The November 2007 revised certified total at 3.59 billion pounds, was up 4 percent from November 2006. The November revision represented an increase of 15.9 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during December 2007 was 4.57 billion pounds, up 5 percent from 4.34 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.92 billion pounds, up 5 percent from December 2006. Mature chickens, at 61.1 million pounds, were up 4 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 577 million pounds, up 7 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 15.0 million pounds, down 7 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2007 averaged 5.59 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from December 2006. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.67 pounds per bird, down 5 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2007 averaged 29.1 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from December 2006.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2007 totaled 15.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.33 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.35 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 41.9 million pounds, were 1.22 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.29 percent a year earlier.

December 2007 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays, while December 2006 had 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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