................................................. 1,000 dozen
Egg-type hatching ................................................................................. 1,000 dozen

743,350.7
646,941.9
96,408.8
90,350.3
6,058.5

768,342.0
669,600.3
98,741.7
91,550.1
7,191.6

103
104
102
101
119

Layers on November 1
All layers .................................................................................................................. 1,000
Table egg type ..................................................................................................... 1,000
Hatching egg type ................................................................................................ 1,000
Broiler-type hatching ........................................................................................ 1,000
Egg-type hatching ............................................................................................ 1,000

379,323
319,373
59,950
56,852
3,098

386,461
325,556
60,905
57,595
3,310

102
102
102
101
107

Eggs per 100 layers on November 1
All layers ............................................................................................................... number
Table egg type .................................................................................................. number
Hatching egg type ............................................................................................. number
Broiler-type hatching ..................................................................................... number
Egg-type hatching ......................................................................................... number

76.3
79.0
62.0
61.2
76.1

77.1
79.8
62.7
61.6
82.8

101
101
101
101
109

Molted layers on November 1
Being molted ......................................................................................................... percent
Molt completed ..................................................................................................... percent

2.0
16.8

1.5
15.0

75
89

Layers sold for slaughter during October ..................................................................... 1,000

14,586.3

13,383.5

92

Layers rendered, died, destroyed, composted
or disappeared for any reason during October ........................................................... 1,000

8,796.1

10,709.6

122

Pullets on November 1 ................................................................................................ 1,000

113,246

125,643

111

Pullets added during October 1 .................................................................................... 1,000

26,785.9

25,880.8

97

1

Pullet chicks less than 3 days old added to pullet flocks.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

7

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During September 2017 and 2018
State

Table egg layers in
flocks 30,000 and above

Eggs per 100 for
all layers

All layers

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

(eggs)

2018
(eggs)

Alabama .........................
Arkansas .........................
California ........................
Colorado .........................
Florida .............................
Georgia ...........................
Illinois ..............................
Indiana ............................
Iowa ................................
Maryland .........................

1,376
3,879
13,100
4,249
6,829
9,392
4,413
32,306
53,846
2,647

1,315
3,968
14,000
4,363
6,985
8,922
5,036
31,892
56,419
2,587

9,301
13,944
13,731
4,651
7,266
19,242
4,882
33,155
55,271
2,807

9,548
13,899
14,648
4,765
7,402
19,335
5,495
32,721
57,827
2,738

1,862
2,005
2,325
2,415
2,164
2,024
2,425
2,369
2,322
2,426

1,867
2,030
2,434
2,537
2,197
2,057
2,429
2,374
2,343
2,367

Michigan .........................
Minnesota .......................
Mississippi ......................
Missouri ..........................
Nebraska ........................
New York ........................
North Carolina .................
Ohio ................................
Oregon ............................
Pennsylvania ..................

13,820
9,805
1,432
6,267
7,484
5,064
7,038
29,910
2,221
25,751

15,643
10,750
1,455
7,759
7,921
4,921
4,675
31,654
2,109
25,744

14,041
10,285
5,555
9,848
7,753
5,432
15,284
30,817
2,360
27,643

15,865
11,236
5,516
11,450
8,239
5,311
12,587
32,647
2,248
27,860

2,463
2,383
2,115
2,280
2,418
2,548
2,113
2,351
2,585
2,434

2,394
2,473
2,078
2,367
2,502
2,487
2,066
2,383
2,585
2,430

South Carolina ................
South Dakota ..................
Texas ..............................
Utah ................................
Virginia ............................
Washington .....................
Wisconsin .......................

3,059
2,307
17,445
4,965
862
6,963
5,780

3,196
2,654
17,699
4,516
778
6,896
5,996

4,291
2,449
21,694
5,003
2,589
7,128
6,463

4,414
2,796
22,002
4,554
2,412
7,061
6,679

2,272
2,364
2,189
2,471
2,240
2,431
2,240

2,114
2,486
2,204
2,505
2,065
2,485
2,390

Other States 1 .................

