U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Falls

WASHINGTON - Feb 25/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during January 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.30 billion pounds, down 3% from the quantity certified in January 2009, according to the latest USDA update.

The December 2009 revised certified total at 3.47 billion pounds, was down a bit from December 2008. The December revision represented an gain of 15.7 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during January 2010 was 4.40 billion pounds, down 3% from 4.53 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.79 billion pounds, down 2% from January 2009. Mature chickens, at 60.2 million pounds, were down 3% from last year. Turkey inspections totalled 533 million pounds, down 10% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.4 million pounds, down 4% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2010 averaged 5.64 pounds per bird, up 1% from January 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.43 pounds per bird, down 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2010 averaged 30.6 pounds per bird, up slightly from January 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2010 totalled 13.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.30% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.33% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.4 million pounds, were 1.03% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.20% a year earlier.