Seoul: The number of laying hens and broiler chickens in the country increased in the second quarter compared to the previous year, driven by a rise in chick placements at local farms, recent data revealed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the total number of laying hens reached 78.98 million, marking a 1.6 percent increase from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of broiler chickens rose by 1 percent, totaling 110.8 million. This growth reflects the ongoing efforts to boost poultry production in the region.

In contrast, the beef cattle population, including the Korean native breed "hanwoo," decreased by 4.9 percent, amounting to 3.28 million. This decline is attributed to a reduction in the number of breeding cows, impacting the overall cattle numbers.

The report also indicated a decrease in the dairy cattle population, which stood at 365,000, a 1.6 percent drop from the previous year. Additionally, the pig population saw a decline, with numbers reaching 10.65 million, down 2.2 percent from a year earlier.