23,873

25,310

32,863

34,579

2,196

2,268

United States ..................

306,083

315,163

375,748

385,834

2,283

2,310

1

8

Includes data for States not published in this table.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced – States and United States: During October 2017 and 2018
State

Table egg layers in
flocks 30,000 and above

Eggs per 100 for
all layers

All layers

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

(1,000 layers)

(eggs)

2018
(eggs)

Alabama ..........................
Arkansas .........................
California .........................
Colorado ..........................
Florida .............................
Georgia ...........................
Illinois ..............................
Indiana ............................
Iowa .................................
Maryland ..........................

1,373
3,952
13,862
4,176
6,944
9,447
4,412
32,128
54,108
2,625

1,326
4,095
13,852
4,572
6,993
8,929
4,905
31,781
56,390
2,584

9,486
13,932
14,499
4,578
7,346
19,405
4,855
32,993
55,529
2,786

9,487
13,997
14,495
4,974
7,381
19,610
5,373
32,600
57,825
2,734

1,924
2,054
2,335
2,650
2,307
2,124
2,509
2,481
2,403
2,495

1,931
2,058
2,554
2,589
2,261
2,141
2,453
2,430
2,422
2,546

Michigan ..........................
Minnesota ........................
Mississippi .......................
Missouri ...........................
Nebraska .........................
New York .........................
North Carolina .................
Ohio .................................
Oregon ............................
Pennsylvania ...................

14,099
9,792
1,406
6,394
7,440
4,992
6,943
30,280
2,203
26,279

15,569
10,777
1,430
7,681
8,083
4,979
4,750
31,805
2,105
25,891

14,320
10,237
5,521
9,959
7,714
5,364
15,150
31,189
2,342
28,159

15,784
11,247
5,501
11,362
8,390
5,380
12,689
32,799
2,244
27,993

2,508
2,428
2,193
2,404
2,514
2,623
2,158
2,419
2,635
2,505

2,468
2,506
2,171
2,434
2,553
2,502
2,114
2,469
2,594
2,513

South Carolina .................
South Dakota ...................
Texas ..............................
Utah .................................
Virginia ............................
Washington .....................
Wisconsin ........................

2,913
2,501
17,641
4,893
849
6,637
6,039

3,211
2,696
17,723
4,395
879
6,918
6,010

4,151
2,643
21,862
4,931
2,519
6,802
6,706

4,454
2,838
21,877
4,433
2,499
7,083
6,681

2,320
2,497
2,279
2,567
2,342
2,493
2,249

2,243
2,622
2,370
2,581
2,109
2,640
2,365

Other States 1 ..................

24,011

25,201

33,050

34,446

2,263

2,347

United States ...................

308,339

315,530

378,028

386,176

2,360

2,388

1

Includes data for States not published in this table.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

Egg Production by Type – States and United States: September 2017 and 2018
[Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals]
State

Total production

Table eggs

Hatching eggs

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

Alabama ...........................
Arkansas ...........................
California ..........................
Colorado ...........................
Florida ...............................
Georgia .............................
Illinois ................................
Indiana ..............................
Iowa ..................................
Maryland ...........................

173.2
279.6
319.3
112.3
157.2
389.4
118.4
785.6
1,283.6
68.1

178.3
282.1
356.5
120.9
162.6
397.8
133.5
776.8
1,354.6
64.8

34.8
97.5
(D)
(D)
151.9
210.7
114.0
769.6
1,267.3
67.1

32.5
100.8
(D)
(D)
157.2
204.9
129.8
761.7
1,335.7
63.9

138.4
182.1
(D)
(D)
5.3
178.7
4.4
16.0
16.3
1.0

145.8
181.3
(D)
(D)
5.4
192.9
3.7
15.1
18.9
0.9

Michigan ...........................
Minnesota .........................
Mississippi ........................
Missouri ............................
Nebraska ..........................
New York ..........................
North Carolina ...................
Ohio ..................................
Oregon ..............................
Pennsylvania ....................

