How to Read the USDA Chickens and Eggs Report — Layers, Egg Production, Hatchery Output and Revisions
USDA Chickens and Eggs of October 20, 2026: U.S. September egg production 9.20 billion, up 6% from 2025; layers averaged 385 million, up 5%; egg-type chicks hatched down 8%.
Key figures (Chickens and Eggs, October 2026)
As of 30 October 2026 (KST); most recently published report: Chickens and Eggs, released October 20, 2026, by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), with September 2026 data and layers on October 1, 2026. The NASS reports-by-date calendar for October 2026 lists the October 20 release at 3:00 pm ET; the publication page lists the next releases on November 23 and December 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM without a time zone. Primary source: https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/796112/ckeg1026.txt[1][2][3]
| Indicator (United States) | Previous (August 2026) | Current (September 2026) | Change vs previous | Change vs year ago (September 2025) | Evidence type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total egg production (million eggs) | 9,457.8 | 9,203.0 | -254.8 (this page's subtraction) | published 106% of 8,704.1 | levels and year-ago percent: USDA NASS primary statistical record (report tables); change vs previous: this page's subtraction |
| Table egg production (million eggs) | 8,146.3 | 7,931.6 | -214.7 (this page's subtraction) | published 106% of 7,448.6 | levels and year-ago percent: USDA NASS primary statistical record (report tables); change vs previous: this page's subtraction |
| Average layers during the month (1,000) | 383,405 | 385,065 | +1,660 (this page's subtraction) | published 105% of 368,338 | levels and year-ago percent: USDA NASS primary statistical record (report tables); change vs previous: this page's subtraction |
| Eggs per 100 layers during the month | 2,467 | 2,390 | -77 (this page's subtraction) | published 101% of 2,363 | levels and year-ago percent: USDA NASS primary statistical record (report tables); change vs previous: this page's subtraction |
| Egg-type chicks hatched (1,000) | 52,526 | 51,321 | -1,205 (this page's subtraction) | published 92% of 55,639 | levels and year-ago percent: USDA NASS primary statistical record (report tables); change vs previous: this page's subtraction |
| Broiler-type chicks hatched (1,000) | 887,074 | 849,406 | -37,668 (this page's subtraction) | published 100% of 847,190 | levels and year-ago percent: USDA NASS primary statistical record (report tables); change vs previous: this page's subtraction |
Comparison basis: levels are as published; the year-ago percentages are the report's own whole-number figures, and the changes from August are this page's subtraction of the published levels. The text gives the same figures rounded (for example 9.20 billion eggs and 385 million layers). The release, publication page and calendar are all from USDA and count as one source.[1]
In three lines
1. The monthly NASS report estimates U.S. laying flocks, egg production by type, and chicks hatched and pullet placements by hatcheries.
2. As published on October 20, 2026, September 2026 egg production was 9.20 billion eggs, up 6% from a year earlier, from an average of 385 million layers.
3. The next reports are listed for November 23 and December 21, 2026.[1][2]
What the report says (in NASS's words)
"United States egg production totaled 9.20 billion during September 2026, up 6 percent from last year." "The average number of layers during September 2026 totaled 385 million, up 5 percent from last year." "September egg production per 100 layers was 2,390 eggs, up 1 percent from September 2025." "Egg-type chicks hatched during September 2026 totaled 51.3 million, down 8 percent from September 2025." "Broiler-type chicks hatched during September 2026 totaled 849 million, up slightly from September 2025."[1]
Definitions. "Total Layers includes both table egg and hatching egg flocks regardless of size." Data come from producers with at least 30,000 table egg layers, hatchery supply flocks, pullet-only operations with at least 500 pullets, and hatcheries above size thresholds; "Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated each month based on data reported in December."[1]
Reading in pairs
Average during the month vs first of the month. The report gives two layer counts: an average during September 2026 (385,065 thousand) and an inventory on a single date (385,519 thousand on September 1 and 384,582 thousand on October 1). Monthly production per 100 layers (September) was 2,390 eggs, while the October 1 daily rate of lay was 79.6 eggs per 100 layers.[1]
Large flocks vs all layers. Table egg layers in flocks of 30,000 and above numbered 306,449 thousand in September 2026, out of 385,065 thousand total layers, which also include hatching-egg flocks and smaller flocks estimated from December data.[1]
Chicks hatched vs future layers. Egg-type chicks hatched fell 8% from a year earlier in September 2026, but NASS cautions: "The disposition of egg-type chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory inconsistent over time."[1]
First estimate vs revisions. "The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late reports or corrected data indicates a different level." Based on differences between first and latest estimates over the past 24 months, NASS gives a root mean square error of 1.1 percent for total layers: "Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 1.9 percent." In that period the first estimate of total layers was below the latest estimate 21 times and above it 3 times; the report states that record without drawing a conclusion from it.[1]
Verified facts
Each fact is labelled with its evidence typeEach fact in this section carries its evidence type — either cross-checked against independent sources, or confirmed from a single authoritative record.
