Poultry certified wholesome during February 2010 (RTC weight) totalled 3.20 billion pounds, up slightly from the amount certified in February 2009. The January 2010 revised certified total at 3.30 billion pounds, was down three per cent from January 2009. The January revision represented an increase of 1.1 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during February 2010 was 4.26 billion pounds, down slightly from 4.27 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.66 billion pounds, up slightly from February 2009. Mature chickens, at 56.1 million pounds, were down six per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 534 million pounds, down four per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.3 million pounds, up nine per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2010 averaged 5.62 pounds per bird, up one per cent from February 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.48 pounds per bird, down six per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2010 averaged 30.1 pounds per bird, up two per cent from February 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2010 totalled 12.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.29 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.29 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.3 million pounds, were 1.03 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.20 per cent a year earlier.

Both February 2009 and February 2010 contained 20 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.

Further Reading

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