Poultry certified wholesome during October 2008 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.92 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the amount certified in October 2007. The September 2008 revised certified total at 3.72 billion pounds, was up 9 percent from September 2007. The September revision represented an increase of 3.82 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during October 2008 was 5.22 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 5.38 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.40 billion pounds, down 3 percent from October 2007. Mature chickens, at 80.5 million pounds, were up 7 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 731 million pounds, down 1 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.0 million pounds, down 13 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during October 2008 averaged 5.65 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from October 2007. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.84 pounds per bird, down 5 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October 2008 averaged 28.9 pounds per bird, up 4 percent from October 2007.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October 2008 totaled 13.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.26 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.30 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 42.3 million pounds, were 1.07 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.13 percent a year earlier.

October 2008 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays, while October 2007 had 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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