U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Declines

WASHINGTON - Jun 27/11 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Jun 27/11 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within May 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) quantityed to 3.78 billion pounds, up 8% from the quantity certified in May 2010, reveals the latest USDA sector report, reveals the latest USDA sector report.

The April 2011 revised certified total at 3.48 billion pounds, was down 2% from April 2010. The April revision represented an gain of 3.71 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during May 2011 was 5.01 billion pounds, up 8% from 4.66 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.31 billion pounds, up 7% from May 2010. Mature chickens, at 70.5 million pounds, were up 10% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 620 million pounds, up 13% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.0 million pounds, up 11% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2011 averaged 5.81 pounds per bird, up 2% from May 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.60 pounds per bird, up a little from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2011 averaged 30.2 pounds per bird, up 2% from May 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2011 totalled 10.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.23% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.7 million pounds, were 0.96% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.94% a year earlier.