Modest Decline in January Poultry Slaughter

WASHINGTON - Feb 28/05 - SNS -- The USDA reported a modest decline in the quantity of poultry certified wholesome during January, pegging slaughter output at 3.30 billion pounds, down slightly form the previous year and down from 3.33 billion pounds in December.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during January 2005 was 4.44 billion pounds, down slightly from 4.46 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.80 billion pounds, down 1% from January 2004, and mature chickens at 62.2 million pounds, were down 3% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 565 million pounds, up 2%, and ducks totaled 15.5 million pounds, up 6% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2005 averaged 5.34 pounds per bird, up 1% from January 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.62 pounds per bird, down 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2005 averaged 28.8 pounds per bird, up 5% from January 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2005 totaled 21.3 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.48% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.45% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 50.5 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.26% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.13% a year earlier.

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