Poultry certified wholesome during August 2008 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.65 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the amount certified in August 2007. The July 2008 revised certified total at 3.83 billion pounds, was up 6 percent from July 2007. The July revision represented an increase of 271 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during August 2008 was 4.87 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 5.06 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.14 billion pounds, down 4 percent from August 2007. Mature chickens, at 76.9 million pounds, were up 1 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 637 million pounds, down 3 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 12.6 million pounds, down 20 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2008 averaged 5.57 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from August 2007. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 pounds per bird, down 4 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2008 averaged 28.1 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from August 2007.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2008 totaled 16.4 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.34 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.54 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 39.7 million pounds, were 1.08 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.19 percent a year earlier.

August 2008 contained 21 weekdays and 5 Saturdays, while August 2007 had 23 weekdays and 4 Saturdays.

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