Poultry certified wholesome during April 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.48 billion pounds, down two per cent from the amount certified in April 2010. The March 2011 revised certified total at 3.87 billion pounds, was up four per cent from March 2010. The March revision represented an increase of 2.9 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during April 2011 was 4.60 billion pounds, down two per cent from 4.71 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.95 billion pounds, down three per cent from April 2010. Mature chickens, at 66.3 million pounds, were up two per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 571 million pounds, up one per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.4 million pounds, down slightly from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2011 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, up one per cent from April 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.63 pounds per bird, up five per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2011 averaged 30.0 pounds per bird, up one per cent from April 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2011 totalled 9.94 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.22 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.5 million pounds, were 0.98 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.97 per cent a year earlier.

April 2010 contained 22 weekdays (including no holidays) and four Saturdays, while April 2011 contained 21 weekdays (including no holidays) and five Saturdays.

Further Reading

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