U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Falls

WASHINGTON - Dec 27/10 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Dec 27/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout November 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.70 billion pounds, up 12% from the quantity certified in November 2009, shows today's USDA sector report, shows today's USDA sector report.

The October 2010 revised certified total at 3.76 billion pounds, was up 3% from October 2009. The October revision represented an rise of 3.0 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within November 2010 was 4.90 billion pounds, up 12% from 4.39 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.17 billion pounds, up 12% from November 2009. Mature chickens, at 63.5 million pounds, were up 18% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 650 million pounds, up 9% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.8 million pounds, up 9% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during November 2010 averaged 5.88 pounds per bird, up 4% from November 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.19 pounds per bird, up 8% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during November 2010 averaged 28.2 pounds per bird, up 2% from November 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during November 2010 totalled 10.9 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 35.9 million pounds, were 0.96% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.97% a year earlier.