U.S. Egg Output Up in April

WASHINGTON - May 22/06 - SNS -- Egg production in the United States increased, while the number of chicks hatched in April dropped below year earlier levels, according to the USDA.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.54 billion during April 2006, up 2% from last year. Production included 6.48 billion table eggs, and 1.07 billion hatching eggs, of which 998 million were broiler-type and 68 million were egg-type. The number of layers during April 2006 averaged 348 million, up 1% from last year. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,164 eggs, up slightly from April 2005.

All layers in the U.S. on May 1, 2006, totaled 347 million, up 1% from last year. The 347 million layers consisted of 289 million layers producing table-type eggs, 55.3 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.86 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on May 1, 2006, averaged 71.5 eggs per 100 layers, down slightly from May 1, 2005.

Egg-type chicks hatched during April 2006 totaled 34.6 million, down 9% from April 2005. Eggs in incubators totaled 37.0 million on May 1, 2006, down 1% from a year ago.

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