WASHINGTON – Poultry certified wholesome during September 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.43 billion lbs., down 7 percent from the amount certified in September 2011, according to the US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The August 2012 revised certified total of poultry increased 1.79 million lbs. to total 3.91 billion lbs., according to NASS.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during September 2012 declined 8 percent to 4.55 billion lbs. from 4.92 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.90 billion lbs., down 8 percent from September 2011. Mature chickens were down 6 percent from the previous year to 69.1 million lbs. Turkey inspections totaled 567 million lbs., down 5 percent from 2011. Ducks totaled 12.1 million lbs., down 12 percent from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during September 2012 averaged 5.88 lbs. per bird, up slightly from September 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens gained 2 percent to 5.89 lbs. per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2012 averaged 29.3 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from the comparable year-ago period.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2012 totaled 9.31 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.20 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.21 percent in 2011. Post-mortem condemnations, at 29.5 million lbs., were 0.85 percent of quantities inspected, compared to 0.90 percent in 2011.