U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Drops

WASHINGTON - Nov 24/10 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Nov 24/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout October 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.76 billion pounds, up 3% from the quantity certified in October 2009, shows the latest USDA report, shows the latest USDA report.

The September 2010 revised certified total at 3.76 billion pounds, was up 5% from September 2009. The September revision represented an gain of 14.4 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during October 2010 was 4.98 billion pounds, up 3% from 4.83 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.25 billion pounds, up 3% from October 2009. Mature chickens, at 64.6 million pounds, were down 7% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 655 million pounds, up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.5 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during October 2010 averaged 5.87 pounds per bird, up 4% from October 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 pounds per bird, up 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October 2010 averaged 28.4 pounds per bird, down a little from October 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October 2010 totalled 10.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.8 million pounds, were 0.92% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.95% a year earlier.