Kentucky Poultry Facts

RANKINGS

• Poultry and Eggs are the #1 Agricultural Commodity in Kentucky, #1 Food Commodity
• #7 in the nation in terms of broiler production behind Texas.
• 1.4 billion eggs were produced in Kentucky (2022 USDA.gov)

ECONOMICS

• $1.79 Billion industry in 2022 (UK Ag stats), up 36 percent from 2017
• Over 850 poultry farms, 3200 poultry houses in 50 counties and still growing in all sectors of the industry.
• The 5 table egg layer companies have over four million egg layers producing over 18 million eggs per week and totaling around 1.4 billion eggs each year.
• The broiler-breeder industry in Kentucky employs approximately 6,300 people across the state and generates an additional 20,444 jobs in both the supply and ancillary industries.
• Kentucky's turkey industry also plays an integral role in Kentucky's economy. In 2014, the turkey industry was responsible for raising roughly $2 million birds and created as many as 2,567 jobs in our state.
• Egg producers contribute approximately 214.7 million dollars to Kentucky's economy while creating 1769 total jobs for Kentuckians.
  • How many eggs do Americans eat per year?
  • The most recent USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report found that the average American consumed 279 eggs in 2022; projections for 2023 are even higher, up to 285 eggs per person.

FARMS

• Over 50% of poultry farmers are or were tobacco farmers. Many farmers entered the business to diversify their revenue because they were concerned about tobacco's future.
• The average poultry farm is owned and managed by a family farmer and consists of less than five poultry houses.

POULTRY-RELATED AGRIBUSINESS

• Kentucky's poultry industry is the largest local buyer of Kentucky-grown corn and soybeans.
  • Depending on the year and the harvest, Kentucky's poultry consumes 20- 25% of Kentucky-grown corn. In other words, 1 in every 4 rows of corn planted in Kentucky goes to feed poultry in Kentucky.
  • Each table egg layer consumes about 1 bushel of corn and 1/2 bushel of soybeans. A hen must eat about four pounds of feed to produce one dozen eggs.
• Kentucky's grain farmers realize a 10-25 cent per bushel premium for grain sold to the poultry industry.