345.8
245.1
117.5
224.5
187.5
138.4
322.9
724.4
61.0
672.8

379.8
277.9
114.6
271.0
206.1
132.1
260.0
778.1
58.1
677.0

(D)
239.1
37.7
(D)
183.6
(D)
172.9
(D)
61.0
646.0

(D)
271.7
35.8
(D)
200.2
(D)
113.7
(D)
58.1
646.6

(D)
6.0
79.8
(D)
3.9
(D)
150.0
(D)
26.8

(D)
6.2
78.8
(D)
5.9
(D)
146.3
(D)
30.4

South Carolina ..................
South Dakota ....................
Texas ................................
Utah ..................................
Virginia ..............................
Washington .......................
Wisconsin .........................

97.5
57.9
474.8
123.6
58.0
173.3
144.8

93.3
69.5
485.0
114.1
49.8
175.5
159.6

74.9
57.9
(D)
123.6
27.7
(D)
(D)

71.5
69.5
(D)
114.1
20.3
(D)
(D)

22.6
(D)
30.3
(D)
(D)

21.8
(D)
29.5
(D)
(D)

Other States 1 ...................

721.8

784.1

592.4

650.8

129.4

133.3

United States ....................

8,578.3

8,913.5

7,456.6

7,759.8

1,121.7

1,153.7

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.

10

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Egg Production by Type – States and United States: October 2017 and 2018
[Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals]
State

Total production

Table eggs

Hatching eggs

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

(million eggs)

Alabama ............................
Arkansas ...........................
California ...........................
Colorado ............................
Florida ...............................
Georgia .............................
Illinois ................................
Indiana ..............................
Iowa ...................................
Maryland ............................

182.5
286.2
338.6
121.3
169.5
412.1
121.8
818.5
1,334.3
69.5

183.2
288.0
370.2
128.8
166.9
419.9
131.8
792.1
1,400.3
69.6

37.0
100.9
(D)
(D)
164.4
225.8
117.8
801.9
1,317.5
68.5

34.3
104.5
(D)
(D)
162.2
214.1
127.7
776.4
1,379.5
68.6

145.5
185.3
(D)
(D)
5.1
186.3
4.0
16.6
16.8
1.0

148.9
183.5
(D)
(D)
4.7
205.8
4.1
15.7
20.8
1.0

Michigan ............................
Minnesota ..........................
Mississippi .........................
Missouri .............................
Nebraska ...........................
New York ...........................
North Carolina ...................
Ohio ...................................
Oregon ..............................
Pennsylvania .....................

359.1
248.6
121.1
239.4
193.9
140.7
327.0
754.6
61.7
705.4

389.5
281.9
119.4
276.5
214.2
134.6
268.3
809.8
58.2
703.5

(D)
242.2
37.6
(D)
189.7
(D)
171.7
(D)
61.7
680.0

(D)
276.0
37.2
(D)
208.4
(D)
118.7
(D)
58.2
671.9

(D)
6.4
83.5
(D)
4.2
(D)
155.3
(D)
25.4

(D)
5.9
82.2
(D)
5.8
(D)
149.6
(D)
31.6

South Carolina ...................
South Dakota .....................
Texas ................................
Utah ...................................
Virginia ..............................
Washington .......................
Wisconsin ..........................

96.3
66.0
498.2
126.6
59.0
169.6
150.8

99.9
74.4
518.4
114.4
52.7
187.0
158.0

73.3
66.0
(D)
126.6
28.5
(D)
(D)

77.2
74.4
(D)
114.4
22.7
(D)
(D)

23.0
(D)
30.5
(D)
(D)

22.7
(D)
30.0
(D)
(D)

Other States 1 ....................

747.9

808.6

613.9

671.6

134.0

137.0

United States .....................

