Poultry Slaughter Activity Drops

WASHINGTON - May 25/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - May 25/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout April 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.52 billion pounds, up 1% from the quantity certified in April 2011, judging from the current USDA statistics, judging from the current USDA statistics.

The March 2012 revised certified total at 3.60 billion pounds, was down 7% from March 2011. The March revision represented an rise of 430 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during April 2012 was 4.66 billion pounds, up 1% from 4.60 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.99 billion pounds, up 1% from April 2011. Mature chickens, at 65.7 million pounds, were down 1% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 597 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.6 million pounds, up 1% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2012 averaged 5.84 pounds per bird, up 1% from April 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.06 pounds per bird, down 10% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2012 averaged 30.2 pounds per bird, up 1% from April 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2012 totalled 9.30 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.20% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.3 million pounds, were 0.93% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.98% a year earlier.