2007 Chicken Consumption Survey
This survey, sponsored by Watt Poultry USA, measures consumption of chicken products, including frequency of meals and snacks consumed, purchases at grocery stores, and purchases at food service establishments.
Frequency of eating meals and snacks containing chicken in the past two weeks:
- 91% of respondents had eaten a meal/snack including chicken in the two weeks prior to the survey, compared to 92% in the 2006 survey.
- The average number of meals/snacks with chicken that respondents had eaten in the last two weeks was 4.5, down from 5.2 in 2006.
- The highest number of snacks/meals eaten was by the age group 25-34, with 5.9 followed by 18-24 (4.8) and 35-64 (4.4).
- In 2007, those with higher incomes and lower incomes ate chicken more frequently than those with middle incomes.
Frequency of eating meals and snacks containing chicken in the past two weeks that were purchased at a grocery store:
- 82% of respondents had eaten one or more meals with chicken that were purchased from a grocery store in the two weeks prior to the survey, which is down from the 87% measured in 2006. This decrease was consciously recognized by frequent purchasers.
- Respondents less than 65 years old were more likely to have consumed chicken products in the last two weeks.
- Respondents with incomes above $75,000 were more likely than lower income respondents to consumed store bought chicken in the last two weeks, along with those residing in the Southern and Northeastern regions.
Frequency of eating meals and snacks containing chicken in the past two weeks purchased at food service:
- 65% of respondents had consumed meals/snacks with chicken in the past two weeks from foodservice establishments, compared with 67% in 2006.
- Respondents over 65 are significantly less likely to have eaten chicken outside the home.
- Women (9%) are somewhat more likely to have eaten chicken outside of the home than men (6%).
- Those with incomes in the range of $20,000-$29,999 are most likely (74%) to have consumed chicken when eating out, while those earning $30,000-$39,999 are the least likely (51%).
Rotisserie chicken:
- 23% of respondents had purchased rotisserie chicken in the 4 weeks prior to the survey, with no consistent purchase patterns noted by age.
- Respondents most likely purchased rotisserie chicken from a grocery store, takeout restaurant or other foodservice outlet.
- The primary reasons for purchasing rotisserie chicken center on convenience and taste, while relatively few purchasers were concerned with nutrition or value.
Dark meat chicken usage:
- 54% of respondents had eaten dark meat chicken four weeks prior to the survey, at an average of 3.2 times in the four weeks.
- Younger, lower income, males and Western respondents are more likely than others to have eaten dark meat chicken.
- The most popular reasons respondents would eat dark meat chicken would be for better taste, less fat, or greater convenience in preparation.