Poultry certified wholesome during November 2009 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.29 billion pounds, up two per cent from the amount certified in November 2008. The October 2009 revised certified total at 3.63 billion pounds, was down seven per cent from October 2008. The October revision represented an increase of 3.15 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during November 2009 was 4.36 billion pounds, up two per cent from 4.29 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.70 billion pounds, up three per cent from November 2008. Mature chickens, at 53.7 million pounds, were down 13 per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 597 million pounds, down six per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.6 million pounds, up five per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during November 2009 averaged 5.67 pounds per bird, up one per cent from November 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.75 pounds per bird, down one per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during November 2009 averaged 27.7 pounds per bird, down slightly from November 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations during November 2009 totalled 9.46 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.27 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.2 million pounds, were 0.97 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.11 per cent a year earlier.

November 2009 contained 21 weekdays (including two holidays) and four Saturdays, while November 2008 had 20 weekdays (including two holidays) and five Saturdays.

Further Reading

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