Chickens in United States
United States had 1.56 billion chickens in 2024, the 5th largest in the world (5.62% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.2%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 1.56 billion head
- World rank
- 5 of 179
- 10-year change
- +9.2%
- Record
- 1.56 billion head
- 2024
Chickens in United States, 1961–2024 (head)
United States compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 5.6%
- 6.7% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +9.2%
- world +31%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Pakistan | 2,064,210,000 | 7.5% |
| 4 | Brazil | 1,581,216,000 | 5.7% |
| 5 | United States | 1,555,000,000 | 5.6% |
| 6 | Iran | 1,032,877,000 | 3.7% |
| 7 | India | 852,885,000 | 3.1% |
Map of chickens numbers by country
Share of the world total; United States is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,555,000,000 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 1,539,000,000 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 1,532,000,000 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 1,522,000,000 | −1.0% |
| 2020 | 1,537,000,000 | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 1,530,000,000 | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 1,506,000,000 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 1,486,000,000 | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 1,463,000,000 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 1,448,000,000 | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 1,424,000,000 | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 1,422,000,000 | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 1,410,000,000 | −1.7% |
| 2011 | 1,435,000,000 | −0.1% |
| 2010 | 1,437,000,000 | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 1,425,000,000 | −5.1% |
| 2008 | 1,502,000,000 | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 1,484,000,000 | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 1,478,000,000 | −0.1% |
| 2005 | 1,479,000,000 | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 1,457,000,000 | +3.0% |
| 2003 | 1,415,000,000 | −1.2% |
| 2002 | 1,432,000,000 | +2.4% |
| 2001 | 1,398,000,000 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 1,381,000,000 | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 1,358,000,000 | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 1,322,000,000 | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 1,294,000,000 | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 1,266,000,000 | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 1,221,000,000 | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 1,170,000,000 | +4.8% |
| 1993 | 1,116,000,000 | +4.6% |
| 1992 | 1,067,000,000 | +4.3% |
| 1991 | 1,023,000,000 | −23% |
| 1990 | 1,332,000,000 | +4.2% |
| 1989 | 1,278,000,000 | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 1,232,000,000 | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 1,214,000,000 | +6.0% |
| 1986 | 1,145,000,000 | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 1,115,000,000 | +2.4% |
| 1984 | 1,089,000,000 | +2.3% |
| 1983 | 1,064,000,000 | −0.7% |
| 1982 | 1,072,000,000 | −0.6% |
| 1981 | 1,078,000,000 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 1,053,000,000 | −0.7% |
| 1979 | 1,060,000,000 | +5.9% |
| 1978 | 1,001,000,000 | +4.9% |
| 1977 | 954,000,000 | +3.0% |
| 1976 | 926,000,000 | +4.4% |
| 1975 | 886,800,000 | −2.4% |
| 1974 | 909,000,000 | +0.2% |
| 1973 | 907,000,000 | −3.0% |
| 1972 | 935,000,000 | +1.1% |
| 1971 | 925,000,000 | +0.4% |
| 1970 | 920,900,000 | +0.9% |
| 1969 | 912,700,000 | +2.9% |
| 1968 | 887,400,000 | +0.6% |
| 1967 | 881,700,000 | +3.6% |
| 1966 | 851,300,000 | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 833,500,000 | +5.2% |
| 1964 | 792,000,000 | +1.5% |
| 1963 | 780,000,000 | −0.3% |
| 1962 | 782,000,000 | +4.1% |
| 1961 | 751,000,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many chickens are there in United States?
United States had 1.56 billion chickens in 2024, 5.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United States rank in the world by number of chickens?
United States ranked 5th of 179 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in China with 18.9% of the world total.
How has the number of chickens in United States changed?
It rose by 9.2% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +31% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for United States is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.