The total number of layers during March 2011 averaged 340 million, down 1% from last year. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,302 eggs, up slightly from March 2010.
On April 1, all layers in the US totaled 342 million, down slightly from last year. The 342 million layers consisted of 284 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 54.5 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs and 2.93 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on April 1 averaged 74.5 eggs per 100 layers, down slightly from April 1 of last year.
During March, egg-type chicks hatched totaled 44.0 million, down 2% from March 2010. Eggs in incubators totaled 40.8 million on April 1, down 5% from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 275 thousand during March, up 6% from March 2010.
Broiler-type chicks hatched during March totaled 794 million, up 1% from March 2010. Eggs in incubators totaled 650 million on April 1, up 1% from one year earlier.
During March, leading breeders placed 6.73 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks, up 1% from March 2010.
