U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Lags

WASHINGTON - Jan 25/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Jan 25/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within December 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.37 billion pounds, down 9% from the quantity certified in December 2010, according to today's USDA sector report, according to today's USDA sector report.

The November 2011 revised certified total at 3.47 billion pounds, was down 6% from November 2010. The November revision represented an gain of 3.67 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within December 2011 was 4.46 billion pounds, down 9% from 4.90 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected came in at 3.81 billion pounds, down 10% from December 2010. Mature chickens, at 64.6 million pounds, were down 8% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 575 million pounds, down 1% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 15.2 million pounds, up 1% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2011 averaged 5.78 pounds per bird, down 1% from December 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.59 pounds per bird, down 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2011 averaged 30.3 pounds per bird, up 1% from December 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2011 totalled 9.49 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.27% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.1 million pounds, were 0.95% of quantities inspected, as versus 1.00% a year earlier.