8,920.2

9,220.1

7,763.3

8,035.2

1,156.9

1,184.9

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

11

Egg Production in Dozens by Type – States and United States: September 2017 and 2018
[Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals]
State

Total production
2017

Table eggs

2018

2017

Hatching eggs
2018

2017

2018

(1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs)
Alabama .........................
Arkansas .........................
California ........................
Colorado .........................
Florida .............................
Georgia ...........................
Illinois ..............................
Indiana ............................
Iowa ................................
Maryland .........................

14,433.3
23,300.0
26,608.4
9,358.3
13,100.0
32,450.0
9,866.7
65,466.7
106,966.6
5,675.0

14,858.3
23,508.3
29,708.4
10,075.0
13,550.0
33,150.0
11,125.0
64,733.3
112,883.3
5,400.0

2,900.0
8,125.0
(D)
(D)
12,658.3
17,558.3
9,500.0
64,133.3
105,608.3
5,591.7

2,708.3
8,400.0
(D)
(D)
13,100.0
17,075.0
10,816.6
63,475.0
111,308.3
5,325.0

11,533.3
15,175.0
(D)
(D)
441.7
14,891.7
366.7
1,333.4
1,358.3
83.3

12,150.0
15,108.3
(D)
(D)
450.0
16,075.0
308.4
1,258.3
1,575.0
75.0

Michigan .........................
Minnesota .......................
Mississippi ......................
Missouri ..........................
Nebraska ........................
New York ........................
North Carolina .................
Ohio ................................
Oregon ............................
Pennsylvania ..................

28,816.7
20,425.0
9,791.7
18,708.3
15,625.0
11,533.3
26,908.3
60,366.6
5,083.3
56,066.6

31,650.0
23,158.3
9,549.9
22,583.4
17,175.0
11,008.3
21,666.7
64,841.7
4,841.7
56,416.6

(D)
19,925.0
3,141.7
(D)
15,300.0
(D)
14,408.3
(D)
5,083.3
53,833.3

(D)
22,641.6
2,983.3
(D)
16,683.3
(D)
9,475.0
(D)
4,841.7
53,883.3

(D)
500.0
6,650.0
(D)
325.0
(D)
12,500.0
(D)
2,233.3

(D)
516.7
6,566.6
(D)
491.7
(D)
12,191.7
(D)
2,533.3

South Carolina ................
South Dakota ..................
Texas ..............................
Utah ................................
Virginia ............................
Washington .....................
Wisconsin .......................

8,125.0
4,825.0
39,566.7
10,300.0
4,833.4
14,441.7
12,066.6

7,775.0
5,791.7
40,416.6
9,508.3
4,150.1
14,625.0
13,300.0

6,241.7
4,825.0
(D)
10,300.0
2,308.4
(D)
(D)

5,958.3
5,791.7
(D)
9,508.3
1,691.7
(D)
(D)

1,883.3
(D)
2,525.0
(D)
(D)

1,816.7
(D)
2,458.4
(D)
(D)

Other States 1 .................

60,150.0

65,341.8

49,366.7

54,233.5

10,783.3

11,108.3

United States ..................

714,858.2

742,791.7

621,383.2

646,650.0

93,475.0

96,141.7

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.

12

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Egg Production in Dozens by Type – States and United States: October 2017 and 2018
[Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing individual operations, data included in United States totals]
State

Total production
2017

Table eggs

2018

2017

Hatching eggs
2018

2017

2018

(1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs) (1,000 dozen eggs)
Alabama .........................
Arkansas ........................
California ........................
Colorado .........................
Florida ............................
Georgia ..........................
Illinois .............................
Indiana ...........................
Iowa ................................
Maryland .........................

15,208.4
23,850.1
28,216.7
10,108.3
14,125.0
34,341.7
10,150.1
68,208.3
111,191.7
5,791.7

15,266.6
24,000.1
30,850.1
10,733.4
13,908.3
34,991.7
10,983.4
66,008.3
116,691.6
5,800.0

3,083.4
8,408.4
(D)
(D)
13,700.0
18,816.7
9,816.7
66,825.0
109,791.7
5,708.4

2,858.3
8,708.4
(D)
(D)
13,516.6
17,841.7
10,641.7
64,700.0
114,958.3
5,716.7

12,125.0
15,441.7
(D)
(D)
425.0
15,525.0
333.4
1,383.3
1,400.0
83.3

12,408.3
15,291.7
(D)
(D)
391.7
17,150.0
341.7
1,308.3
1,733.3
83.3

Michigan .........................
Minnesota .......................
Mississippi ......................
Missouri ..........................
Nebraska ........................
New York ........................
North Carolina ................
Ohio ................................
Oregon ...........................
Pennsylvania ..................

