Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/28/10

Poultry certified wholesome during November (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.7 billion pounds, up 12 percent from the amount certified in November 2009, according to USDA’s monthly Poultry Slaughter report.

The October revised certified total at 3.76 billion pounds, was up 3 percent from October 2009. The October revision represented an increase of 3.0 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during November was 4.9 billion pounds, up 12 percent from 4.39 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.17 billion pounds, up 12 percent from November 2009. Mature chickens, at 63.5 million pounds, were up 18 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 650 million pounds, up 9 percent from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during November averaged 5.88 pounds per bird, up 4 percent from November 2009.  The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.19 pounds per bird, up 8 percent from a year ago.  Turkeys slaughtered during November averaged 28.2 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from November 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during November totaled 10.9 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22 percent of the live weight inspected, unchanged from a year earlier.  Post-mortem condemnations, at 35.9 million pounds, were 0.96 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.97 percent a year earlier.

November 2010 contained 22 weekdays (including two holidays) and 4 Saturdays.

November 2009 contained 21 weekdays (including two holidays) and 4 Saturdays.

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