August 2, 2006

US poultry numbers edges lower

According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, certified wholesome poultry weight in June 2006 was 3.666 billion pounds, a drop of 97 million pounds, or 2.5 percent compared to 3.763 billion for May 2006.

However the figure was still 1.7 percent above the 3.605 billion of June last year.

Ready-to-eat young chicken made up most of the total at 3.098 billion pounds, with all chicken at 3.145 billion and all turkey at 509.316 million.

The total chicken slaughter for June 2006 was down 2 percent from the previous month and 1 percent less than last year.

The average live weight for all chickens was 5.46 pounds, compared to 5.5 during May and 5.34 in June 2005.