29,925.1
20,716.7
10,091.8
19,950.0
16,158.3
11,725.0
27,250.0
62,883.3
5,141.6
58,783.3

32,458.4
23,491.7
9,950.0
23,041.7
17,850.0
11,216.7
22,358.4
67,483.3
4,850.0
58,624.9

(D)
20,183.3
3,133.4
(D)
15,808.3
(D)
14,308.3
(D)
5,141.6
56,666.7

(D)
23,000.0
3,100.0
(D)
17,366.7
(D)
9,891.7
(D)
4,850.0
55,991.6

(D)
533.4
6,958.4
(D)
350.0
(D)
12,941.7
(D)
2,116.6

(D)
491.7
6,850.0
(D)
483.3
(D)
12,466.7
(D)
2,633.3

South Carolina ................
South Dakota ..................
Texas .............................
Utah ................................
Virginia ...........................
Washington ....................
Wisconsin .......................

8,025.1
5,500.0
41,516.6
10,550.0
4,916.7
14,133.3
12,566.7

8,325.0
6,200.0
43,200.0
9,533.3
4,391.7
15,583.3
13,166.7

6,108.4
5,500.0
(D)
10,550.0
2,375.0
(D)
(D)

6,433.3
6,200.0
(D)
9,533.3
1,891.7
(D)
(D)

1,916.7
(D)
2,541.7
(D)
(D)

1,891.7
(D)
2,500.0
(D)
(D)

Other States 1 .................

62,325.2

67,383.4

51,158.3

55,966.8

11,166.9

11,416.6

United States ..................

743,350.7

768,342.0

646,941.9

669,600.3

96,408.8

98,741.7

- Represents zero.
(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
1
Not published separately to avoid disclosing individual operations.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

13

Molted as Percent of All Layers on the First of the Month – United States: 2017-2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
Being molted

Month

Molt completed

2017

2018

(percent)
January .................................................
February ...............................................
March ....................................................
April ......................................................
May .......................................................
June ......................................................
July .......................................................
August ..................................................
September ............................................
October .................................................
November .............................................
December .............................................

2017

(percent)

2018

(percent)

1.7
2.2
2.4
1.7
2.7
2.4
2.4
2.5
3.5
2.9
2.0
1.2

1.9
2.9
1.8
1.8
3.1
3.0
2.3
2.3
2.6
2.2
1.5

(percent)
15.7
15.3
15.2
15.6
14.9
14.9
15.4
15.5
15.4
16.2
16.8
17.1

16.3
15.8
15.9
15.3
14.3
14.8
15.2
14.9
14.6
15.2
15.0

Molted as Percent of All Layers – States and United States: October 1 and November 1, 2017-2018
Being molted
State

October 1

Molt completed
November 1

October 1

November 1

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alabama ...............................................
Arkansas ...............................................
California ..............................................
Colorado ...............................................
Florida ...................................................
Georgia .................................................
Illinois ....................................................
Indiana ..................................................
Iowa ......................................................
Maryland ...............................................

1.0
2.5
1.5
8.5
3.5
1.0
5.0
-

0.5
2.5
1.5
1.0
7.0
3.0
1.0
2.5
-

2.0
2.5
2.5
4.0
2.0
3.5
-

0.5
1.0
5.0
0.5
1.0
2.5
-

4.0
8.5
15.5
10.0
68.0
9.0
12.0
16.5
20.5
-

6.0
7.0
11.5
5.5
35.5
10.5
15.5
16.5
21.5
-

4.5
9.5
13.0
11.0
70.0
12.0
10.5
16.5
23.5
-

6.0
9.0
11.5
6.0
34.5
9.5
13.0
16.5
20.5
-

Michigan ...............................................
Minnesota .............................................
Mississippi ............................................
Missouri ................................................
Nebraska ..............................................
New York ..............................................
North Carolina .......................................
Ohio ......................................................
Oregon ..................................................
Pennsylvania ........................................

