Poultry certified wholesome during December 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.69 billion pounds, up 6 per cent from the amount certified in December 2009. The November 2010 revised certified total at 3.70 billion pounds, was up 12 per cent from November 2009. The November revision represented an increase of 488 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during December 2010 was 4.90 billion pounds, up 6 per cent from 4.62 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.23 billion pounds, up 7 per cent from December 2009. Mature chickens, at 69.7 million pounds, were up 14 per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 578 million pounds, up 1 per cent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 15.0 million pounds, up 4 per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2010 averaged 5.85 pounds per bird, up 4 per cent from December 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.79 pounds per bird, up 5 per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2010 averaged 30.0 pounds per bird, up 1 per cent from December 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2010 totaled 13.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.27 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.27 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 37.3 million pounds, were 1.00 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.98 per cent a year earlier.

December 2009 and 2010 both contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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