U.S. Poultry Slaughter Jumps in May

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/05 - SNS -- The United States recorded a sharp increase in the quantity of poultry slaughtered in May, with 3.54 billion pounds certified wholesome, up 8% from last year, reports the USDA. Updated totals for April 2005 show that 3.35 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during May 2005 was 4.73 billion pounds, up 8% from 4.39 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.06 billion pounds, up 8% from May 2004, and mature chickens at 72.6 million pounds, were up 13% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 581 million pounds, up 3%, and ducks totaled 15.6 million pounds, up 13% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2005 averaged 5.36 pounds per bird, up 2% from May 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.59 pounds per bird, up 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2005 averaged 28.4 pounds per bird, up 3% from May 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2005 totaled 15.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.32% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.38% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 48.8 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.15% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.19% a year earlier.

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