WASHINGTON – During October, US poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.76 billion lbs., up 3% from the amount certified in October 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture. The September revised certified total, which was 3.76 billion lbs., increased 5% compared to September 2009. The September revision represented an increase of 14.4 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during October was 4.98 billion lbs., up 3% from 4.83 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.25 billion lbs., up 3% from October 2009. Totaling 64.6 million lbs., mature chickens, were down 7%from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 655 million lbs., up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.5 million lbs., up 4% from last year.


During October, young chickens slaughtered averaged 5.87 lbs. per bird, up 4% from October 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 lbs. per bird, up 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during October averaged 28.4 lbs. per bird, down slightly from October 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during October totaled 10.7 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.21% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.8 million lbs., were 0.92% of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.95% one year earlier.