050440 Poultry Slaughter Rises in March

Washington - Poultry slaughter activity rose 3% above year earlier levels in March, with the USDA reporting 3.53 billion pounds was certified wholesome. Updated totals for February 2005 show that 3.08 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during March 2005 was 4.75 billion pounds, up 2% from 4.64 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.08 billion pounds, up 3% from March 2004, and mature chickens at 73.4 million pounds, were up 8% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 581 million pounds, down 3%, and ducks totaled 16.2 million pounds, up 9% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2005 averaged 5.23 pounds per bird, up 1% from March 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.47 pounds per bird, down 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2005 averaged 28.9 pounds per bird, up 6% from March 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during March 2005 totaled 20.3 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.43% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.38% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 55.6 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.30% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.34% a year earlier.

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