WASHINGTON – During November 2010, US poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.70 billion lbs., up 12% from the amount certified in November 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture. Totaling 3.76 billion lbs., the October 2010 revised certified total was up 3% from October 2009. The October revision represented an increase of 3.0 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during November 2010 was 4.90 billion lbs., up 12% from 4.39 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.17 billion lbs., up 12% from November 2009.


Totaling 63.5 million lbs., mature chickens were up 18% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 650 million lbs., up 9% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.8 million lbs., up 9% from last year.

During November 2010, young chickens slaughtered averaged 5.88 lbs. per bird, up 4% from November 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.19 lbs. per bird, up 8% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during November 2010 averaged 28.2 lbs. per bird, up 2% from November 2009.

During November 2010, ante-mortem condemnations totaled 10.9 million lbs. Condemnations totaled 0.22% of the live weight inspected compared to 0.22% one year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 35.9 million lbs., were 0.96% of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.97% one year earlier.