The April 2013 revised certified total increased 7 percent at 3.75 billion lbs., NASS reported. The April revision represented an increase of 2.50 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during May 2013 declined slightly to 5.09 billion lbs. from 5.11 billion lbs. a year ago, according to NASS. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.37 billion lbs., down slightly from May 2012. Mature chickens, at 72.2 million lbs., were down 3 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections eased 2 percent to 636 million lbs. Ducks totaled 13.9 million lbs., down 3 percent from 2012.
Young chickens slaughtered during May 2013 averaged 5.87 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent compared to a year ago. The average live weight of mature chickens advanced 3 percent to 5.42 lbs. per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2013 averaged 30.6 lbs. per bird, up 2 percent from a year ago, NASS reported.
Ante-mortem condemnations during May totaled 10.0 million lbs., according to NASS. Condemnations were flat at 0.20 percent of the live weight inspected. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.8 million lbs., were 0.95 percent of quantities inspected, compared to 0.92 percent a year ago.
