WASHINGTON — Poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) for June totaled 3.60 billion lbs., down 2% from the amount certified in June last year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. At 3.39 billion lbs., the May 2009 revised certified total was down 9% from May last year. The May revision represented an increase of 499,000 lbs. from last month's preliminary lbs. certified.

Preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected in June hit 4.79 billion lbs., down 2% from 4.90 billion lbs. in June 2008. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.08 billion lbs., down 2% from June 2008. At 72.4 million lbs., mature chickens, were down 9% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 618 million lbs., down 6% from a year ago.

Ducks, totaling 13.0 million lbs., were up 5% compared to June last year.

Young chickens slaughtered in June averaged 5.54 lbs. per bird, down slightly from the same month last year. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.68 lbs. per bird, down 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during June averaged 28.5 lbs. per bird, down 1% from June 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations during June totaled 14.0 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.29% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.34% in June 2008. Totaling 37.2 million lbs., post-mortem condemnations were 1.02% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.15% compared to the same month last year.