U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Lags

WASHINGTON - May 25/11 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - May 25/11 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout April 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.48 billion pounds, down 2% from the quantity certified in April 2010, reveals the current USDA report on the sector, reveals the current USDA report on the sector.

The March 2011 revised certified total at 3.87 billion pounds, was up 4% from March 2010. The March revision represented an gain of 2.9 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within April 2011 was 4.60 billion pounds, down 2% from 4.71 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.95 billion pounds, down 3% from April 2010. Mature chickens, at 66.3 million pounds, were up 2% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 571 million pounds, up 1% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.4 million pounds, down a bit from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2011 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, up 1% from April 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.63 pounds per bird, up 5% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2011 averaged 30.0 pounds per bird, up 1% from April 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2011 totalled 9.94 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.5 million pounds, were 0.98% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.97% a year earlier.