U.S. poultry production on the increase

U.S. poultry production during September was up 5% on the year at 3.747 billion pounds thanks to increased live weight and higher slaughter numbers.

USDA reports the preliminary live weight of all poultry slaughtered was 4.983 billion pounds, 5% above a year ago, with 4.383 billion pounds of the total chicken. Turkey accounted for 583.980 million pounds and ducks made up 14.309 million.

September’s chicken slaughter was 3% ahead of a year ago at 764.644 million head, while turkeys were just about steady at 20.520 million head and ducks were up 8% at 2.075 million.

All chickens averaged 5.73 pounds per bird, 2% more than last year, with turkeys down 1% at 28.46 pounds and ducks up 1% at 6.9 pounds.

Ante-mortem condemnations were 11.362 million pounds, 4% more than last year and .23% of the total live weight, while post-mortem condemnations were 34.113 million pounds, 2% less than a year ago and .90% of the inspected total.

For the year to date, U.S. poultry production is 32.014 billion pounds, 2% above the 31.371 billion this time last year.