Claire Thompson
Chickens are a common sight in the United States, whether in backyard farms or on the dining table. The US has witnessed a growing appetite for chicken meat, with over 168,000 poultry farms in the country as of 2022. This demand has led to the selective breeding of chickens, resulting in larger birds and an increased supply to meet consumer needs. With the rise in meat production, the US now has an estimated 518.3 million chickens, making it the third-largest producer of chickens in the world after China and Indonesia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of chickens in the US in 2023 | 522 million |
| Number of poultry farms in 2022 | Over 168,000 |
| Number of chickens killed per hour | Over 1 million |
| Number of chickens killed per day | 20 million |
| Number of chickens in the world | 34.4-35 billion |
| Number of chickens in the US in 2025 | 518.3 million |
| Top chicken-producing state | Iowa |
| Number of chickens in Iowa | 60 million |
| Number of laying hens in the US | 305 million |
| Number of eggs produced by Iowa | 113 billion |
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What You'll Learn
The US has around 522 million chickens
The United States is home to around 522 million chickens, according to 2023 data. This figure is part of a rising trend, with the number of chickens in the country increasing over time. As of 2022, there were over 168,000 poultry farms in the US, a number that is also on the rise.
Chickens are a popular source of meat in the US, with the average American consuming 69.3 pounds of boneless chicken each year. This demand has resulted in a highly concentrated industry, with just a few companies controlling the market. The meat industry has selectively bred chickens to grow faster and larger, leading to animal welfare concerns.
The US has the third-highest number of chickens in the world, after China and Indonesia. Iowa is the leading state for chicken farming, with around 60 million chickens, followed by Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Iowa also leads in egg production, with over 113 billion eggs produced annually.
Chickens are a significant part of the US agriculture and food industry, with their presence felt in backyards and on farms across the country. The US's large land area and high meat consumption contribute to its position as a top global producer of chickens.
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20 million chickens are slaughtered daily
Chickens are smaller animals, and as a result, switching from beef to chicken means more animals are killed for each meal. The massive poultry industry that exists today is a result of chicken being cheaper and more versatile than beef, leading many consumers to eat it several times a week.
The United States' appetite for chicken is why the number of animals being killed in the country has increased more than ever before. In the US, 9.5 billion chickens are slaughtered every year, which comes out to around 20 million chickens per day. This is in addition to the six billion male chicks at egg-laying facilities that are killed every year due to their lack of profitability, a practice known as chick culling. Chickens that have been bred to lay eggs do not produce very high-quality meat, so the male chickens of these breeds have little value to poultry producers.
In the US, 75% of laying hens are raised on farms with more than 100,000 other birds, and the majority of chickens are raised in massive facilities, often crammed together with little space to move around. Chickens have been selectively bred to grow faster and fatter than ever before, leading to significant animal welfare problems. The massive number of chickens being killed can make it difficult to think of chickens as individuals. However, chickens are highly communicative and enjoy playing with each other to pass the time. Unfortunately, they rarely get those opportunities in factory farming.
Recent estimates suggest that 99% of livestock in the United States is factory-farmed. Globally, the majority of animals are raised on factory farms. For many of these animals, life is short and painful. Chickens grow so quickly that after six weeks, many struggle to stand for long and spend most of their time lying down. These animals require high doses of antibiotics to survive in poor living conditions.
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Iowa is the top chicken farming state
Iowa is the top chicken-producing state in the United States. In 2023, Iowa had the highest number of chickens of any state, with just over 54 million heads. Ohio and Indiana followed closely, with around 52 million and 45 million heads, respectively. Iowa is known as a "chicken state" and is renowned for its significant contribution to the poultry industry, consistently ranking at the top in terms of volume.
Iowa is one of the top producers of broiler meat, eggs, pullets, or day-old chicks. The state produced the highest number of chickens, at 54.9 million. Chickens are one of the most commonly produced livestock in the United States, and Iowa is a major contributor to this. In the United States, there are two main kinds of farmed chickens: chickens for meat and egg-laying hens. Iowa is one of the top broiler chicken-producing states, along with Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas, and Mississippi.
Chicken farming has distinct advantages over other livestock. Chickens require relatively little space and minimal initial investment to thrive. This makes them an attractive option for farmers. Additionally, chickens are cheap to raise, costing less than $4 per bird, while being sold for a much higher price. This contributes to their popularity as a source of meat and eggs. The average person in the United States consumes 69.3 pounds of boneless chicken per year, and this demand is met by states like Iowa, which have a high volume of chicken production.
