Poultry certified wholesome during February 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.33 billion pounds, up four per cent from the amount certified in February 2010. The January 2011 revised certified total at 3.64 billion pounds, was up 10 per cent from January 2010. The January revision represented an increase of 2.66 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during February 2011 was 4.42 billion pounds, up four per cent from 4.27 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.80 billion pounds, up four per cent from February 2010. Mature chickens, at 61.1 million pounds, were up nine per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 549 million pounds, up three per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.6 million pounds, up three per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2011 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, up two per cent from February 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.56 pounds per bird, up one per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2011 averaged 30.5 pounds per bird, up one per cent from February 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2011 totalled 11.6 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.26 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.29 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.7 million pounds, were 1.09 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.03 per cent a year earlier.

Both February 2010 and February 2011 contained 20 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.

Further Reading

-

You can view the full report by clicking here.