POULTRY HIGHLIGHTS 



EGGS : 



In 1982, Massachusetts egg production totaled 314 million eggs, 2 percent lower than previous year and 

 lowest since 1932. The average daily rate of lay per 100 birds was 66.3 eggs per day, down from the record 

 high of 67.4 eggs per day in 1981. Poultrymen received an average of 84(t per dozen for eggs in 1982, down 

 Zt a dozen from the record high in 1981. Gross income from egg production in 1982 was $22.0 million, 

 $1.0 million lower than the gross in 1981. 



CHICKENS : 



The December 1, 1982 inventory of chickens on farms (excluding broilers) in Massachusetts totaled 1.5 mil- 

 lion birds, 4 percent below a year ago and the lowest of record. The inventory revealed that on December 1, 

 1982, the number of hens of laying age increased 14 percent, while the number of pullets of laying age was 

 26 percent below December 1, 1981. Total value of all chickens on hand in the Cominonwealth on December 1, 

 1982 was $3.9 million, 4 percent lower than a year ago. Poultrymen marketed 4.8 million pounds of poultry 

 during 1982 at8.0(t per pound compared to 9.1 million pounds at 9.0<t per pound the previous year. 



TURKEYS : 



Massachusetts farmers raised 145,000 turkeys during 1982, unchanged from the year before. There were 3.1 

 million pounds live weight produced from the turkeys raised in 1982, up 44,000 pounds from the total pro- 

 duction in 1981. The value of production increased to $2.4 million due to increase in pounds produced as 

 the price per pound remained unchanged from the 77$ per pound in 1981. • 



POULTRY: INVENTORY BY CLASS AND VALUE, MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 1, 1971-1982 



YEAR 



CHICKENS, EXCLUDING BROILERS 



HENS AND PULLETS OF 

 LAYING AGE 



HENS 



PULLETS 



PULLETS NOT OF 

 LAYING AGE 



3 MONTHS 

 AND OLDER 



UNDER 

 3 MONTHS 



OTHER 



TOTAL 



VALUE 

 PER 



HEAD 



TOTAL 

 VALUE 



12 