4.0
1.5
0.5
8.5
3.0
5.0
0.5

1.5
2.0
1.5
3.5
1.0
1.0
5.0
0.5

1.0
4.5
2.5
4.0
1.5

0.5
2.0
3.5
1.5
0.5
4.0
-

6.0
7.5
13.5
10.5
1.0
4.5
12.5
24.5
4.5
5.5

4.0
9.0
17.5
7.0
9.5
4.0
8.0
24.0
7.0
3.0

6.0
10.0
12.0
10.5
7.5
4.0
15.0
23.5
4.5
5.5

3.5
6.5
18.5
7.0
12.5
2.5
7.5
24.0
5.5
2.0

South Carolina ......................................
South Dakota ........................................
Texas ....................................................
Utah ......................................................
Virginia ..................................................
Washington ...........................................
Wisconsin .............................................

4.0
4.0
5.0
11.0

4.5
4.0
3.5
1.0
5.5

2.0
0.5
4.0
4.0
1.5

2.5
1.0
1.5
3.0

13.5
7.5
38.5
26.0
17.0
21.5

14.5
13.0
36.5
30.0
8.0
13.0
12.0

7.5
10.0
36.0
19.0
15.0
29.0

18.5
6.5
37.0
28.5
7.5
13.5
17.0

Other States 1 .......................................

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.5

14.6

15.7

14.6

15.4

United States ........................................

2.9

2.2

2.0

1.5

16.2

15.2

16.8

15.0

- Represents zero.
1
Includes data for States not published in this table.

14

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Hatchery Production – United States: 2017 and 2018
Item

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000)

(1,000)

(percent)

Egg-type
Eggs in incubators on November 1 ..........................................................................
Chicks hatched during October ................................................................................
Chicks hatched January through October ................................................................

45,314
51,495
487,346

45,237
55,019
541,731

100
107
111

Pullets hatched during October for intended placements:
Hatchery supply flocks ...........................................................................................
Cumulative potential placements 7-18 months earlier 1 ..........................................

198
3,057

225
2,652

114
87

Broiler-type
Eggs in incubators on November 1 ..........................................................................
Chicks hatched during October ................................................................................
Chicks hatched January through October ................................................................

651,641
793,994
8,014,038

649,449
790,123
8,109,478

100
100
101

Pullets hatched during October for intended placements:
Hatchery supply flocks ...........................................................................................
Cumulative potential placements 7-15 months earlier 2 ..........................................

7,589
68,440

7,275
69,421

96
101

1
2

2018 includes pullet chicks hatched April 2017 through March 2018.
2018 includes pullet chicks hatched July 2017 through March 2018.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

15

Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators on the First of the Month – United States: 2017 and 2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
Item

January ........................................................................................................................
February ......................................................................................................................
March ...........................................................................................................................
April .............................................................................................................................
May ..............................................................................................................................
June .............................................................................................................................
July ..............................................................................................................................
August .........................................................................................................................
September ...................................................................................................................
October ........................................................................................................................
November ....................................................................................................................
December ....................................................................................................................

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000)

(1,000)

(percent)

40,153
47,805
51,915
51,969
48,346
46,550
41,403
40,490
40,655
46,510
45,314
46,780

46,750
51,216
56,120
55,990
56,063
50,523
46,390
46,678
50,036
51,647
45,237

116
107
108
108
116
109
112
115
123
111
100

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2017-2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
By months
Month

January .....................
February ...................
March ........................
April ..........................
May ...........................
June ..........................
July ...........................
August ......................
September ................
October .....................
November .................
December .................

