Production included 6.31 billion table eggs, and 1.07 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.01 billion were broiler-type and 59 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during September 2005 averaged 342 million, down 1 percent from a year earlier. September egg production per 100 layers was 2,155 eggs, up 1 percent from September 2004.

All layers in the U.S. on October 1, 2005, totaled 343 million, down slightly from a year ago. The 343 million layers consisted of 286 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 55.1 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.46 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on October 1, 2005, averaged 71.9 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from October 1, 2004.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 8 Percent

Egg-type chicks hatched during September 2005 totaled 33.8 million, down 8 percent from September 2004. Eggs in incubators totaled 31.8 million on October 1, 2005, down 5 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 375,000 during September 2005, up 83 percent from September 2004.

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