WI egg-laying hens had productive year in 2012 - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) – Wisconsin's egg-laying hens increased their total output by 7 percent in the year 2012.

Recent figures show that Wisconsin produced about 1.4 billion eggs over the 12-month period ending November 30, which is up from about 1.3 billion eggs during the previous 12 months.

The increased productivity can be attributed to two factors, more chickens and more eggs laid per hen.  The average laying hen produced 277 eggs over the past year, which is two more eggs than during the previous year.  Additionally, the number of egg-laying hens increased 6.5 percent to just under 5 million birds.

Wisconsin remains ranked 18^th in the nation in egg production.  Iowa leads the nation with about 14.5 billion eggs.  Minnesota is 11^th with 2.8 billion eggs.