Poultry certified wholesome during December 2009 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.45 billion pounds, down 1 per cent from the amount certified in December 2008. The November 2009 revised certified total at 3.31 billion pounds, was up 3 per cent from November 2008. The November revision represented an increase of 22.1 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during December 2009 was 4.60 billion pounds, down 1 per cent from 4.64 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.95 billion pounds, up slightly from December 2008. Mature chickens, at 61.3 million pounds, were down 4 per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 572 million pounds, down 8 per cent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.4 million pounds, down 2 per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2009 averaged 5.65 pounds per bird, up 2 per cent from December 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.49 pounds per bird, down 1 per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2009 averaged 29.6 pounds per bird, up slightly from December 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2009 totaled 12.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.27 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.31 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.2 million pounds, were 0.98 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.17 per cent a year earlier.

December 2009 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays, while December 2008 had 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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