Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 10/27/15

Poultry certified wholesome during September 2015 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.99 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the amount certified in September 2014, according to USDA's monthly Poultry Slaughtert report.

The August 2015 revised certified total at 3.92 billion pounds, was up 5 percent from August 2014. The August revision represented an increase of 835 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during September 2015 was 5.27 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 5.09 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.62 billion pounds, up 5 percent from September 2014. Mature chickens, at 68.9 million pounds, were down 3 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 564 million pounds, down 9 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 15.9 million pounds, up 5 percent from last year.

Bird size
Young chickens slaughtered during September 2015 averaged a record high 6.17 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from September 2014. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.30 pounds per bird, up 8 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2015 averaged 29.7 pounds per bird, down 3 percent from September 2014.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2015 totaled 13.3 million pounds.

Condemnations were 0.25 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.22 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 39.9 million pounds, were 0.99 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.96 percent a year earlier.

September 2014 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
September 2015 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

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