Poultry Slaughter Volume Drops

WASHINGTON - Jan 31/07 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during December 2006 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.18 billion pounds, down 7% from the quantity certified in December 2005, judging from the current USDA data.

November 2006 revised certified total at 3.46 billion pounds, was down 1% from November 2005. The November revision represented an gain of 20.5 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during December 2006 was 4.32 billion pounds, down 6% from 4.57 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.70 billion pounds, down 6% from December 2005. Mature chickens, at 58.9 million pounds, were down 12% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 542 million pounds, down 2% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 16.2 million pounds, down 6% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2006 averaged 5.47 pounds per bird, down somewhat from December 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.97 pounds per bird, up 5% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2006 averaged 28.1 pounds per bird, down 2% from December 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2006 totalled 14.9 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.35% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.38% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 41.6 million pounds, were 1.29% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.37% a year earlier.

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