WASHINGTON – During August, poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.73 billion lbs., up 6% from the amount certified in August 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The July 2010 revised certified total at 3.58 billion lbs., was down 2% from July 2009, and it represented an increase of 32.1 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.


During August 2010, the preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected was 4.96 billion lbs., up 6% from 4.70 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.27 billion lbs., up 6% from August 2009. Totaling 75.1 million pounds, mature chickens were up 6% from the previous year.

Turkey inspections totaled 603 million lbs., up 4% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.0 million lbs., up 13% from last year.

During August 2010, young chickens slaughtered averaged 5.57 lbs. per bird, up slightly from August 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 lbs. per bird, up 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2010 averaged 28.0 lbs. per bird, down 1% from August 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2010 totaled 14.2 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.29% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.26% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.0 million lbs., were 0.90% of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.97% a year earlier.