Poultry production during January 2009 was down from January 2008, according to the USDA, as continued economic woes take their toll on demand, according to Brownfield Network.

The amount of poultry certified wholesome during January was 3.388 billion pounds, down 12 per cent from January 2008's 3.840 billion. Chickens made up most of the total at 2.909 billion pounds, a decrease of 11 per cent on the year, turkeys accounted for 469.735 million pounds, 14 per cent less than a year ago, and ducks were pegged at 9.277 million, 11 per cent below last year.

The total live weight of all poultry came out at 4.532 billion pounds, compared to 5.158 billion for January 2008. Out of the total, chickens were down 12 per cent at 3.926 billion pounds, turkeys were 14 per cent below a year ago at 593.595 million, and ducks were 11 per cent under the January 2008 total at 12.992 million pounds.

The average live weight of all chickens was 5.56 pounds, down a tenth of a pound from last year. Turkeys averaged 30.51 pounds per bird, compared to the January 2008 average of 30.37 pounds. Ducks were placed at 6.65 pounds per bird, compared to 6.77 a year ago.

The chicken slaughter for January was reported at 705.710 million head, 12 per cent less than January 2008's total of 799.943 million. January's turkey kill of 19.454 million head was 14 per cent below a year ago. The duck slaughter of 1.953 million head was down 9 per cent from January 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations were placed at 15.146 million pounds, compared to 19.962 million in January 2008, accounting for 0.33 per cent of the total live weight. Post-mortem condemnations came out at 41.273 million pounds, 19 per cent less than January 2008, making up 1.2 per cent of the total, reports Brownfield Network.