16

Cumulative

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

(percent)

45,367
48,127
55,919
52,762
53,506
49,722
41,862
45,861
42,725
51,495
48,344
46,080

52,313
50,148
58,147
58,986
60,063
53,486
50,752
53,207
49,610
55,019

115
104
104
112
112
108
121
116
116
107

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

(percent)

45,367
93,494
149,413
202,175
255,681
305,403
347,265
393,126
435,851
487,346
535,690
581,770

52,313
102,461
160,608
219,594
279,657
333,143
383,895
437,102
486,712
541,731

115
110
107
109
109
109
111
111
112
111

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Intended Placements of Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month –
United States: 2017-2019
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Month

2017

2018

(1,000 chicks)
January ......................................
February .....................................
March .........................................
April ............................................
May ............................................
June ...........................................
July .............................................
August ........................................
September ..................................
October ......................................
November ...................................
December ...................................

222
180
189
245
298
334
246
144
190
198
150
279

Total ...........................................

2,675

1

Cumulative potential placements
relative to current supply
flocks 7-18 months earlier 1

2018 as
percent
of 2017

Pullet chicks hatched

(1,000 chicks)

2018

(percent)

231
153
184
215
199
165
176
192
188
225

2019

(1,000 chicks)
104
85
97
88
67
49
72
133
99
114

(1,000 chicks)

3,012
2,972
2,792
2,801
2,675
2,555
2,675
2,684
2,657
2,652
2,622
2,523

2,354
2,284
2,332
2,330
2,357

For October 2018, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched April 2017 through March 2018. 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 – United States: 2017 and 2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
Item

January .......................................................................................................................
February ......................................................................................................................
March ..........................................................................................................................
April .............................................................................................................................
May .............................................................................................................................
June ............................................................................................................................
July ..............................................................................................................................
August .........................................................................................................................
September ...................................................................................................................
October .......................................................................................................................
November ....................................................................................................................
December ....................................................................................................................

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000)

(1,000)

(percent)

659,724
659,229
667,521
667,436
667,043
674,786
672,199
680,570
672,108
650,192
651,641
684,691

680,502
674,490
682,716
683,117
691,301
695,586
688,754
687,393
671,760
648,519
649,449

103
102
102
102
104
103
102
101
100
100
100

17

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched – States and United States: October 2017 and 2018
During October
State

January-October

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017
(percent)

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017
(percent)

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

Alabama .................................................
Arkansas .................................................
Delaware ................................................
Florida .....................................................
Georgia ...................................................
Kentucky .................................................
Louisiana ................................................
Maryland .................................................
Mississippi ..............................................
Missouri ..................................................

105,620
84,449
17,442
4,320
121,394
27,069
12,482
29,505
64,878
28,749

107,303
85,838
17,491
4,112
120,899
26,043
12,293
29,095
65,112
29,636

102
102
100
95
100
96
98
99
100
103

1,074,832
840,264
175,710
41,365
1,239,210
267,654
128,204
294,395
654,710
300,361

1,079,828
870,410
182,936
41,038
1,242,072
271,206
127,522
292,604
667,808
299,513

100
104
104
99
100
101
99
99
102
100

North Carolina .........................................
Oklahoma ...............................................
Pennsylvania ..........................................
South Carolina ........................................
Texas ......................................................
Virginia ....................................................
California, Tennessee,
and West Virginia ..................................

78,847
26,946
16,922
20,236
56,705
23,702

72,708
27,645
19,365
20,432
56,008
22,626

92
103
114
101
99
95

784,908
267,936
169,879
200,489
579,876
236,284

793,442
269,451
198,575
202,632
575,564
229,102

101
101
117
101
99
97

41,531

40,375

97

427,212

432,776

101

Other States 1 .........................................

33,197

33,142

100

330,749

332,999

101

United States ..........................................

793,994

790,123

100

8,014,038

8,109,478

101

1

Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched by Month – United States: 2017-2018
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
By months
Month

January .....................
February ...................
March ........................
April ..........................
May ...........................
June ..........................
July ...........................
August ......................
September ................
October .....................
November .................
December .................

