WASHINGTON – Poultry certified wholesome during April 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) climbed 1 percent to 3.52 billion lbs., according to the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The March 2012 revised certified total at 3.60 billion lbs., was down 7 percent from March 2011, NASS said. The March revision represented an increase of 430,000 lbs. from February’s preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during April 2012 was 4.66 billion lbs., up 1 percent from 4.60 billion lbs. in 2011, NASS said. Young chickens inspected advanced 1 percent to 3.99 billion lbs. Mature chickens declined 1 percent to at 65.7 million lbs. from 2011. Turkey inspections totaled 597 million lbs., an increase of 4 percent compared to the year-ago period. Ducks totaled 13.6 million lbs., up 1 percent from 2011, according to NASS.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2012 averaged 5.84 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from April 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens declined 10 percent to 5.06 lbs. per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2012 averaged 30.2 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from April 2011.

NASS reported ante-mortem condemnations during April 2012 totaled 9.30 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.20 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.22 percent compared to 2011. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.3 million lbs., were 0.93 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.98 percent in 2011.