Poultry Slaughter Eases

WASHINGTON - Mar 7/03 - SNS -- Poultry slaughter slipped below year earlier levels during January, according to the latest USDA report.

Poultry certified wholesome during January 2003 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.28 billion pounds, down 1% from the amount certified in January 2002. Updated totals for December 2002 show that 3.04 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during January 2003 was 4.42 billion pounds, down 2% from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.72 billion pounds, down 1% from January 2002, and mature chickens at 75.1 million pounds, were down 6% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 603 million pounds, down 2%, and ducks totaled 14.3 million pounds, a slight decrease.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2003 averaged 5.18 pounds per bird, up 1% from January 2002. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.25 pounds per bird, up 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2003 averaged 28.1 pounds per bird, down slightly from January 2002.

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