Poultry Slaughter Output Drops

WASHINGTON - Dec 23/11 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Dec 23/11 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within November 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.47 billion pounds, down 6% from the quantity certified in November 2010, according to today's USDA statistics, according to today's USDA statistics.

The October 2011 revised certified total at 3.68 billion pounds, was down 2% from October 2010. The October revision represented an rise of 6.92 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within November 2011 was 4.59 billion pounds, down 6% from 4.90 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected came in at 3.88 billion pounds, down 7% from November 2010. Mature chickens, at 62.5 million pounds, were down 1% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 641 million pounds, down 1% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.2 million pounds, up 3% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during November 2011 averaged 5.82 pounds per bird, down 1% from November 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.71 pounds per bird, down 8% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during November 2011 averaged 28.0 pounds per bird, down 1% from November 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during November 2011 totalled 9.71 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 31.8 million pounds, were 0.91% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.96% a year earlier.