Surveys

Turkeys

Turkeys Raised Survey

There are two turkey surveys and data products: The monthly Turkey Hatchery survey and report, and the semi-annual Turkeys Raised survey and report.

The Turkey Hatchery survey provides estimates of turkey eggs in incubators and number hatched in all hatchery states. The estimates indicate the number of market birds that will be available in about five months and provide basic data used to develop state estimates of the number of turkeys raised. All known operating turkey hatcheries within the states are contacted each month. The following states are included: Arkansas, California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The Turkeys Raised survey measures the number of turkeys raised, by state, for the current year. All known turkey farmers and contractors are sampled for the September and February surveys in all major states. Major states are those states that raise at least 1 percent of the U.S. total. The following states are considered a major state: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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Methodology and Quality Measures
Oct. 20, 2023
Oct. 28, 2022

Charts and Maps:
Turkeys: Number Raised by State, US
Turkey Raised by State
Turkeys: Numbers Raised by Year, US
Turkey Raised by Year
Turkey Production by Year
Turkey Production by Year
Turkey Production and Value by Year
Turkey Production and Value by Year
Poultry: Production and Value by Year
Poultry: Production and Value by Year
Meat Animals: Value of Production by Year
Meat Animals: Value of Production by Year
Meat Animals: Production by Year
Meat Animals: Production by Year
Turkey: Cold Storage Stocks by Month and Year
Turkey: Cold Storage Stocks by Month and Year
Program Content

Turkey hatchery data are collected on the number of turkey eggs in incubators on the first of the current month, the number of poults hatched during the previous month, and in which state these poults were placed for feeding to market weights.

Turkey raised survey data are collected on the number of poults placed, death loss, and the resulting number raised.

Uses

The information in the monthly Turkey Hatchery report is used by data users to estimate the number of turkeys that will be marketed in about five months. These data are also the basis for the NASS estimates of turkeys raised each year. Additionally, economists and other analysts use the data to monitor the industry’s health and assess its economic contribution to the agricultural sector.

The annual Turkey Raised report published in September provides data users with a preliminary estimate of turkeys being raised in the current calendar year. The February report presents the final estimates of turkeys raised the previous calendar year. Producers can assess industry trends and outlook for business planning and marketing decisions. Processors and retailers use the data to project supplies. Economists and other analysts use the data to monitor the health of the industry and evaluate the contribution to the general farm economy.

Frequency

The Turkey Hatchery survey is conducted monthly.

The Turkeys Raised survey is conducted each September and February.

Methods

For the Turkey Hatchery Survey, NASS maintains a list of active turkey hatcheries, approximately 40, and all are contacted each month. The reference date is the first of the current month for eggs in incubators and entire previous month for number of poults placed. Questionnaires are mailed to reach the respondents by the first of the month. Hatcheries not responding with a completed questionnaire are contacted by phone.

For the Turkeys Raised Survey, NASS maintains a list of independent turkey farmers and contractors and all (approximately 1,000) are contacted for the survey. The reference period is one year, ending August 31. Questionnaires are mailed to reach respondents about September 1 and February 1. Those not responding by mail are contacted by phone.

Related Programs

Poultry Slaughter
Poultry Production, Disposition, and Income

Last Modified: 04/17/2024