Higher Average Number of Layers

WASHINGTON - Feb 27/07 - SNS -- The average number of layers on hand during 2006 was 346 million, up 1% from the previous year, according to the USDA. Average production per layer on hand in 2006 was 263 eggs, up slightly from the 2005 average of 262.

Toatl egg output for the year ending November 30, 2006 totaled a record high 90.9 billion eggs, up 1% from 2005. Table egg production, at 78.0 billion eggs, was up 1% from the previous year. Hatching egg production, at 12.9 billion eggs, was down 2% from 2005.

Chickens on hand as of December 1, 2006 (excluding commercial broilers) totalled 453 million birds, down slightly from last year. The total value of all chickens on December 1, 2006 was $1.18 billion, up 3% from December 1, 2005. The average value increased from $2.52 per bird on December 1, 2005, to $2.60 per bird on December 1, 2006.

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