Poultry certified wholesome during January 2008 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.82 billion pounds, up 7 percent from the amount certified in January 2007. The December 2007 revised certified total at 3.41 billion pounds, was up 6 percent from December 2006. The December revision represented an increase of 17.9 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during January 2008 was 5.14 billion pounds, up 7 percent from 4.82 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.36 billion pounds, up 6 percent from January 2007. Mature chickens, at 73.3 million pounds, were up 15 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 688 million pounds, up 12 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.6 million pounds, down 13 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2008 averaged 5.56 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from January 2007. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.66 pounds per bird, down 4 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2008 averaged 30.4 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from January 2007.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2008 totaled 19.8 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.39 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.36 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 50.9 million pounds, were 1.31 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.33 percent a year earlier.

January 2008 contained 23 weekdays (including two holidays) and 4 Saturdays, while January 2007 had 23 weekdays (including two holidays) and 4 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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