Poultry Slaughter Increases

WASHINGTON - Mar 31/06 - SNS -- Poultry slaughter activity picked up in February, with the USDA saying poultry certified wholesome totaled 3.21 billion pounds, up 3% from the amount certified in February 2005. Updated totals for January 2005 show that 3.55 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during February 2006 was 4.30 billion pounds, up 3% from 4.18 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.70 billion pounds, up 3% from February 2005, but mature chickens, at 58.7 million pounds, were down 6% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 526 million pounds, up 2% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.5 million pounds, up 7% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2006 averaged 5.45 pounds per bird, up 2% from February 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.87 pounds per bird, up 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2006 averaged 29.7 pounds per bird, 2% above February 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2006 totaled 14.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.34% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.35% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 46.5 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.20% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.23% a year earlier.

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