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

Poultry certified wholesome during July 2005 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.29 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the amount certified in July 2004. Updated totals for June 2005 show that 3.61 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2005 was 4.42 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 4.55 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.79 billion pounds, down 2 percent from July 2004, and mature chickens at 68.6 million pounds, were down 3 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 545 million pounds, down 7 percent, and ducks totaled 14.2 million pounds, down 1 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2005 averaged 5.27 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from July 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.84 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2005 averaged 27.6 pounds per bird, up 4 percent from July 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2005 totaled 19.8 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.45 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.48 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 42.4 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.07 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.22 percent a year earlier.

July 2005 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays.
July 2004 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays.

Young Chickens: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2002-2005

Young Turkeys: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2002-2005

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

Source: USDA NASS - Poultry Slaughter - 31st August 2005