U.S. Poultry Slaughter Dips

WASHINGTON - May 31./06 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during April 2006 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.31 billion pounds, down 1% from the amount certified in April 2005, according to the USDA. Updated totals for March 2006 show that 3.70 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during April 2006 was 4.42 billion pounds, down 2% from 4.49 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.79 billion pounds, down 1% from April 2005. Mature chickens, at 64.5 million pounds, were down 10% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 548 million pounds, down 3% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 16.0 million pounds, up 9% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2006 averaged 5.46 pounds per bird, up 2% from April 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.03 pounds per bird, up 10% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2006 averaged 28.3 pounds per bird, 2% below April 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2006 totaled 14.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.32% of the live weight inspected, the same as a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 45.8 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.15% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.16% a year earlier.

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