18

Cumulative

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

(percent)

807,491
730,311
818,701
793,227
820,621
802,010
826,602
832,983
788,098
793,994
774,598
827,498

822,829
734,729
828,179
802,652
838,720
821,452
843,942
839,600
787,252
790,123

102
101
101
101
102
102
102
101
100
100

2017

2018

2018 as
percent
of 2017

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

(percent)

807,491
1,537,802
2,356,503
3,149,730
3,970,351
4,772,361
5,598,963
6,431,946
7,220,044
8,014,038
8,788,636
9,616,134

822,829
1,557,558
2,385,737
3,188,389
4,027,109
4,848,561
5,692,503
6,532,103
7,319,355
8,109,478

102
101
101
101
101
102
102
102
101
101

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Intended Placements of Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks by Month and
Total: 2017-2019
[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Month

2017

2018

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

United States placements
January ........................................
February ......................................
March ..........................................
April .............................................
May .............................................
June ............................................
July ..............................................
August .........................................
September ...................................
October ........................................
November ....................................
December ....................................

7,163
7,832
8,262
7,045
8,159
8,258
7,085
8,156
8,240
7,589
7,943
7,594

Annual total .....................................

93,326

Total placements 2
January ........................................
February ......................................
March ..........................................
April .............................................
May .............................................
June ............................................
July ..............................................
August .........................................
September ...................................
October ........................................
November ....................................
December ....................................

8,764
9,958
10,047
8,592
9,806
9,903
8,598
9,988
10,042
9,605
9,695
9,278

Annual total .....................................

114,276

Cumulative potential placements
relative to current supply
flocks 7-15 months earlier 1

2018 as
percent
of 2017

Pullet chicks hatched

(percent)

7,071
7,631
8,112
7,714
8,301
8,344
7,497
8,361
8,286
7,275

99
97
98
109
102
101
106
103
101
96

8,736
9,540
9,806
9,360
10,197
10,165
8,867
10,120
9,895
8,977

100
96
98
109
104
103
103
101
99
93

2018

2019

(1,000 chicks)

(1,000 chicks)

68,873
69,049
69,495
70,200
70,626
70,737
70,069
70,095
69,567
69,421
70,050
70,195

70,299
70,207
70,625
71,317
71,521

1

For October 2018, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched July 2017 through March 2018.
2
United States production of intended placements worldwide.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

19

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
regional 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.
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 0.9 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the
current estimate of 386 million layers by more than 0.9 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not
exceed 1.5 percent.

20

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of Layer and Egg Estimates
[Based on data for the past twenty-four months]
Item

Difference between first and latest estimate

Root mean
square error

90 percent
confidence
level

Average

Smallest

Largest

(percent)

(percent)

(1,000)

(1,000)

(1,000)

All layers .........................................

0.9

1.5

Eggs ...............................................

0.9

1.5

2,045
(million)

3
(million)

51

1

9,953

Months
Below latest

Above latest

(number)

(number)
22

2

23

1

(million)
243

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.

Chickens and Eggs (November 2018)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

21

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
Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ......................................................................................................... (202) 720-3570
Tony Dorn, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section ..................................................................... (202) 690-3223
Holly Brenize – Poultry Slaughter ............................................................................................................. (202) 720-0585
Alissa Cowell-Mytar – Cold Storage, Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses .......................................... (202) 720-4751
Liana Cuffman – Catfish and Trout, Egg Products, Mink, Census of Aquaculture ................................. (202) 720-8784
Fatema Haque – Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery ............................................................................. (202) 720-3244
Kim Linonis – Layers, Eggs ..................................................................................................................... (202) 690-3676
Adam Peters – Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised .................................................................................... (202) 690-3237
Erica Sadler – Cost of Pollination, Honey, Honey Bee Colonies ............................................................. (202) 720-6147

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: 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 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) 727-9540,
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov.

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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
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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 www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, or
at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the
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