U.S. egg production totaled 9.20 billion eggs in September 2026, up 6 percent from September 2025, including 7.93 billion table eggs.[1] 1 source · authoritative record
The average number of U.S. layers during September 2026 was 385 million, up 5 percent from a year earlier, and production per 100 layers was 2,390 eggs.[1] 1 source · authoritative record
Egg-type chicks hatched in September 2026 totaled 51.3 million, down 8 percent from September 2025; broiler-type chicks hatched totaled 849 million, up slightly.[1] 1 source · authoritative record
On October 1, 2026, 1.5 percent of U.S. layers were being molted, against 2.3 percent a year earlier.[1] 1 source · authoritative record
The USDA publication page lists the next Chickens and Eggs releases on November 23 and December 21, 2026.[2] 1 source · authoritative record
Statements and readings
Not counted as facts — each item shows what kind of statement it isFrom here on: statements not counted as facts — single-source reports, the issuing body’s own statements, and this page’s own readings, each labeled.
U.S. layers averaged 385,065 thousand during September 2026, while the inventory was 385,519 thousand on September 1 and 384,582 thousand on October 1.[1] This page’s own calculation or reading · This page's reading of the U.S. layer tables
Over the past 24 months the first estimate of total U.S. layers was below the latest estimate 21 times and above it 3 times, with differences averaging 3,067 thousand layers.[1] This page’s own calculation or reading · This page's reading of the reliability table
Timeline
What this page could not establish
These are questions this page tried to answer and could not. The gaps are left open rather than filled with a guess.- Why were egg-type chicks hatched 8 percent lower than a year earlier?
- How much will the September 2026 layer estimate change in later reports?
- Model
- claude-opus-5
- Time
- 10/30/2026, 00:29
- Body characters
- 5,341
- Sources
- 3 sources adopted
- Model
- ChatGPT (checked sources on the web)
- Time
- 10/30/2026, 00:35
- Verdict
- Revision required
Show revision history (3)
| 10/30/2026, 09:00 | First authored (claude-opus-5) | Created |
| 10/30/2026 | First version. Read in full the USDA NASS Chickens and Eggs text release of October 20, 2026, including all U.S. and state layer, production, molt and hatchery tables, definitions, methodology and reliability table, plus the publication page and the NASS October 2026 release calendar; quotations are complete sentences matched against the source text. | Updated |
| 10/30/2026 | Revised after review: the September figure of 2,390 is labeled monthly production per 100 layers and 79.6 the October 1 daily rate; the reliability FAQ states that the root mean square error is based on revisions over the past 24 months; checking times now carry the KST time zone. | Updated |
Frequently asked
How many eggs did the United States produce in September 2026?
9.20 billion eggs, up 6% from September 2025, according to the NASS report of October 20, 2026; 7.93 billion were table eggs and 1.27 billion hatching eggs.[1]
How many egg-laying hens did the United States have in September 2026?
An average of 385 million layers during September 2026, up 5% from a year earlier; total layers include both table egg and hatching egg flocks.[1]
How many egg-type chicks were hatched in the United States in September 2026?
51.3 million, down 8% from September 2025; NASS cautions that chicks hatched do not translate directly into changes in the laying flock.[1]
Are small U.S. egg farms included in the September 2026 Chickens and Eggs figures?
Yes, by estimate: operations with fewer than 30,000 table egg layers are not surveyed each month but are estimated from data reported in December.[1]
Could the September 2026 U.S. layer and egg estimates be revised?
Yes, the September 2026 estimates are subject to revision the following month if late or corrected reports indicate a different level, and again in the annual summaries.[1]
How reliable is the September 2026 U.S. total layer estimate?
Based on revisions over the past 24 months, NASS reports a root mean square error of 1.1 percent for total layers; on that record, chances are 9 out of 10 that the final figure will differ from 385 million by no more than 1.9 percent.[1]