POULTRY HIGHLIGHTS 



CHICKENS 



The December 1, 1980 inventory of chickens on fanns (excluding broilers) in Massachusetts totaled 1.8 

 million birds, a 4 percent rise over a year ago, and 13 percent above the inventory on December 1, 1978. 

 The inventory revealed that the number of hens of laying age on December 1, 1980 increased 4 percent, 

 while the number of pullets of laying age jumped 7 percent over 1979 levels. Total value of all chickens 

 on hand in the state on December 1, also rose from a year ago, reaching $4.1 million. The increase was 

 partially a result of a larger 1980 inventory and as a result of an increase in the per head value of the 

 birds. Poultrymen marketed 3.9 million pounds of poultry during 1980 at 8.3 cents per pound compared to 

 5.0 million pounds at 13.2 cents per pound the previous year. 



EGGS 



Massachusetts egg production was 326 million In 1980, down 4 percent from the previous year and also the 

 lowest amount in 10 years. The decline in egg production parallels the general decline in layer numbers 

 over the past decade. The annual average number of hens and pullets of laying age on hand in 1980 was 

 reduced to 1.3 million, 3 percent below 1979. Gross income to egg producers was $20.2 million, 'down 3 

 percent from the previous year. 



I 



TURKEYS 



Massachusetts farmers raised 126,000 turkeys during 1980, down from 140,000 the year before. With the 

 1980 price per pound reaching 78.0 cents. The value of production increased to $1.9 million. The 1980 

 price per pound was 13.0 cents above the 1979 price per pound. 



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