WASHINGTON – Ready-to-cook poultry weight during February 2013 totaled 3.39 billion lbs., down 2 percent from the amount certified in February 2012, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The January 2013 revised certified total climbed 6 percent to 3.85 billion lbs., NASS reported. The January revision represented an increase of 1.46 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified, NASS said.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during February eased 2 percent to 4.49 billion lbs. from 4.59 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.84 billion lbs., down 2 percent from the year-ago period. Mature chickens declined 2 percent from the previous year to 59.6 million lbs., NASS reported. Turkey inspections totaled 578 million lbs., down 1 percent from a year ago. Ducks slipped 1 percent to 13.3 million lbs.

Young chickens slaughtered during February averaged 5.91 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from February 2012. The average live weight of mature declined 3 percent to 5.38 lbs. per bird, NASS said. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2013 averaged 31.2 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from a year ago.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February totaled 9.95 million lbs., according to NASS. Condemnations were 0.22 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.21 percent in 2012. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.5 million lbs., were 1.07 percent of quantities inspected compared to 0.98 percent a year earlier.