WASHINGTON – During February, poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.33 billion lbs., up 4% from the amount certified in February 2010, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture.

Totaling 3.64 billion lbs., the January revised certified total was up 10% from January 2010. The January revision includes an increase of 2.66 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.


For February, the preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry totaled 4.42 billion lbs., up 4% from 4.27 billion lbs. one year earlier. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.80 billion lbs., up 4% from February 2010. Totaling 61.1 million lbs., mature chickens were up 9% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 549 million lbs., up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 12.6 million lbs., up 3% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during February averaged 5.76 lbs. per bird, up 2% from February 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.56 lbs. per bird, up 1% from a year ago. During February, turkeys slaughtered averaged 30.5 lbs. per bird, up 1% from February 2010.

During February, ante-mortem condemnations totaled 11.6 million lbs. Condemnations added up to 0.26% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.29% one year earlier. Totaling 36.7 million lbs., post-mortem condemnations were 1.09% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.03% a year earlier.