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April egg production modestly higher

 

U.S. egg production during April 2015 was modestly higher than in April 2014, according to the USDA.

Production totaled 8.212 million eggs, including 7.114 billion table eggs and 1.098 billion hatching eggs. For the hatching eggs, 1.01 billion were for broilers and 87 million were egg-type.

The number of layers during April averaged 358 million head, down 1% from last year, and production per 100 layers averaged 2,291 eggs, up 1%. All layers on May 1st were reported at 354 million head, 2% under a year ago, and the rate of lay per day averaged nearly 76 eggs per 100 layers, unchanged on the year.

Egg-type chicks hatched were 49.6 million, a 9% increase, but domestic placements of egg-type pullets for future hatchery supplies were 219,000 head, a 10% decrease. Broiler-type chicks hatched were 773 million, 3% above a year ago, and breeders placed 7.09 million broiler-type pullets on feed for future hatchery supply flock, 6% more than in April 2014.

Egg production numbers for May are out June 22nd and could show a larger impact from Avian Influenza.