Poultry certified wholesome during March 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.86 billion pounds, up four per cent from the amount certified in March 2010. The February 2011 revised certified total at 3.34 billion pounds, was up four per cent from February 2010. The February revision represented an increase of 3.5 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during March 2011 was 5.11 billion pounds, up four per cent from 4.92 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.39 billion pounds, up four per cent from March 2010. Mature chickens, at 72.9 million pounds, were up five per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 631 million pounds, up three per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.7 million pounds, up eight per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2011 averaged 5.75 pounds per bird, two per cent more than March 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.62 pounds per bird, up three per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2011 averaged 29.8 pounds per bird, up one per cent from March 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during March 2011 totalled 11.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22 per cent of the live weight inspected, compared with 0.24 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 39.4 million pounds, were 1.01 per cent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.03 per cent a year earlier.

Both March 2010 and March 2011 contained 23 weekdays (including no holiday) and four Saturdays.

Further Reading

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