U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Drops

WASHINGTON - Mar 25/11 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Mar 25/11 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within February 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.33 billion pounds, up 4% from the quantity certified in February 2010, reveals today's USDA report on the sector, reveals today's USDA report on the sector.

The January 2011 revised certified total at 3.64 billion pounds, was up 10% from January 2010. The January revision represented an increase of 2.66 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within February 2011 was 4.42 billion pounds, up 4% from 4.27 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.80 billion pounds, up 4% from February 2010. Mature chickens, at 61.1 million pounds, were up 9% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 549 million pounds, up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.6 million pounds, up 3% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2011 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, up 2% from February 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.56 pounds per bird, up 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2011 averaged 30.5 pounds per bird, up 1% from February 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2011 totalled 11.6 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.26% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.29% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.7 million pounds, were 1.09% of quantities inspected, as compared to 1.03% a year earlier.