Poultry certified wholesome during May 2003 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.30 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the amount certified in May 2002. Updated totals for April 2003 show that 3.26 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during May 2003 was 4.46 billion pounds, down 4 percent from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.76 billion pounds, down 4 percent from May 2002, and mature chickens at 71.9 million pounds, were down 7 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 612 million pounds, down 3 percent, and ducks totaled 13.3 million pounds, down 11 percent.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2003 averaged 5.18 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from May 2002. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.49 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2003 averaged 27.3 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from May 2002.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2003 totaled 15.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.35 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.36 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 45.5 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.13 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.20 percent a year earlier.

May 2003 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays. May 2002 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.

Young Chickens: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2000-2003


Young Turkeys: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2000-2003