Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/28/11

Poultry certified wholesome during January 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.64 billion pounds, up 10 percent from the amount certified in January 2010, according to USDA’s monthly Poultry Slaughter report.
The December 2010 revised certified total at 3.69 billion pounds, was up 6 percent from December 2009.

 The December revision represented an increase of 5.7 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during January 2011 was 4.83 billion pounds, up 10 percent from 4.40 billion pounds a year ago.

Young chickens inspected totaled 4.17 billion pounds, up 10 percent from January 2010. Mature chickens, at 63.9 million pounds, were up 5 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 581 million pounds, up 9 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.4 million pounds, up 16 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2011 averaged 5.85 pounds per bird, up 4 percent from January 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.51 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2011 averaged 30.8 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from January 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2011 totaled 13.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.27 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.30 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 38.2 million pounds, were 1.04 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.03 percent a year earlier.

January 2011 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
January 2010 contained 21 weekdays (including two holidays) and 5 Saturdays.

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