Poultry certified wholesome during May 2005 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.54 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the amount certified in May 2004. Updated totals for April 2005 show that 3.35 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during May 2005 was 4.73 billion pounds, up 8 percent from 4.39 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.06 billion pounds, up 8 percent from May 2004, and mature chickens at 72.6 million pounds, were up 13 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 581 million pounds, up 3 percent, and ducks totaled 15.6 million pounds, up 13 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2005 averaged 5.36 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from May 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.59 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2005 averaged 28.4 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from May 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2005 totaled 15.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.32 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.38 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 48.8 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.15 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.19 percent a year earlier.

May 2005 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.
May 2004 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays.

Young Chickens: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2002-2005

Young Turkeys: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2002-2005