WASHINGTON – During May, poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.5 billion lbs., up 3% from the amount certified in May 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The April 2010 revised certified total at 3.54 billion lbs. was up 1% from April 2009. The April revision represents an increase of 7.2 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during May 2010 was 4.65 billion lbs., up 3% from 4.51 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.03 billion lbs., up 4% from May 2009.


Totaling 64.4 million lbs., mature chickens were down 1% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 546 million lbs., down 3% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 12.7 million lbs., up 2% from last year.

During May, young chickens slaughtered averaged 5.71 lbs. per bird, up 2% from May 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.58 lbs. per bird, down 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2010 averaged 29.7 lbs. per bird, up 3% from May 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2010 totaled 10.3 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.24% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.2 million lbs., were 0.94% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.03% one year earlier.