Ready-to-Cook Weight Down 3 Percent - US - The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) comment on the higher poultry weights and slaughter levels in their monthly Poultry Slaughter Report.

Poultry certified wholesome during November 2003 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 2.92 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the amount certified in November 2002. Updated totals for October 2003 show that 3.64 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during November 2003 was 3.92 billion pounds, down 3 percent from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.27 billion pounds, down 2 percent from November 2002, mature chickens at 54.6 million pounds, were down 18 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 583 million pounds, down 7 percent, and ducks totaled 12.6 million pounds, up 4 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during November 2003 averaged 5.23 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from November 2002. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.86 pounds per bird, up 4 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during November 2003 averaged 25.4 pounds per bird, down 2 percent from November 2002.

Ante-mortem condemnations during November 2003 totaled 13.1 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.33 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.35 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.0 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.02 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.15 percent a year earlier.

November 2003 contained 20 weekdays (including two holidays) and five Saturdays.
November 2002 contained 21 weekdays (including two holidays) and five Saturdays.

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

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

To view the full report, including tables, please click here (PDF format, 21 pages)

Source: USDA NASS - Poultry Slaughter - 7th January 2004