U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Lags

WASHINGTON - Mar 25/14 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Mar 25/14 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within February 2014 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.48 billion pounds, up 3% from the quantity certified in February 2013, judging from the current USDA sector report, judging from the current USDA sector report.

The January 2014 revised certified total at 3.68 billion pounds, was down 4 from January 2013. The January revision represented an rise of 1.15 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry within February 2014 was 4.60 billion pounds, up 2% from 4.49 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.99 billion pounds, up 4% from February 2013. Mature chickens, at 63.2 million pounds, were up 6% from last year. Turkey inspections totalled 528 million pounds, down 9% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.0 million pounds, up 5% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2014 averaged 6.01 pounds per bird, up 2% from February 2013. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.56 pounds per bird, up 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2014 averaged 31.0 pounds per bird, down 1% from February 2013.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2014 totalled 10.9 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.24% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.5 million pounds, were 1.04% of quantities inspected, as versus 1.07% a year earlier.