Poultry certified wholesome during December 2005 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.42 billion pounds, up 3 percent from the amount certified in December 2004. Updated totals for November 2005 show that 3.47 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during December 2005 was 4.59 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 4.47 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.95 billion pounds, up 3 percent from December 2004, but mature chickens at 67.1 million pounds, were down 3 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 555 million pounds, up 1 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 17.3 million pounds, up 7 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during December 2005 averaged 5.47 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from December 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.68 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during December 2005 averaged 28.6 pounds per bird, 3 percent above December 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during December 2005 totaled 17.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.38 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.47 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 47.6 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.15 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.28 percent a year earlier.

December 2005 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays.
December 2004 contained 23 weekdays (including two holidays) and four Saturdays.

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

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