U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Falls

WASHINGTON - Nov/06 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within October 2006 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.77 billion pounds, up 5% from the quantity certified in October 2005, reveals the latest USDA sector report.

September 2006 revised certified total at 3.40 billion pounds, was down 4% from September 2005. The September revision represented an gain of 3.26 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during October 2006 was 5.09 billion pounds, up 6% from 4.80 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.32 billion pounds, up 5% from October 2005. Mature chickens, at 69.7 million pounds, were up 5% from last year. Turkey inspections totalled 684 million pounds, up 12% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 15.3 million pounds, down 5% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during October 2006 averaged 5.58 pounds per bird, up 1% from October 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.20 pounds per bird, up 5% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October 2006 averaged 27.4 pounds per bird, up 2% from October 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October 2006 totalled 15.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.30% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.30% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 45.0 million pounds, were 1.18% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.22% a year earlier.

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