The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during March 2011 was 5.11 billion lbs., an increase of 4% from 4.92 billion lbs. one year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.39 billion lbs., up 4% from March 2010. Totaling 72.9 million lbs., mature chickens were up 5% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 631 million lbs., up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.7 million lbs., up 8% from last year.
During March, young chickens slaughtered averaged 5.75 lbs. per bird, up 2% from March 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.62 lbs. per bird, up 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2011 averaged 29.8 lbs. per bird, up 1% from March 2010.
Ante-mortem condemnations during March totaled 11.5 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected compared to 0.24% one year earlier. Totaling 39.4 million lbs., post-mortem condemnations were 1.01% of quantities inspected compared to 1.03% one year earlier.