General Increase in U.S. Poultry Activity in 2005

WASHINGTON - Feb 27/06 - SNS -- The poultry sector continued its upward trend through 2005, with all aspects of the sector posting annual increase, according to the USDA's year end report for poultry and eggs.

Layer numbers averaged 344 million in 2005, up slightly from the year earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2005 was 262 eggs, up slightly from the 2004 average of 261.

Egg production during the year ending November 30, 2005 totaled a record high 90.0 billion eggs, up 1% from 2004. Table egg production, at 76.9 billion eggs, was up 1% from the previous year. Hatching egg production, at 13.1 billion eggs, up 2% from 2004.

The total number of chickens on hand on December 1, 2005 (excluding commercial broilers) was 453 million birds, down slightly from last year.

The total value of all chickens on December 1, 2005 was $1.13 billion, up 1% from December 1, 2004. The average value increased from $2.48 per bird on December 1, 2004, to $2.50 per bird on December 1, 2005.

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