Solid Jump In Poultry Slaughter

WASHINGTON - Mar 1/02 - STAT -- Poultry slaughter activity in January advanced 5% over year earlier levels to 3.31 billion pounds, according to the USDA. This is well ahead of the 2.93 billion pounds certified wholesome in December.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during January 2002 was 4.45 billion pounds, up 5% from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.75 billion pounds, up 5% from January 2001, and mature chickens totaled 79.8 million pounds, up 11%. Turkey inspections totaled 611 million pounds, up 5%, while ducks totaled 14.1 million pounds, a 9% decrease.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2002 averaged 5.12 pounds per bird, up 2% from January 2001. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.06 pounds per bird, down 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2002 averaged 28.2 pounds per bird, up 4% from January 2001.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2002 totaled 19.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.43% of the live weight inspected, compared with 0.47% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 53.3 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.33% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.67% a year earlier.

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