U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Improves

WASHINGTON - Nov 30/05 - SNS -- Poultry slaughter activity improved in October, the USDA certifying 3.58 billion pounds or ready to cook poultry as wholesome, up 4% from last year. Updated totals for September 2005 show that 3.52 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during October 2005 was 4.79 billion pounds, up 4% from 4.61 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.10 billion pounds, up 4% from October 2004, and mature chickens at 66.3 million pounds, were down 6% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 606 million pounds, up 3%. Ducks totaled 16.1 million pounds, up 14% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during October 2005 averaged 5.50 pounds per bird, up 2% from October 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.92 pounds per bird, up 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October 2005 averaged 26.9 pounds per bird, down slightly from October 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October 2005 totaled 14.6 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.31% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.37% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 44.0 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.02% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.25% a year earlier.

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