Poultry Slaughter Volume Falls

WASHINGTON - Apr 26/11 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Apr 26/11 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within March 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.86 billion pounds, up 4% from the quantity certified in March 2010, shows the current USDA report on the sector, shows the current USDA report on the sector.

The February 2011 revised certified total at 3.34 billion pounds, was up 4% from February 2010. The February revision represented an rise of 3.5 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within March 2011 was 5.11 billion pounds, up 4% from 4.92 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.39 billion pounds, up 4% from March 2010. Mature chickens, at 72.9 million pounds, were up 5% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 631 million pounds, up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.7 million pounds, up 8% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2011 averaged 5.75 pounds per bird, up 2% from March 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.62 pounds per bird, up 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2011 averaged 29.8 pounds per bird, up 1% from March 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during March 2011 totalled 11.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.24% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 39.4 million pounds, were 1.01% of quantities inspected, as compared to 1.03% a year earlier.