Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 11/25/09

Poultry certified wholesome during October (ready-to-cook weight)
totaled 3.63 billion pounds, down 7 percent from the amount certified in October 2008, according to USDA's Poultry Slaughter report.

The September revised certified total, at 3.59 billion pounds, was down 4 percent from September 2008. The September revision represented an increase of 829,000 pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during October was 4.82 billion pounds, down 8 percent from 5.23 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.10 billion pounds, down 7 percent from October 2008. Mature chickens, at 69.7 million pounds, were down 13 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 635 million pounds, down 13 percent from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during October averaged 5.67 pounds per bird, up slightly from October 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.84 pounds per bird, unchanged from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October averaged 28.4 pounds per bird, down 2 percent from October 2008.

October contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays, compared to 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays in October, 2008.

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