Poultry & Egg Production

Poultry and Egg Production encompasses establishments primarily engaged in breeding, hatching, and raising poultry for meat or egg production. This includes broiler chickens, turkeys, laying hens, and other poultry such as ducks and game birds. The U.S. is the world's largest broiler producer and among the top egg-producing nations, with production concentrated in the Southeast for broilers (Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi) and the Midwest and Southeast for egg production.

The broiler industry is almost entirely vertically integrated. A small number of large integrator companies — including Tyson Foods, Pilgrim's Pride, Sanderson Farms, and Perdue — own the birds from hatchery through processing, contracting with independent growers who provide the grow-out houses and daily management. Turkey production follows a similar integrated model. The egg industry has a somewhat different structure, with large egg companies owning both the hens and the facilities, though contract arrangements also exist.

Poultry and eggs are among the most affordable animal proteins, giving this sector relatively stable domestic demand even during economic downturns. Chicken consumption per capita in the U.S. has surpassed beef, driven by competitive pricing, perceived health attributes, and product innovation in further-processed and ready-to-eat formats. Export markets, particularly for dark meat and chicken paws, add significant value.