WASHINGTON – Ready-to-cook poultry weights in January 2012 declined 1 percent compared to January 2011, according to data released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture.

Poultry certified wholesome during January 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.62 billion lbs., a decline of 1 percent from the amount certified in January 2011. The December 2011 revised certified total retreated 9 percent to 3.37 billion lbs.

The preliminary total live weight recorded in January 2012 was 4.80 billion lbs., down 1 percent from 4.84 billion lbs. a year ago, according to NASS. Young chickens inspected also declined 1 percent to 4.12 billion lbs. Mature chickens, at 67.9 million lbs., were up 6 percent from 2011. NASS said turkey inspections totaled 600 million lbs., up 3 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.3 million lbs., down 1 percent from 2011.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2012 averaged 5.84 lbs. per bird, down slightly from January 2011, according to NASS. The average live weight of mature chickens declined 4 percent in 2012 to 5.29 lbs per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2012 averaged 30.9 lbs. per bird, a slight increase compared to January 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2012 totaled 10.7 million lbs. NASS said condemnations were 0.22 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.27 percent in 2011. Post-mortem condemnations totaled 34.7 million lbs. and were 0.95 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.04 percent in 2011.