News

May egg production down 6% on year

U.S. egg production was down in May.

The USDA says egg production last month totaled 8.586 billion, a drop of 6% on the year, with the laying hen flock 5% smaller than a year ago at 351.032 million head and a slight year-to-year decline in average production per layer to 2,446 eggs per 100 birds.

That decrease in production comes as even as many commercial U.S. poultry operations continue their efforts to expand production following highly pathogenic avian influenza infections over the winter and spring.

Those expansion signals were mixed.

The number of egg-type chicks hatched during May were up 8% from last year, with 11% more eggs in incubation, but placements into future hatchery supply flocks fell 4%.

The number of broiler-type chicks hatched in May and the number of broiler-type eggs in incubation were both up 1%, but placements were 1% lower.

The USDA’s updated annual egg production estimate is out July 11^th.