U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Falls

WASHINGTON - May 23/13 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - May 23/13 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout April 2013 (ready-to-cook weight) quantityed to 3.75 billion pounds, up 7% from the quantity certified in April 2012, according to the current USDA report, according to the current USDA report.

The March 2013 revised certified total at 3.52 billion pounds, was down 2% from March 2012. The March revision represented an rise of 255 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within April 2013 was 4.97 billion pounds, up 7% from 4.66 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected came in at 4.25 billion pounds, up 7% from April 2012. Mature chickens, at 72.3 million pounds, were up 10% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 632 million pounds, up 6% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.7 million pounds, up 8% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2013 averaged 5.90 pounds per bird, up 1% from April 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.19 pounds per bird, up 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2013 averaged 30.9 pounds per bird, up 2% from April 2012.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2013 totalled 10.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.20% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 38.3 million pounds, were 1.01% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.94% a year earlier.