January 28, 2013

During December 2012, US' poultry certified wholesome or ready-to-cook weight totalled 3.34 billion pounds, down 1% from the amount certified in December 2011.

According to USDA's monthly Poultry Slaughter report, the November 2012 revised certified total of 3.57 billion pounds rose 3% from November 2011. The November revision represented an increase of 1.96 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during December 2012 was 4.42 billion pounds, down 1% from 4.46 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.80 billion pounds, down slightly from December 2011. Mature chickens, at 59.1 million pounds, were down 9% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 550 million pounds, down 4% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.4 million pounds, down 5% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2012 averaged 5.91 pounds per bird, up 2% from December 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.07 pounds per bird, down 9% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2012 averaged 30.8 pounds per bird, up 2% from December 2011.

Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.21% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.1 million pounds, were 0.95% of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.95% a year earlier.