Poultry Slaughter Slows

WASHINGTON - Apr 5/04 - SNS -- Poultr6y slaughter activity slowed during February in the United States, with the USDA reporting 2.88 billion pounds were certified wholesome, down 1% from the amount certified in February 2003. Updated totals for January 2004 show that 3.32 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during February 2004 was 3.91 billion pounds, down slightly from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.35 billion pounds, up 2% from February 2003, mature chickens at 49.7 million pounds, were down 24% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 495 million pounds, down 10%, and ducks totaled 13.1 million pounds, up 1% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2004 averaged 5.13 pounds per bird, down 1% from February 2003. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.56 pounds per bird, up 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2004 averaged 26.8 pounds per bird, down 1% from February 2003.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2004 totaled 17.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.45% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.43% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 52.0 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.48% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.21% a year earlier.

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