Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 11/26/14

Poultry certified wholesome during October 2014 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 4.15 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the amount certified in October 2013, according to USDA’s monthly Poultry Slaughter report.

The September 2014 revised certified total at 3.86 billion pounds, was up 7 percent from September 2013. The September revision represented an increase of 2.21 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during October 2014 was 5.47 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 5.35 billion pounds a year ago.

Young chickens inspected totaled 4.68 billion pounds, up 1 percent from October 2013. Mature chickens, at 74.4 million pounds, were up 1 percent from the previous year.

Turkey inspections totaled 700 million pounds, up 8 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 16.7 million pounds, up 10 percent from last year.

Weights rise
Young chickens slaughtered during October 2014 averaged 6.07 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from October 2013. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.95 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October 2014 averaged 30.2 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from October 2013.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October 2014 totaled 11.7 million pounds.

Condemnations were 0.21 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.20 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 40.0 million pounds, were 0.96 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.91 percent a year earlier.

October 2013 and 2014 both contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

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