Poultry certified wholesome during October 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.76 billion pounds, up 3 per cent from the amount certified in October 2009. The September 2010 revised certified total at 3.76 billion pounds, was up 5 per cent from September 2009. The September revision represented an increase of 14.4 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during October 2010 was 4.98 billion pounds, up 3 per cent from 4.83 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.25 billion pounds, up 3 per cent from October 2009. Mature chickens, at 64.6 million pounds, were down 7 per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 655 million pounds, up 3 per cent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.5 million pounds, up 4 per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during October 2010 averaged 5.87 pounds per bird, up 4 per cent from October 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 pounds per bird, up 1 per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October 2010 averaged 28.4 pounds per bird, down slightly from October 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October 2010 totaled 10.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.22 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.8 million pounds, were 0.92 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.95 per cent a year earlier.

October 2010 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays, while a year ago, there were 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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