Total broiler meat production in the US last April was 3.18 billion pounds, 10.2 percent more over April 2007, according to the USDA Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook report.

The number of slaughtered broilers went up by 7.8 percent in April to 769 million compared with April 2007 figures. The growth is a result of an extra slaughter day in April 2008.

The average liveweight of broilers at slaughter was 5.59 pounds, up 1.5 percent over April 2007.

Total broiler production for Q2 2008 is estimated at 9.3 billion pounds, up only 3.2 percent over the previous year.