Poultry certified wholesome during April 2006 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.31 billion pounds, down 1 percent from the amount certified in April 2005. Updated totals for March 2006 show that 3.70 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during April 2006 was 4.42 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 4.49 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.79 billion pounds, down 1 percent from April 2005. Mature chickens, at 64.5 million pounds, were down 10 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 548 million pounds, down 3 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 16.0 million pounds, up 9 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2006 averaged 5.46 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from April 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.03 pounds per bird, up 10 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2006 averaged 28.3 pounds per bird, 2 percent below April 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2006 totaled 14.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.32 percent of the live weight inspected, the same as a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 45.8 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.15 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.16 percent a year earlier.

April 2006 contained 20 weekdays and five Saturdays, while April 2005 had 21 weekdays and five Saturdays.

Young Chickens: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2003-2006

Young Turkeys: Live Weight Slaughtered, By Month, 2003-2006