December Poultry Slaughter Advance

WASHINGTON - Feb 9/04 - SNS -- Poultry slaughter activity posted a significant year over year advances, according to the latest data available from the USDA, as well as increasing from November.

Poultry certified wholesome during December 2003 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.22 billion pounds, up 6% from the amount certified in December 2002. Updated totals for November 2003 show that 2.92 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during December 2003 was 4.34 billion pounds, up 5% from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.71 billion pounds, up 8% from December 2002, mature chickens at 63.5 million pounds, were down 10% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 554 million pounds, down 6%, and ducks totaled 15.1 million pounds, up 9% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2003 averaged 5.25 pounds per bird, up 1% from December 2002. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.56 pounds per bird, up 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2003 averaged 26.9 pounds per bird, down 2% from December 2002.

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