The massive number of chickens being raised and slaughtered has raised concerns about animal welfare. Chickens are often crammed together in massive facilities, with little space to move. Additionally, the selective breeding of chickens to grow faster and larger has led to significant welfare problems. Despite these concerns, the chicken meat industry is highly concentrated, with a handful of companies controlling the market. This oligopoly allows a few large companies to exert control over the entire industry, influencing production and supply to meet the high demand for chicken meat and eggs in the United States.
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75% of laying hens are on large farms
The United States is home to around 522 million chickens, with billions of chickens alive worldwide at any given time. The country's massive poultry industry is driven by consumer demand for chicken meat, which is often cheaper and more versatile than beef. Chickens are smaller than cows and pigs, so they are killed in far greater numbers than other farmed animals—over a million chickens are killed every hour in the US alone.
The majority of chickens in the US are raised in large facilities, with little space to move around. Specifically, 75% of laying hens are kept on farms with more than 100,000 birds. These farms often rely on mechanical egg collection using belts, rather than hand-gathering. In addition, 95% of hens in the US are housed in battery cages, where 5–8 birds are kept in a wire-metal cage for the duration of the laying period. Each hen has less space than a standard piece of paper.
The large-scale confinement of hens in the US has raised concerns about animal welfare. Hens on farms are often starved and forced to molt, which can lead to health issues such as osteoporosis. Additionally, the unnatural conditions on farms, such as indoor lighting designed to trick hens into thinking it is always spring, can induce abnormal behaviours. Despite their intelligence and social nature, chickens on large farms rarely have the opportunity to interact and play with each other.
The egg industry in the US is highly concentrated, with a few large companies controlling the market. According to the American Egg Board, 95% of all layers in the US come from just 192 companies with flocks of 75,000 hens or more. These companies benefit from economies of scale and automation, allowing them to produce eggs at a lower cost. However, this concentration of power has led to concerns about oligopolies and the ethical implications of intensive farming practices.
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Chicken meat industry is an oligopoly
In the United States, there are around 522 million chickens as of 2023. This figure includes the total inventory of chickens in the country but does not take into account commercial broilers. The US is home to over 168,000 poultry farms, and the number is increasing over time.
The chicken meat industry in the United States is an oligopoly, where a few companies control the entire industry. This market structure has significant implications for consumers, farmers, and the overall food system. The industry is highly concentrated, with just a handful of companies dominating the market. For instance, as of 2020, four companies—Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride, Sanderson Farms, and Mountaire Farms—controlled over half of the market, while small companies held only about 20% collectively. This concentration of power allows these companies to exert influence over prices and industry practices.
The rise of the oligopoly in the chicken meat industry can be attributed to various factors, including the passage of the Wholesome Meat Act in 1967. This act required that all commercially sold beef and pork be processed in USDA-inspected facilities, leading to the consolidation of meat processing by a few large corporations. Over time, these corporations have grown in size and influence, acquiring competitors and supply chains. As a result, they have gained significant control over the market, often at the expense of small-scale farmers and ranchers.
The oligopolistic structure of the industry has led to concerns about its impact on prices, welfare standards, and the environment. Meat prices have risen faster than inflation since 2000, and the price of meat has increased even more rapidly. This has resulted in higher costs for consumers, with one lawsuit estimating that chicken industry price-fixing costs the average American family of four $330 per year. Additionally, the industry has been criticized for its welfare standards, with chickens often crammed together in massive facilities, and the environmental impacts of factory farming, including air contamination, water pollution, and contributions to the climate crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the vulnerabilities of the oligopolistic meat industry. As outbreaks occurred in large meat processing facilities, there were concerns about potential closures and meat shortages. This led to panic buying and empty supermarket aisles, underscoring the reliance on a small number of large processors. The pandemic also brought to light the precarious situation of workers in these facilities, who were deemed essential but faced immediate health risks due to their working conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 518.3 million chickens in the United States as of 2025. This number has increased over time, with 522 million chickens in the US in 2023.
The US is the third-largest producer of chickens in the world, after China and Indonesia. China has over 5 billion chickens. There are 35 billion chickens in the world, meaning they outnumber humans 3.5 or 5 to 1.
Over a million chickens are killed every hour in the US, with 20 million chickens killed each day globally. 9 billion chickens are killed for their meat each year.
