Production included 6.43 billion table eggs, and 1.13 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 65 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during May 2005 averaged 342 million, down slightly from a year earlier. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,210 eggs, up one percent from May 2004.

All layers in the U.S. on June 1, 2005, totaled 342 million, down one percent from a year ago. The 342 million layers consisted of 282 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.8 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.70 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on June 1, 2005, averaged 71.3 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from a year ago.

All Egg Production United States 2003 - 2005 During the Month

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 2 Percent

Egg-type chicks hatched during May 2005 totaled 37.4 million, down 2 percent from May 2004. Eggs in incubators totaled 33.2 million on June 1, 2005, down 4 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 190,000 during May 2005, up 21 percent from May 2004.

Broiler Hatch Up 2 Percent

Broiler-type chicks hatched during May 2005 totaled 823 million, up 2 percent from May 2004. Eggs in incubators totaled 667 million on June 1, 2005, up 1 percent from a year earlier.

Leading breeders placed 7.78 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during May 2005, up 3 percent from May 2004.

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Source: USDA NASS - Chickens and Eggs Report - 21st June 2005